Hooked on ID with Thomas M. File Jr., MD, MSc, MACP, FIDSA, FCCP
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I initially became hooked on ID when I was a medical student rounding on ID service and was evaluating a person with pneumonia who had just expectorated purulent sputum.
I took the specimen to the lab, performed a gram stain and saw many polymorphonuclear leukocytes and gram-positive lancet-shaped diplococci — so the diagnosis was established and appropriate therapy administered!
The concept of detective work and ability to cure patients make ID a very stimulating and satisfying specialty. It has always been very gratifying to be actively involved in the care of a person who is seriously ill with an infection and to provide input into the care of this person that results in cure.
As ID specialists, we interact with all other areas/specialties —medicine, orthopedics, OB/GYN, surgery, pathology, radiology and others. Thus, we are highly involved with a wide scope of care. The continuing identification of emerging pathogens, infections and pandemics has made our specialty always relevant and at the forefront of public health. HIV and SARS-CoV-2 are prime examples.
Overall, the experience I’ve had in ID has been very stimulating, gratifying and even exciting.
Thomas M. File Jr., MD, MSc, MACP, FIDSA, FCCP
Editorial Board Member
Healio | Infectious Disease News
Distinguished physician
Infectious disease division
Summa Health
Akron, Ohio
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