Subspecialty Careers: Infectious Disease

The Discipline

From the Latin word inficere, "to dye or stain" but also "to corrupt or spoil." The ancients conceived that disease could result from the entrance of invisible agents into the body, a sort of "tainting."

Infectious disease medicine requires an understanding of the microbiology, prevention, and management of disorders caused by viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. This understanding includes the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents, vaccines, and other immunobiological agents. Important content includes the environmental, occupational, and host factors that predispose to infection, as well as the basic principles of epidemiology and transmission of infection.

Procedures

Important procedural skills include the proper collection of culture specimens, Gram and other staining techniques. The specialist in infectious disease is an expert in ordering and interpreting antibiotic sensitivity tests and serum levels, CD4 counts, ELISA, polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting studies, and serology for infections.

Training

Infectious disease fellowship training requires two years of accredited training beyond general internal medicine residency. During the two years, a minimum of 12 months must include clinical training in the diagnosis and management of a broad spectrum of medical diseases.

Certification

The American Board of Internal Medicine offers certification in infectious disease.

Training Positions

For the 2015-2016 academic year, there are 148 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited training programs in Infectious Disease with 734 active positions.

Major Professional Society
Major Publications

 

Back to March 2016 Issue of IMpact