Hooked on ID with Eugene D. Shapiro, MD
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It is hard to know where to start. There are so many wonderful things about a career in infectious diseases.
Of course, there are all of the traditional things people tout: One can have a major impact making patients better (actually curing a problem!); it is an interesting and intellectually stimulating field; it cuts across all organ systems; and prevention is a major focus (eg, vaccines, PrEP).
In addition, there are so many different disciplines that the field encompasses: epidemiology, public health, vaccinology, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, virology, parasitology, vector biology and ecology and pathogen/host interactions. And there are many types of research, including laboratory-based bench research, numerous kinds of clinical research, qualitative research, epidemiologic research and implementation science. Finally, there are many great people in the field. It’s all good!
Eugene D. Shapiro, MD
Infectious Disease News Editorial Board Member
Professor of pediatrics and epidemiology
Yale School of Public Health