Ask a Microbiologist Online

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms. Medical microbiology is a part of microbiology and a branch of medical science that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. It also focuses on the study of various uses of microbes for the improvement of human health. Medical biologist concentrates primarily on the research of disease-causing pathogens, their mode of transmission, and how they grow and infect the human body. The four types of pathogens that cause infectious diseases in humans are bacteria, virus, fungus, and parasites.

A medical microbiologist identifies the pathogen that is the cause of the disease and helps a physician to form an appropriate treatment plan. They also support a community by preventing and controlling an outbreak of disease. Some medical microbiologists study non-pathogenic microorganisms and see if their properties could be used as a treatment for some infections. They continuously research and develop new antibiotics against resistant strains of pathogens.

The most common bacterial infections are tuberculosis, typhoid, and chlamydia. Human papillomavirus (HPV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis, and rotavirus are the most commonly seen viral infections. Malaria, amebiasis, scabies, and candida are few examples of parasitic and fungal infections. If your doctor suspects an infection, he or she might tell you to undergo few tests like microbial culture, biochemical assays, and polymerase chain reaction to isolate and identify the causative agent. With the help of online healthcare platforms, you can consult medical biologists online, and can ask questions about your health through phone or video consultations.