Infectious diseases

Infectiology is the branch of medicine that studies and treats infectious diseases-those diseases caused by microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites) that can cause harm to health.

Through a combination of cutting-edge scientific research and dedicated clinical practice, specialists work to identify, prevent and treat a wide range of diseases, from common influenza to tropical diseases and emerging infections.

The Servizio di Malattie infettive EOC collaborates with family physicians, specialists working in the community and hospital departments in the outpatient care of complex infectious diseases and prevention of communicable diseases. The following are some concrete examples:

• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and related opportunistic diseases;
• sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): screenig examinations, STD prevention and treatment activities. Our Center is part of the SwissPrEPared Swiss network, which provides cost-effective access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP);
• chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, hepatitis E);
• other viral infections: for example, infections caused by viruses of the Herpes family (Herpes simplex, Herpes Varicella Zoster, Cytomegalovirus, etc.), or for example, COVID-19. In immunocompromised people these infections can be very severe;
• Tick-borne diseases: e.g. borreliosis (Lyme disease), rickettsiosis;
• severebacterial infections: e.g. osteomyelitis (chronic bone infection), infections in the presence of a foreign body (prosthesis infection); endocarditis (infection of a heart valve);
• tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteriosis;
• fungal infections and parasitoses;
• fever of undetermined origin: thorough investigations in case of a body temperature ≥ 38.3° C, lasting for several weeks with no detectable obvious cause;
• travel and tropical diseases, including prophylaxis in cases of potential exposure to rabies;
• cases of accidental exposure to biological fluids: risk of transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, meningococcal disease.

HIV: prevention and early detection with testing

Currently, HIV infection can be considered a chronic, noncurable but treatable disease. When diagnosed early, available antiretroviral therapies offer a life expectancy similar to that of HIV-negative people, with room for personal, work and family life plans, including having children. Early diagnosis also prevents the risk of transmitting the virus to others. After diagnosis, the antiretroviral treatment that follows improves the health of people with the virus and makes them no longer contagious.

In order not to expose yourself to risk, it is important to follow safer sex rules in casual relationships, as well as at the beginning of a new relationship until the outcome of the test, if you decide to abandon the condom. Another option to prevent infection is the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Our Service offers in-depth counseling on the topic and collaborates with the SwissPrepared network.

HIV infection can be diagnosed by undergoing a test that looks for an antigen of the virus and antibodies that our body produces against the virus. A negative HIV test at least 6 weeks after the last risky sexual intercourse can rule out infection. Within the EOC Infectious Diseases Service, it is possible to seek medical/nursing consultation and anonymous testing (HIV, syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases).

Useful information

Collaborations with the territory

• Home help and nursing service;
• Swiss Red Cross;
• Ingrado;
• Social work services;
• Psycho-social services;
• Swiss Worker's Relief;
• Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS);
• Office of the Cantonal Physician (in the area of prevention).

Research and training activities of physicians and paramedical personnel

All specialists contribute to the training of medical and paramedical staff in EOC hospitals to teaching students at the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences at USI and SUPSI.

The Service is one of seven Swiss reference centers of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study ( www.shcs.ch). Research activities with current clinical studies and publications.

The EOC Infectious Diseases Service, offered on both an inpatient and outpatient basis, is available at the Ospedale Civico in Lugano, the San Giovanni Hospital in Bellinzona, the La Carità Hospital in Locarno and the Beata Vergine Hospital in Mendrisio, where a dedicated team of medical specialists is ready to welcome patients with professionalism and dedication. For all types of consultations, the best medical care is offered by specialized experts.