An infectious disease (ID) specialist is a doctor of Internal Medicine who has added qualification in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.  After seven or more years of medical school and postgraduate training, ID specialists complete two to three years of additional training in Infectious Diseases.

ID specialists have expertise in infections of:

• Sinuses
• Heart
• Brain
• Lungs
• Urinary tract
• Bowel
• Bones
• Pelvic organs

Their extensive training focuses on all kinds of infections, including those caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.  Many ID physicians specialize in treating patients with infections due to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS.

Along with their specialized training and knowledge comes a particular insight into the use of antibiotics and their potential adverse effects.  ID specialists also have additional training in immunology (how the body fights infection), epidemiology (how infections spread) and infection control.