The Vital Facts Every Floridian Should Know As a resident of the Sunshine State, you are undoubtedly familiar with the rich biodiversity found throughout Florida, from its tropical forests to its sandy beaches. That biodiversity includes many microscopic organisms, but the mites that affect human skin require careful distinction. Some normally live on the skin without causing symptoms, while scabies…
As of 2023, about 11% of Florida’s adult population had been diagnosed with diabetes. With more than two million people managing this condition across the state, it is essential to understand the increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) among people with diabetes. Recurrent UTIs can sometimes be associated with diabetes or poorly controlled blood sugar, but having repeated UTIs…
A skin ulcer is an open sore caused by the breakdown of the skin and sometimes the tissue beneath it. Skin ulcers may develop because of poor blood circulation, prolonged pressure, nerve damage, diabetes, injury, or infection. Unlike an ordinary cut, a skin ulcer may heal slowly, repeatedly reopen, or fail to heal without appropriate treatment. Skin ulcers can become…
For many people, the only time they’ve heard of typhoid has been in historical accounts of grim 1800s-era pioneers becoming infected on their way to the American west, or perhaps through the cautionary tale of Typhoid Mary, who refused to wash her hands, and spread typhoid through her cooking so frequently that she was banished to an island for the…
We have all been there with strep throat, food poisoning, or something more serious like pneumonia or meningitis. Bacterial infections can affect people at any age, and antibiotics remain an essential part of modern medical care. When oral antibiotics are not appropriate, are not working as expected, or cannot adequately treat a particular infection, a doctor may recommend IV antibiotic…
Florida’s warm, humid climate creates the perfect environment for mosquitoes and the illnesses they carry. As a result, mosquito-borne diseases in Florida—such as West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Dengue Fever, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis—are important health concerns for both residents and visitors. Some of these infections can match what people describe as “a disease that causes severe fever and chills that is spread through the bite of mosquitoes,” especially dengue and travel-related malaria. Recognizing early symptoms like high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, eye pain, or neurologic changes is essential so you can seek timely medical care.
In this guide, Infectious Diseases Associates of Tampa Bay (IDATB) explains which mosquito viruses Florida communities face most often, how to reduce your risk with repellents and environmental control, and when to contact a specialist. Whether you live in Tampa Bay or are just visiting the Sunshine State, proactive prevention and rapid response can help keep you and your family safe outdoors.
Taking a trip abroad? There is so much to think about. You must plan your itinerary, book hotels, arrange transportation, sightseeing and so much more. But don’t forget to think about illness and diseases you may be exposed to in your travels. This is something many of us do not think about but without proper precautions you might come home…
Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay (IDATB) is proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone — 10 consecutive years of our physicians being named “Top Doctors” by TAMPA Magazine. Since the inception of the magazine’s annual peer-nominated list, IDATB doctors have been recognized every single year. This recognition serves as a testament to our continued dedication to excellence in infectious disease…
The summer months are perfect for Florida residents to head out on an international travel adventure. We see a big spike in travel overseas during this time of the year, requiring travelers to consider essential vaccinations and keep themselves healthy while traveling. Travel can expose individuals to infectious diseases not common in the United States. Today we’re going to share…
