Infectious Diseases in Chicago

Infectious diseases are disorders caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. They can spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. Some infectious diseases are transmitted by insects or other animals. Infectious diseases can also spread through the consumption of contaminated water or food or exposure to organisms in the environment.

The branch of medicine that focuses on infectious diseases is called infectiology, which is a subspecialty of internal medicine. Doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases are called infectious diseases (ID) specialists. While most common infections can be treated by general internists and other specialists, ID specialists are frequently called upon to help diagnose and assist in treating or managing unusual, difficult, or complicated infections. Since many infectious diseases are related to other medical conditions, ID specialists work with doctors in many specialty areas, such as doctors trained in dermatology, immunology, or cardiovascular medicine. 

Some of the most common infectious diseases that ID specialists diagnose, treat, and manage include:

• Bone and joint infections
• Heart valve infections
• Blastomycosis
• Complicated urinary tract infections
• Lyme disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Viral hepatitis
• Rubella, Measles, and Mumps
• Malaria
• Cholera
• Dengue
• Ebola
• Sepsis
• Tuberculosis
• Rheumatic fever
• Travel medicine
• Tick-borne infections
• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Post-operative infections.

There are numerous procedures that ID specialists and other specialists use to diagnose, prevent, and treat infectious diseases. These include, but are not limited to:

• Laboratory tests, including blood tests, urine tests, stool samples, throat swabs, and a spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
• Imaging scans, such as CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays.
• Biopsies.
• Antibiotic therapies
• Immunizations
• Infection control
• Fecal microbiota (stool) transplant
• Antimicrobial therapy (OPAT)
• Antifungal therapy
• Anti-parasitic therapy.

How Long Should I Stay in Chicago?

Your length of stay depends on the severity of your infection and which organ is affected by the infection. Some types of infectious diseases may require hospitalization, while others do not. It is generally advisable that you plan to stay in Chicago for at least 7 to 14 days. Even if you do not need hospitalization, some types of treatment may require several appointments. In addition, you may also need to attend follow-up checkups.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time after infectious disease can vary, depending on the type and severity of the infection. For some infectious diseases, the healing process can take time and it can take a few months until you can resume your normal activities. Some other types of infectious diseases, however, only need around 2 weeks or even less of recovery time. Your doctor will tell you when you can return to work and resume your normal activities.

What Aftercare is Required?

Your doctor will give you detailed aftercare instruction. It is important to follow every instruction closely. They may also tell you prevention measures to decrease the risk of infection from occurring in the future. These include washing your hands frequently, to get vaccinated, practice safe sex, travel wisely, stay home when ill, prepare food safely, and avoid sharing personal items. 

What's the Success Rate?

Active research in infectious diseases has resulted in new discoveries that help doctors to refine the treatment and management approach to infectious diseases. The success rate of infectious disease treatment has increased significantly in the past several decades. Some types of treatments even have 90% success rates.   

Are there Alternatives?

There are a number of products that have been studied for preventing or shortening the duration of some infections, such as vitamin C, vitamin D, garlic, ginseng, and zinc. However, it is best that you see your general physician, a specialist, or an ID specialist to treat your infection instead of taking alternative medicine.  

Infectious Diseases in and around Chicago

About Chicago

The city of Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States of America, with a population of over 2.7 million people. The city is located on the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan and is known as the “Windy City.” It is an international hub for culture, finance, commerce, technology, telecommunications, transportation, and industry. The city offers visitors a wide range of things to do. Whether you want to dine in its exquisite restaurants, have fun in the jazz clubs, wander around the green space, admire its architectural beauty, or go shopping. The city also provides top-notch medical centers that attract medical tourists from around 140 countries, especially from the Middle East region. These medical centers have world-class specialists and advanced technologies. Many patients come for cancer, orthopedic, or other complex treatment that they might not be able in their home country. 

Popular Areas in Chicago

• Millennium Park is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions located on Michigan Avenue. Here, tourists can discover a collection of architecture, art, and landscape design. The park includes Pritzker Pavilion, an amazing silver bandshell that hosts free weekly concerts every summer; Cloud Gate ‘the Bean’ mesmerizing silvery sculpture; Crown Fountain, an imperative work of public art and video sculpture; McCormick Tribute Ice Rink for skaters in the winter; and the tranquil Lurie Garden filled with stunning flowers.
• Art Institute of Chicago was founded in 1879 and is the oldest museum in the city. It houses more than 300 thousand pieces of art and has the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art outside the Louvre. Tourists can get intimate views of some of the world’s most popular artworks, from Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist to Etruscan pottery. Other important artworks in the museum’s permanent collection include Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, American Gothic by Grant Wood, Rainy Street; Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte, and Day of the God by Paul Gauguin.
• Navy Pier was initially constructed as the world’s largest pier in 1914. It was built for shipping and entertainment. During World War II, the pier serves as a training place for pilots. Today, it has become a famous location for tourists to enjoy the cool breeze from the lake. Ride the Centennial Wheel which offers an astounding view of Chicago. The pier also hosts seasonal fireworks and concerts. Tourists can also find public arts on the pier, such as the Captain of the Helm Statue, Bob Newhart Statue, and Crack the Whip Statue.
• Wrigley Field is located on the North Side of Chicago. It is the home to one of the city’s Major League Baseball franchise, the Chicago Cubs. Fans of baseballs will be happy to visit and watch a game here. It was built in 1914 and is one of the oldest major league ballparks. It was the first ballpark to let fans keep foul balls. 

Weather and Climate in Chicago

Chicago experiences four distinct seasons.

• Spring is from April to June. The temperatures are good and enjoyable, making it the best time to visit the city. The average high in May is around 21°C. However, keep in mind that rain showers can occur.
• Summer starts in July and ends in August. The weather can be hot and humid, especially in August. The city is filled with tourists and families during this season. 
• Autumn starts in September to November and the weather is at its best in September, and there are fewer crowds in this season. The temperatures will slowly decrease, sometimes dipping to 4 °C at night.
• Winter will start from late November to March. The winter is cold and snowy, but December is known to be a wonderful time to visit the city because many holiday events and festivals transform the city into a winter wonderland. 

Getting Around in Chicago

O’Hare International Airport is the 3rd busiest airport in the United States. It serves domestic and international flights to many cities in the world, including London, Shanghai, Delhi, and Auckland. Low-cost carriers, such as Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines, are a good and affordable option to travel to and from Chicago. 

Traveling around Chicago is fairly easy since the city has numerous public transportations. The buses and trains are operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and they are fast and inexpensive. The trains are known as the “L” trains and it is best to buy a CTA Visitor passes, which has unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses. A 1-day pass is $10, a 3-day pass is $20, and a 7-day pass is $28. 

Taxis can be found easily throughout the city. They can get a bit expensive, but they provide a convenient way to get around the city. The fares depend on gas prices and the number of passengers. Apps like Lyft and Uber are more cost-effective and are plentiful.

Tourists Visas in Chicago

Visa exemption access is given to Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Bermuda. Citizens of 38 countries (including Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom) are selected for the Visa Waiver Program. Citizens from other countries not listed in the visa exemption and visa waiver agreement are required to apply for a visa. Visitors may stay in the United States for 90 days. It is best to check the visa policy at the nearest United States Embassy.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the US dollar ($). For the current exchange rate to your local currency, check XE.com.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can easily find ATMs in almost every part of the city. Credit and debit cards are accepted in almost every restaurant, shop, and hotel. Tipping can be mandatory in Chicago, tipping at least 18% is generally expected in restaurants.
3. Local Language: The main language is American English and many people can also speak Spanish.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity is the biggest religion in Chicago, followed by Islam and Judaism.
5. Public Holidays: Some of the major public holidays in Chicago are New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.