Private Fatih Hospital Infectious Diseases and Microbiology departments work on the diagnosis, examination and treatment of diseases caused by microorganisms in our body.
Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Department Diagnosis and Treatment Services
While the cause of many diseases is unknown today, the cause of infectious diseases is known. Infectious diseases specialists, who examine these diseases in Private Fatih Hospital, provide services in the fields of outpatient or inpatient follow-up, nosocomial infections, travel diseases and adult vaccination.
The main purpose of the research conducted in our unit is to detect viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites that cause disease in the body and to apply the relevant diagnosis and treatment methods.
Normally, many organisms live in our bodies and are harmless. In fact, most bacteria help our body. However, under certain conditions some organisms can cause disease.
In Infectious Diseases and Microbiology departments; Infectious diseases caused by many microorganisms, including bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic diseases, are diagnosed and treated.
Viral infections, in particular, are infections caused by viruses. Viruses, like bacteria, can be found in any environment, but they need a living microorganism, as they cannot reproduce on their own like bacteria. This can often lead to the transmission of certain diseases from person to person or by insects or other animals.
Infectious diseases from person to person; It can be transmitted through food, water, air or contact, as well as by exposure to organisms in the environment.
The signs and symptoms of infectious diseases may vary depending on the organism causing the infection. The two most common symptoms of infectious diseases are fever and fatigue. For mild infectious diseases, rest and home medication can be given. However, since some types of infections can be life-threatening, intervention in the hospital setting is required.
Reasons
Causes of Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases can be produced by our body itself, or they can occur through transmission.
bacteria
These single-celled organisms are found almost everywhere. There are various bacteria in the soil, air, water and human body. Treatment of bacteria is usually done with antibacterial drugs. Bacteria are most responsible for diseases such as throat, urinary tract infections and tuberculosis. In addition, they can cause diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis or laryngitis.
viruses
Although smaller than bacteria, viruses cause a multitude of illnesses, from the common cold to AIDS. Unlike bacteria, the use of antibiotics has no effect on viruses.
Since viruses cannot reproduce on their own, they destroy the cells they host when they enter the body and begin to spread. Although specific vaccines have been developed for some viruses, vaccines for many diseases have not been found yet. The most common causes of viruses are as follows;
common cold
acute bronchitis
Flu
Laryngitis
Measles
Rubella
Hepatitis
AIDS
coronavirus (COVID-19)
Mushrooms
Although fungal disease usually occurs on the skin surface, it can rarely spread to the internal organs. The fungus usually manifests itself with itching and watery lesions on the hairy area, fingernails and toenails, groin area, or on the skin surface.
It can also infect the lungs, nervous system or bones. Fungus is one of the fastest spreading diseases, so it must be treated as soon as possible.
parasites
Parasites try to survive by using another living thing as a host. These mansions; Small creatures such as mosquitoes, lice, pinworms, scabies, worms or tapeworms can be accompanied by humans.
As the parasites try to feed on the host to which they are attached, symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, diarrhea or bone pain occur in humans and animals. Some parasites can also be transmitted from animals to humans through feces. Especially pregnant women should be careful against toxoplasma parasite.
Risk factors
Almost everyone has been exposed to some form of infectious disease in their lifetime. However, infectious diseases affect people with weakened immune systems more.
Especially people who have had organ transplant surgery, people with HIV or AIDS, malnutrition and the elderly are at higher risk of contracting infectious diseases.
Symptoms
What are the Symptoms of Infectious Diseases?
Some infectious diseases can be prevented by vaccination, and people are immunized with the vaccination method. These diseases can be infectious diseases such as measles or chickenpox. Immunity against diseases can be increased with pre-school and school period vaccinations.
Infectious diseases may exhibit symptoms that vary depending on the type, but in general, the symptoms of infectious diseases are;
Fire
Diarrhea
Tiredness
Muscle pains
It is observed as coughing.
Some infectious diseases are not contagious. Some infections caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses in our body may not be contagious. Some diseases can also be transmitted from animals or people by contact or by air.
If the following conditions are observed, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.
Being bitten by an animal
Shortness of breath
Sudden severe cough
Fire
Headache
redness or swelling
Sudden vision problems
Diagnostic Methods
Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases are clarified with the laboratory tests requested by the physician after the symptoms and physical examination in the person.
For example, a patient who presents with complaints such as coughing and breathing may have pneumonia (lung infection). However, a patient with the same symptoms (not caused by infection) may also face diseases such as asthma or heart failure.
Different tests may be requested by the doctor using chest X-ray or other diagnostic methods in order to distinguish diseases that show the same symptoms. Thus, it can be understood whether the disease develops due to infection or not.
After doctors confirm that the person has an infection, they can usually use tests and imaging to find out which specific microorganism is causing the infection. Many different microorganisms can cause a particular infection. For example, pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria and, rarely, fungi. Treatment of infectious diseases may differ for each microorganism.
Many different laboratory tests can identify microorganisms. Use a sample of blood, urine, sputum, or other fluid or tissue from the body for laboratory tests
Treatment Methods
Treatment of Infectious Diseases
Treatment of infectious diseases may vary depending on which microorganism is causing the infection. Generally, antibiotic treatment is applied in bacterial infections, while in viral infections, the patient is given rest and antiviral drugs.
In diseases that develop due to fungal or parasitic infections, the patient is treated by giving antifungal drugs or antiparasitic drugs.