Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases

Microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungus, and parasites cause infectious disorders.

Doctors suspect an infection based on symptoms, physical examination findings, and risk factors. First, doctors determine whether the patient is suffering from an infection or another sort of illness. Once doctors have determined that the patient has an infection, they must determine which microorganism is causing the infection. An infection can be caused by a variety of bacteria. For example, viruses, bacteria, and, in rare cases, fungi can all cause pneumonia. Each microorganism is treated differently. When a microbe is found, doctors can perform susceptibility testing to determine which medications are most effective against it, allowing effective treatment to begin sooner.