Treating Infectious Diseases at Avita

Avita Health System’s Infectious Disease Department provides comprehensive care for a broad range of infections. We offer treatment for common as well as serious and difficult-to-diagnose and treat infections, including rare conditions caused by emerging pathogens and multidrug-resistant microbes.

Infectious diseases are caused by microbes such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. These microbes can affect any part of the body. They can be acquired from undercooked food, contaminated water, exposures encountered by travel to a new geographic location, animal and arthropod bites/exposures, but most are transmitted person-to-person or from organisms that typically live on the body that accidently gain entrance inside the body.

To help reduce your risk of infectious diseases, you should wash your hands often, avoid contact with ill persons, take precautions against insect/animal bites, don’t share personal items, use safe cooking practices, avoid illicit drug use and unsafe sexual practices, follow public health guidance and advisories, and stay up-to-date on recommended vaccinations.

At Avita Health System, expert care is available to diagnosis and treat both sudden and chronic (long-term) infections. Our team takes a comprehensive approach to care for your infection. Successful management starts with an accurate diagnosis and extends to targeted treatment using antimicrobial agent(s) against the identified microbe(s).

The Infectious Disease Department treats the following conditions and more:

  • General infectious diseases
  • Urinary tract infections including recurrent and difficult to treat infections
  • HIV infection (to include HIV pre-exposure and post-exposure management and treatment of those infected with HIV) 
  • Acute and chronic viral hepatitis to include hepatitis A, B or C
  • Mycobacterial infections including tuberculosis and non-TB organisms
  • Fevers of unknown origin (a fever that will not go away or recurs)
  • Histoplasmosis and other fungal infections
  • Clostridioides difficile and other gastrointestinal illnesses to include Giardia and Salmonella species (infections of the intestines from the environment, food or water).
  • Infections related to diabetes including diabetic foot infections
  • Endocarditis (infection of the heart and heart valves)
  • Bloodstream and catheter / port infections 
  • Meningitis and encephalitis (infections of the brain and spinal cord)
  • Syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, Mycoplasma genitalium and other sexually transmitted infections
  • Herpetic infections including herpes simplex, mononucleosis, and varicella (Shingles) viruses
  • Tick- or mosquito-borne infections (infections transmitted via ticks and mosquitoes such as Lyme disease and West Nile Virus)
  • Pneumonia and respiratory infections
  • Emerging infections such as COVID
  • Skin and soft tissue infections to include MRSA
  • Wound infection (at all sites including infections of lower extremity including those associated with venous stasis ulcers)
  • Osteomyelitis and vertebral discitis (infections involving bone or the spine)
  • Postoperative infections (infections complicating or resulting from surgery)
  • Infections of prosthetic devices and implants (infections of joint replacements, pacemakers or other devices)
  • Zoonotic infections (infections from animals)
  • Travel medicine (managing infections resulting from travel)
  • Infectious Diseases prevention

Examples of common symptoms of infectious diseases may include:

  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Rash or swelling
  • Muscle aches
  • Chills and sweats
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough or sore throat
  • New onset localized pain

In addition to patient care, Avita is committed to infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship. This includes developing strategies to reduce the risk of infection after surgical procedures and in people who are hospitalized. In addition, they are skilled in the optimal use of antimicrobials, which reduces the chance of developing drug resistance. Avita offers vaccination and preventive strategies to protect their patients and to promote health and well-being, including for novel diseases such as COVID.