​Infectious disease care at The Christ Hospital Health Network

If you’ve ever caught a cold or come down with the flu, you know how quickly and easily illnesses can spread. We’re constantly exposed to germs that travel through the air, linger on doorknobs or contaminate food. 

Most of us get over common bugs and seasonal illnesses with time and extra rest. But some infectious diseases won’t go away on their own. Without treatment from a doctor, they can cause serious complications. 

At The Christ Hospital Health Network, our Infectious Disease specialists manage severe illnesses caused by harmful bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses. If you are suffering a severe, complicated or rare infectious disease, whether acute or chronic, you can count on our team for complete care and support.

No matter what type of germ caused your illness, we’ll help you fight it swiftly and safely—and make sure your recovery goes smoothly.

Infectious Diseases we treat

Physicians at The Christ Hospital Health Network have experience diagnosing and treating most infectious diseases, including those that are rare or newly identified. Their areas of expertise include:

  • HIV infection (to include HIV post-exposure management) 

  • Acute and chronic viral hepatitis to include hepatitis A, B or C

  • Tuberculosis

  • Fevers of unknown origin (a fever that will not go away or recurs)

  • Histoplasmosis and other fungal infections

  • Clostridioides difficile colitis and other gastrointestinal illnesses to include Giardia, Listeria and Salmonella species (infections of the intestines from the environment, food or water).

  • Endocarditis (infection of the heart and heart valves)

  • Bloodstream and catheter / port infections 

  • Meningitis and encephalitis (infections of the brain and spinal cord)

  • Syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections

  • Tick- or mosquito-borne infections (infections transmitted via ticks and mosquitoes such as malaria, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Lyme disease)

  • Pneumonia

  • Skin and soft tissue infections to include MRSA (infections of the skin or muscles).

  • 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 

At The Christ Hospital Health Network, we offer education and preventive services to patients who want to lower their risk of getting an infectious disease. These include people who:

  • Are planning to travel to a foreign country.

  • Desire HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PreP)

  • Suffer recurrent infection

  • Suffer an immune deficiency

  • Engage in high-risk activities such as sharing needles or having unprotected sex

Infectious Diseases treatment

Because infectious disease symptoms vary widely and range from mild to severe, our doctors care for patients on an outpatient basis and in the hospital. 

Your treatment plan will depend on several factors, including the type of germ that made you sick, what symptoms you have and whether your infection is curable or chronic. We offer the full range of medical and surgical therapies for infectious diseases, including: 

  • Antibiotic medicines to treat bacteria

  • Antiviral drugs to treat viruses from multiplying and reduce the length or severity of your illness

  • Antifungal and antiparasitic medicines to treat fungi or parasites

  • Surgery to remove an infected medical device, artificial joint, tissue or organ

Why choose The Christ Hospital Health Network 

It’s natural to feel frightened when you’re diagnosed with a potentially serious infection. But you can take comfort knowing our Infectious Diseases team is among the most experienced in Cincinnati. 

  • All our Infectious Diseases physicians have advanced subspecialty training (called fellowship training) and are board certified in Infectious Diseases medicine

  • Our Infectious Diseases physicians work closely with your doctor to provide timely and comprehensive care

  • Our integrated network gives you prompt access to multispecialty care if you need it -- Infectious Diseases specialists at The Christ Hospital Health Network work closely with other specialists to manage complications caused by infection