Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

What Conditions Does Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Treat?

Infectious diseases encompass a wide spectrum that can affect almost every organ in the body. Our specialist physicians meticulously manage numerous conditions requiring both outpatient and inpatient care. The main diseases diagnosed and treated in our department include:

• Flu and Respiratory Tract Infections: Illnesses affecting the respiratory system, such as seasonal flu (influenza), COVID-19, pneumonia, and acute bronchitis.
• Types of Jaundice (Hepatitis): Acute and chronic management of viral infections that cause liver inflammation, such as Hepatitis A, B, and C.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Infections where early diagnosis is vital, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, HPV, and HIV/AIDS.
• Tuberculosis (TB): A disease affecting the lungs and sometimes other organs, requiring long-term and regular treatment.
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Frequently recurring, complicated urinary tract infections affecting the kidneys and bladder.
• Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Infections manifesting with redness, swelling, and heat on the skin, such as cellulitis and erysipelas.
• Meningitis and Encephalitis: Serious infections involving inflammation of the brain membranes and brain tissue, requiring emergency intervention.
• Parasitic and Tropical Diseases: Malaria, intestinal parasites, and unexplained febrile illnesses emerging after travel.

Our Advanced Microbiology Laboratory

The key to success in treating infectious diseases is accurate and rapid diagnosis. At BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi, we have an advanced clinical microbiology laboratory that operates at international standards. Treatments initiated without exactly identifying the microorganism causing the disease prolong the recovery process and pave the way for antibiotic resistance. Therefore, our laboratory infrastructure is the heart of our diagnostic process.

The primary methods we apply in our laboratory include:

• Culture Tests: Samples taken from areas such as blood, urine, sputum, throat swabs, or wounds are cultured in special environments. This allows for the precise identification of the bacteria or fungus causing the disease.
• Antibiogram: A vital test that determines which antibiotics the cultured bacteria are sensitive or resistant to. This test ensures the most effective drug with the fewest side effects is chosen directly to eliminate the microbe, rather than using a trial-and-error approach.
• Molecular Diagnostic Tests (PCR): Advanced technology tests used particularly in the detection of viruses and slow-growing bacteria by identifying the genetic material (DNA/RNA) of the microorganism. PCR tests make it possible to establish a definitive diagnosis within hours.
• Serological Tests: By measuring the antibodies produced by the body against infections, these tests allow us to determine whether the disease is acute (currently ongoing) or was experienced in the past.

Treatment Methods and Applications

Treatment for infectious diseases is personalized according to the type and severity of the disease, as well as your general health condition. For mild infections that can be managed on an outpatient basis, oral antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungal medications are prescribed, and your recovery process is supported with rest and nutritional advice.

For more severe infections accompanied by high fever or threatening organ functions, inpatient treatment is provided. Patients receiving inpatient care at our hospital are administered intravenous (IV) drug therapies, and their fluid and electrolyte balances are closely monitored. Additionally, the follow-up and treatment of patients with weakened immune systems (such as those undergoing cancer treatment or organ transplants) are carried out with great care in special isolation rooms to protect them from infections.

Technology and Team

As a JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited healthcare institution, BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi maintains patient safety at the highest level. Our Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases department has a strong team consisting of expert physicians and experienced laboratory technicians.

Infectious diseases can often create complex scenarios that involve other medical branches. Therefore, our physicians work in multidisciplinary harmony with other departments such as internal medicine, pulmonology, general surgery, and intensive care. Our special committee established for the prevention and control of hospital infections ensures that sterilization and hygiene standards are fully implemented in every area of our hospital.

When Should You Visit the Infectious Diseases Department?

Your body sends you various signals while fighting an infection. Reading these signals correctly and consulting a specialist physician in a timely manner stops the progression of the disease. If you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, you should consult our Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases department:

• Unexplained and Persistent Fever: Body temperature that lasts for days, has no known cause, and rises again despite antipyretics.
• Swollen Lymph Nodes: Painful or painless lumps you can feel in your neck, armpits, or groin areas.
• Persistent Diarrhea and Digestive Issues: Diarrhea lasting more than three days, which may be bloody or mucousy, accompanied by severe abdominal pain.
• Persistent Cough and Shortness of Breath: Severe respiratory complaints, especially when accompanied by yellow, green, or rust-colored sputum.
• Urinary Tract Complaints: Burning or stinging during urination, a frequent urge to urinate, blood in the urine, or foul odor.
• Abnormal Skin Changes: Redness, increased heat, swelling, and inflamed sores that appear suddenly anywhere on the body and spread rapidly.
• Symptoms After Suspicious Contact: Discharge, itching, warts, or sores in the genital area following unprotected sexual intercourse.
• General Deterioration of Health: Extreme fatigue, severe muscle and joint pain, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss.

Appointment and Examination Process

Infectious diseases can be situations where time is of the essence and early intervention saves lives. You can consult our specialists for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment without delaying your complaints. When you come to our hospital, our physician will listen to your symptoms, perform a detailed physical examination, and then request the necessary laboratory tests to initiate the most appropriate treatment process for you.

Booking an appointment with our department is extremely easy. You can schedule your appointment by calling our 24/7 call center at 0850 811 34 00, or you can create an online appointment through our website. We are here for your health; you can apply to us with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are infectious diseases?

Infectious diseases is a medical specialty that studies, diagnoses, and treats illnesses caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in the body. Preventing the spread of these diseases in the community and keeping hospital infections under control are also among the duties of this department.

Do I need to fast for a blood test?

While some specific blood tests requested for infectious diseases do not require fasting, an 8 to 10-hour fast is generally preferred if a general evaluation will be made or if additional biochemistry tests like liver enzymes or blood sugar are requested. When booking your appointment or when your physician requests a test, they will guide you accurately on this matter.

When should testing for sexually transmitted infections be done?

It is recommended to get tested without delay after a suspicious contact or when you notice symptoms like discharge, burning, sores, or warts in the genital area. Because some diseases have an incubation period, your physician will determine the most appropriate timing for the test based on the time elapsed since the contact. Early diagnosis is crucial for both the success of the treatment and the prevention of transmission.

Should I visit the infectious diseases department for the flu and common cold?

Yes, you can consult our department, especially for severe flu cases accompanied by high fever, severe muscle pain, persistent cough, or shortness of breath. Expert evaluation is of great importance for initiating the correct antiviral treatment and preventing potential complications such as pneumonia.

What is antibiotic resistance and why is it dangerous?

Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria develop immunity against the antibiotic drugs used to destroy them, rendering the medication ineffective. Unnecessary use, incorrect dosage, or prematurely stopping the use of antibiotics lead to this resistance. Treating infections caused by resistant bacteria is much more difficult, prolonged, and risky. Therefore, antibiotics should only be used with a physician's recommendation.