Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene
The Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene specializes in the outpatient and inpatient evaluation and treatment of patients with all types of infectious diseases and immune system disorders. In addition, the clinic is committed to the education and training of students and physicians in the field of infectious diseases.
We care for patients with infectious diseases
- at the general infectious diseases clinic.
- at the HIV clinic.
- in the emergency room.
- in the inpatient wards of the Department of Internal Medicine and in all clinics at the University Hospital.
We advise physicians on issues related to infectious diseases and hospital hygiene, both in private practices and at external hospitals. We detect and prevent hospital-acquired infections. We also provide support to healthcare workers who have been exposed to infections transmitted through blood or bodily fluids. In our clinical and laboratory settings, we conduct research on infectious diseases and are actively involved in teaching, training, and continuing education in the fields of infectious diseases and hospital hygiene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Infectious diseases is a medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. This involves a wide range of tasks:
- Diagnosis and Treatment: Infectious disease specialists identify and treat bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. They develop treatment plans, often in collaboration with other specialists.
- Prevention: Infectious disease specialists work to prevent infectious diseases, for example, through vaccination programs, hygiene guidelines, and the control of disease outbreaks.
- Consultation and Support: They advise other physicians and medical staff on the treatment of infections and issues related to hospital hygiene.
- Research: Infectious disease specialists conduct research on new pathogens, drug resistance, and treatments in order to continuously improve treatment options.
- Training: They are also actively involved in training physicians in the fields of infectious diseases and hospital hygiene.
Infectious diseases include conditions caused by the entry and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in the body. Here are a few examples:
Bacterial infections:
- Tuberculosis: Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Pneumonia: an infection of the lungs, often caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- Staphylococcal infections: such as skin infections or MRSA.
Viral Infections:
- Flu (Influenza): Caused by influenza viruses.
- HIV/AIDS: Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
- Hepatitis: Various types, such as hepatitis A, B, C, and D, that affect the liver.
- COVID-19: Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Fungal Infections:
- Candida infections: e.g., oral thrush or vaginal yeast infections.
- Aspergillosis: A Lung Infection Caused by Mold
Parasitic Infections:
- Malaria: Caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted by mosquitoes.
- Toxoplasmosis: Caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, often transmitted by cats or contaminated food.
Zoonoses (diseases transmissible from animals to humans):
- Lyme disease: Caused by tick bites, often by Borrelia bacteria.
- Rabies: A viral disease usually transmitted through bites from infected animals.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs):
These diseases vary in severity, mode of transmission, and treatment options, making infectious diseases a broad and complex field.
