Stopping disease before it spreads
Infectious diseases may be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. These diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. Baylor Scott & White Health has physicians on the medical staff certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in both infectious diseases and internal medicine. Infectious disease physicians are also trained in outpatient antibiotic infusion and travel medicine.
Prevention is the key to stopping the spread of many infectious diseases and can sometimes make the difference between life and death. Hand-washing is an important means of preventing the spread of infection.
Types of infectious diseases treated
Some common infectious diseases that we treat across Texas include:
- Fever of unknown origin (FUO)
- Fungal infections
- Gastrointestinal infections
- HIV/AIDS and associated opportunistic infections
- Mycobacterial infections
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Common cold
- Bacteremia/sepsis
- Bone and joint infections
- Central nervous system infections
- Infections in immunocompromised patients (transplant, cancer chemotherapy, etc.)
- Endocarditis and endovascular infections
- Meningitis
- Flu
- Lyme disease
- Malaria
- Tuberculosis
- West Nile virus
- Whooping cough
Infectious diseases treatment options
Depending on the cause of your infection, Baylor Scott & White offers treatment options that include pain relief, vaccination and medication.
Outpatient antibiotic infusion
Patients receive their antibiotic medications via intravenous infusion in a private or semi-private room.
Travel medicine
Medical advice and intervention for international travelers who are at risk of acquiring infectious diseases during their planned activities. Travel medicine treatment includes pretravel health counseling, post-travel follow-up and evaluation, and post-travel health education.
Pain relief, vaccination and medication
Depending on the cause of your infection, Baylor Scott & White offers treatment options that include pain relief, vaccination and medication.
Specialized centers for infectious disease treatment
Baylor Scott & White HIV Clinic
Baylor Scott & White offers an HIV Clinic in Central Texas. The clinic serves as your contact for many lifestyle transitions, such as obtaining medication, managing your medication, counseling and coping with your chronic disease.
Frequently asked questions
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What is the most common type of infectious disease?
Many different types of infectious diseases exist, and at least one of them will affect more than 300 million people globally each year. The most commonly diagnosed infectious diseases in the United States are influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus and rotavirus.
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Are there different categories of infectious disease?
Yes, infectious diseases are often categorized as either acute or chronic. Acute infections usually result in a short-term illness that can be easily treated and cured. Many serious and chronic infections fall into this category as well. Chronic infectious disease is also called persistent infection, because it persists for a much longer period.
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What is the difference between an infectious disease and an epidemic?
An epidemic is the occurrence of more cases of infectious disease than expected in a given area or among a specific group of people over a particular period of time. In other words, all epidemics are comprised of high cases of infectious disease in a short period of time, but some infectious diseases are endemic (constantly present) and are therefore not considered an epidemic.
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What is an outpatient antibiotic infusion?
During an outpatient antibiotic infusion, patients receive their antibiotic medications via intravenous (IV) infusion while they occupy private or semi-private rooms.
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What is infectious disease travel medicine?
Infectious disease travel medicine is defined as medical advice and intervention for international travelers who are at risk of acquiring infectious diseases during their planned activities. Infectious disease travel medicine includes three main components: pretravel health counseling, post-travel follow-up and evaluation, and post-travel health education.