What types of tests/procedures are performed for infected disease patients?
. By doing a complete history and exam of the patient, I can usually get a good idea of what disease they have. After diagnosis, I can follow-up with a specific treatment plan. Depending on how sick the patient is, blood cultures can be administered and sent to the lab to determine the type and strain of bacteria. Bacteria are getting more and more unpredictable, so by testing with a panel of antibiotics, we can determine proper treatment. Most viral diseases are left untreated and rely on the immune system to fight off the disease. With bacterial infections, antibiotics help the process along.
