What Does An Infectious Disease Specialist Do?

Infectious disease specialists are medical doctors trained in internal medicine and specialize in diagnosing, treating and managing infectious diseases. These types of specialists have extensive knowledge of how viruses, bacteria and fungi affect the body. They typically undergo several additional years of intensive training, including learning about immunology and epidemiology.

Within the field of infectious disease, Dr. Serge Lartchenko of Texas Infectious Disease Institute is a trusted leader. With a proven track record of helping patients when other doctors are stumped, Dr. Lartchenko is a premier infectious disease doctor in Dallas and surrounding areas.

What are the Major Types of Infectious Diseases?

Infectious diseases are diseases caused by microorganisms. These microscopic organisms include:

• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Fungi

Beyond infectious disease, Dr. Lartchenko is known and respected regionally for his expertise in a few other related areas. So, what else does an infectious disease doctor treat? Glad you asked!

An Expert in Orthopedic Infections

When harmful bacteria, viruses or fungi affect the site of an orthopedic procedure (often a joint replacement), the results can be devastating. For some, successful treatment can require months of care. At Texas Infectious Disease Institute, we help many individuals battling these kinds of infections.

Experts classify Orthopedic infections in a few ways. One: infections that affect the bones (osteomyelitis) and two: infections involving the joints (septic arthritis). In rare cases, these types of infections occur spontaneously, but more often, they develop as a complication of surgery, particularly joint replacement surgeries. Having certain chronic diseases puts you at greater risk for developing an orthopedic infection. Examples include HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hemophilia and sickle cell anemia.

At our Center for Surgical and Orthopedic Infectious Disease in Richardson, Texas, Dr. Lartchenko partners with area orthopedic, vascular, plastic and spine surgeons. Together, they collaborate on caring for patients dealing with bone, joint, prosthetic and spine infections. As a result, the orthopedic community trusts Dr. Lartchenko with their most challenging cases.

For patients dealing with orthopedic infections, we offer specialized antibiotic treatments and combination therapies in our onsite, outpatient Infusion Suite. Using the latest advancements in non-surgical treatments, we can help many individuals overcome their serious orthopedic infections and get back to living their lives.

An Expert in HIV Treatment

Dr. Lartchenko is also a trusted specialist in the treatment of HIV. He trained at the nationally recognized HIV Outpatient Program Clinic (HOP) in New Orleans before establishing Texas Infectious Disease Institute. In truth, he is known and trusted for treating the most challenging HIV cases. Many patients who aren’t seeing effective results from treatment elsewhere are referred to Dr. Lartchenko for his work in this area. Each patient we see in our outpatient clinic is treated with dignity and a high degree of confidentiality.

An Expert in Spine Infections

Spine infections are a rare but often serious condition. We most commonly see spine infections in senior populations and after a surgical procedure. A spine infection can include the vertebrae, spinal discs, meninges, spinal canal; even the spinal cord. Occurring in about 1-4% of cases, most postoperative spine infections occur between three days and three months after surgery.

Dr. Lartchenko is Dallas’ trusted expert for treating orthopedic and surgical site infections. At the Center for Orthopedic and Surgical Infectious Disease at Texas Infectious Disease Institute, he helps many individuals dealing with this painful situation that can sometimes arise after spine surgery.

Meet the Team Fully Dedicated to Your Care

At the Center for Orthopedic and Surgical Infectious Disease at Texas Infectious Disease Institute, you will find an experienced team that cares deeply about finding the right diagnosis and treatment for you. This is whether you are referred to us for a prolonged fever of unknown origin, an infection arising from a surgery or for a more complex infectious disease. As a result, Dr. Lartchenko has been named the Best Infectious Disease Doctor in Dallas by D Magazine every year since 2018.

With comprehensive diagnostic tests and services available in one convenient location in the heart of Collin County, conveniently located for Dallas and surrounding residents, Dr. Serge Lartchenko and his team are able to diagnose, treat and provide long-term management for a range of conditions. We’d be honored to serve you.