1. What Does the Department of Infectious Diseases Do?

The Department of Infectious Diseases is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of different types of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms. Furthermore, the department offers consultations on fever, various infectious diseases, and antibiotic usage from other departments. The department primarily treats the following diseases: 

* Respiratory infections (e.g., pneumonia, etc.)

* Gastrointestinal infections (e.g., diarrhea with fever, etc.) 

* Urinary tract infections (e.g., acute pyelonephritis)

* Central nervous system infections (e.g., meningitis)

* Infective endocarditis

* Skin and soft tissue infections and osteomyelitis

* Unexplained fever

* Infectious diseases after organ transplantation (e.g., liver transplant, kidney transplant, bone marrow transplant, etc.)

* Opportunistic infections in patients with AIDS

* Treatment of various infectious diseases (e.g., typhoid fever and bacterial dysentery, malaria, etc.) 

2. What are Microorganisms?

Microorganisms refer to small organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Various types of microorganisms exist everywhere; however, some of them can cause extremely fatal diseases. These disease-causing microorganisms are called pathogens. All diseases caused by the microorganisms in our bodies are called infectious diseases. These range from mild diseases (e.g., colds) to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) that has become a global health issue and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) that has recently become a major cause for concern. These are antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, which are considered dangerous and fatal. As a result, the infection is becoming increasingly problematic. 

3. How are Infectious Diseases Treated?

Infectious diseases may be treated with antibiotics, which are commonly known to be effective against bacteria. Individuals with a weakened immune system are the most susceptible to viral infections and mycotic (mold) infections; therefore, it is necessary to treat them with antiviral or antifungal medications. However, surgical treatment may be required for diseases that are difficult to treat with antibiotics.

In 1928, Dr. Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, in which a blue mold in a petri dish terminated the growth of the staphylococcus. The process was subsequently refined into penicillin. Eventually, a large number of antibiotics were developed against infectious diseases, thus saving countless lives. Given these effects, however, the misuse of antibiotics resulted in antibiotic resistance 60 years after their initial use, thereby making it more difficult to treat infectious diseases. For this reason, it is important to use antibiotics only when deemed necessary.