Common Infectious Diseases Doctors See Most

Coronavirus covid-19 concept, Unhealthy Asian woman sneezing and cough without protective face mask, ill, sick, from virus and air pollution PM2.5

Infectious diseases–we all have them from time to time. They are illnesses and conditions caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Today’s immunologists and epidemiologists conduct research to identify and combat the causes and carriers (vectors) of the simplest to most complex infections. Let’s look at the most common infectious diseases doctors see.

Infectious Disease 101

Primary care physicians function on the frontline of infectious disease diagnosis and treatment. People see their PCPs with a whole host of disruptive and sometimes puzzling symptoms, such as:

  • Fever
  • Body aches and pains
  • Skin rashes and other changes in skin color and texture
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Wheezing
  • Poor appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue

So, it’s the doctor’s job to examine the patient, discuss the symptoms, diagnose the illness, and prescribe medications and other treatments. Treatments must alleviate the symptoms and also eliminate or control the causative agent if possible.

Also, healthcare providers help identify the carriers, or vectors, of infections. This is especially true of epidemiologists, highly trained doctors who work to understand how infections spread through populations.

Examples of vectors are:

  • Body fluids, such as blood, urine, saliva, and respiratory droplets from a cough or sneeze
  • Soil
  • Food
  • Animals
  • Insects and spiders

Common Infectious Diseases Doctor See

Globally, there are countless infectious diseases. Some of the most damaging have been COVID-19, polio, and influenza, among others.

However, what infections does the average PCP see on a regular basis? Here are five of the infections most frequently seen and treated by healthcare providers.

The Common Cold

While “common,” this upper respiratory infection leads to numerous symptoms which vary in severity depending on the patient’s age and overall health condition. Symptoms include:

  • Sneezing and coughing
  • Tiredness
  • Watery, itchy eyes
  • Scratchy, sore throat

The typical cold runs about seven to 10 days, and while people may see their PCPs for some relief, there’s little that he or she can do.

Caused by a staggering number of different viruses, the common cold cannot be “cured” with antibiotics, the way a bacterial infection, such as a UTI, can. Palliation, or symptom relief, is the best treatment. That means rest, fluids, over-the-counter decongestants, and more as recommended by the physician.

Unfortunately, colds are highly contagious through respiratory droplets and person-to-person contact. So, it’s best to self-isolate for a day or two until symptoms are under control.

Flu

Also called influenza, the flu seems to be seasonal, occurring and spreading during times of the year when people are confined indoors. Like the common cold, the flu is a virus, but thankfully, there are vaccines available each year ahead of the flu season. These vaccines arm the body’s natural immunity, and they represent researchers’ best guess as to which flu strain will prevail in a particular year.

Symptoms can be similar to the common cold, only much more intense including extreme body aches, fever, and GI upset.  Upon diagnosis, doctors may prescribe antiviral medications which are most effective early in the course of the infection. Sadly, influenza can be deadly in at-risk populations, such as infants, people with cancer, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, such as asthma or COPD.

E. coli Infection

Also known as food poisoning, e-coli illness is a bacterial infection. The vector is contaminated food, such as hamburger meat, or fresh vegetables, such as lettuce.

E.coli infection features abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, and while most illnesses clear themselves in a week or so, others can be severe. So, when people see their PCPs with these GI symptoms, the doctor likely will recommend rest and plenty of fluids. Antibiotics are ineffective as are antidiarrheal medications, such as Immodium.

Hepatitis C

While there are other varieties of this liver infection, Hepatitis C has become the most common and most treatable. A blood-borne infection, Hep C happens to people who have contracted infected blood, particularly through shared needles.

Symptoms include:

Antiviral medications can clear this potentially dangerous infection, and doctors now recommend routine screening for people ages 18 and up.

Upstate Medical University Department of Medicine

For the latest and most astute infectious disease diagnosis, treatment, and frontline research, see one of our specialists at our four infectious disease locations in the northern New York region. Find our location nearest you here or email us for a consultation at DeptMedicine@upstate.edu. We look forward to helping you feel your best!