Treatment of Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, or other microorganisms. They can be contracted from an infected person, a carrier of the disease, contaminated surfaces, food, water, insects, or animals. Some infections are mild and resolve easily, while others may cause serious complications. For this reason, it is important to consult a doctor in time, undergo the necessary tests, and start appropriate treatment.
At Northway Medical Centres in Klaipėda, infectious disease treatment services are provided for adults. During the consultation, an infectious diseases specialist assesses the patient’s symptoms, the course of the illness, and possible sources of infection, prescribes the necessary tests, explains their results, and prepares an individual treatment or monitoring plan.
Most Common Infectious Diseases
The most common infectious diseases and related conditions include respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, rotavirus infection, skin infections, herpes infection, Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, salmonellosis, viral hepatitis A, B and C, tuberculosis, HIV infection, nervous system infections, parasitic infections, dysentery, malaria, travel-related infections, fever of unknown origin, persistent weakness, elevated inflammatory markers, and others.
When to Consult an Infectious Diseases Specialist
It is recommended to consult an infectious diseases specialist when symptoms persist, recur, their cause is unclear, or there is a risk that the complaints may be related to an infectious disease. A consultation is especially important if your condition does not improve, test results raise questions, or symptoms appeared after travelling, contact with an ill person, a tick bite, or possible exposure to infection.
You should consider booking an appointment with an infectious diseases specialist if:
fever lasts longer than usual or keeps recurring;
you experience weakness, fatigue, or night sweats of unknown origin;
lymph nodes become enlarged, or rashes or skin redness appear;
joint, muscle, or nervous system symptoms develop after a tick bite;
Lyme disease is suspected or has already been diagnosed;
digestive disorders occur after travelling, eating unusual food, or possible contact with an infection;
testing for viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections is needed;
infectious disease test results are unclear or require interpretation;
you are planning to travel to countries with a higher risk of infections;
you need a consultation regarding infectious disease prevention.
Timely consultation with a specialist can help identify the cause of symptoms more accurately, avoid unnecessary treatment, and reduce the risk of complications.
Commonly Prescribed Tests
A thorough assessment of the patient’s complaints, analysis of the course of the illness, and carefully selected tests are important for diagnosing infectious diseases. During the consultation, the infectious diseases specialist may recommend the following tests depending on the symptoms, possible route of infection, travel history, tick bites, or previously performed test results:
complete blood count;
inflammatory marker tests;
tests for tick-borne diseases;
tests for viral hepatitis A, B and C;
HIV test;
tests for gastrointestinal infections;
tests for parasitic infections;
tuberculosis tests;
other laboratory tests according to the clinical situation.
After evaluating the test results, the doctor explains their significance to the patient and prepares an individual treatment, monitoring, or prevention plan. If needed, a follow-up consultation, additional tests, or assessment by another specialist may be recommended.
Treatment of Infectious Diseases
Treatment of infectious diseases depends on the causative agent, symptoms, test results, the patient’s health condition, and the risk of possible complications. During the consultation, the infectious diseases specialist evaluates whether the infection is viral, bacterial, parasitic, or of another origin, and selects the most appropriate treatment approach accordingly.
Treatment may include antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, or symptom-relieving medication, monitoring, repeat tests, prevention recommendations, and vaccinations. Antibiotics are prescribed only when they are necessary and clinically justified. If an infectious disease may be related to damage to other organ systems, the patient may be referred for an additional consultation with another medical specialist.
Timely treatment of infectious diseases helps reduce the risk of complications, manage symptoms more quickly, and establish a clear plan for further care.
Prevention of Infectious Diseases
Prevention of infectious diseases helps reduce the risk of infection, avoid a more severe course of illness, and prevent possible complications. It is especially important before travelling, after contact with an ill person, following a tick bite, when planning vaccinations, or when there is an increased risk of certain infections.
During the consultation, the infectious diseases specialist can assess individual risk, discuss the need for vaccinations and booster doses, protective measures during travel, and other ways to prevent infections. For infectious disease prevention, Northway Medical Centres offer vaccinations against the most common infections.