Infectious disease specialists in West Palm Beach

What does an infectious disease specialist do?

Infectious disease is the subspecialty of internal medicine focused on diagnosing, controlling and treating infections. After internal medicine training, an infectious disease specialist completes a two- to three-year fellowship before becoming eligible for the infectious disease board examination.

The specialty requires an extensive understanding of bacterial, viral, mycobacterial, fungal and parasitic infections, as well as antimicrobial medications, antibiotic resistance, vaccines and other immunobiologic agents. Primary care doctors and other specialists often refer patients to an infectious disease specialist for help with complicated infections.

When you might see us

• An infection that is unusual, difficult to diagnose or not improving with treatment
• Recurrent or complicated infections
• Questions about antibiotics, antibiotic resistance or medication side effects
• Illness after international travel, including tropical and parasitic infections
• Vaccine planning for travel, work or a medical condition

Infections that matter in Palm Beach County

South Florida’s warm climate, coastal waters and international travel shape the infections we see. A few that West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Island residents should know about:

• Mosquito-borne illness. Dengue is spread by mosquitoes that live in South Florida. The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory on August 3, 2026, after a locally acquired dengue case in the county.
• Vibrio vulnificus. These bacteria live naturally in warm salt and brackish water, including Florida’s coastal and Intracoastal waters, and can cause severe wound and bloodstream infections or illness from raw shellfish. People with liver disease, kidney disease or weakened immune systems are at highest risk.
• Wound infections after storms. Cuts and scrapes exposed to floodwater or seawater during cleanup should be cleaned promptly and watched closely; seek care for redness, swelling or fever.
• Infections brought home from travel. Malaria, dengue and chikungunya are diagnosed in Florida every year in people returning from international travel.

Common reasons for an infectious disease consultation

Infectious disease specialists are commonly consulted for:

• Skin and soft-tissue infections, including cellulitis and MRSA
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Bone and joint infections
• Infections after surgery or involving medical devices
• Pneumonia or other infections that are not improving
• Fever without a clear cause
• Infections in people with weakened immune systems
• Fever or illness after international travel

Using antibiotics wisely

Antibiotics save lives, but they are often used when they will not help. According to the CDC, at least 28% of antibiotics prescribed in outpatient settings are unnecessary. Unneeded antibiotics cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance, which makes future infections harder to treat. Infectious disease specialists are trained to choose the right antibiotic, at the right dose, for the right length of time, and to recognize when an antibiotic is not needed at all.

Preparing for your consultation

• Ask the referring physician’s office to send recent notes, lab results, cultures and imaging reports.
• Bring a list of every antibiotic you have taken for this problem, with dates if you have them.
• Note when symptoms started, any recent travel, animal or water exposure, and any recent procedures.
• Bring a list of your current medications and allergies.

Experience you can count on

All three of our physicians are board-certified in infectious disease. Their training includes fellowships at Yale-New Haven Hospital, the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, research at the National Institutes of Health and service with the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service. Locally, they have led infection control programs at Good Samaritan Medical Center and JFK Medical Center.

Frequently asked questions

What is Vibrio vulnificus, and who is at risk?

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that lives naturally in warm salt and brackish water and in raw shellfish. It can cause serious wound and bloodstream infections. People with chronic liver disease, kidney disease or a weakened immune system are at highest risk. Keep open wounds out of warm salt or brackish water, avoid raw oysters, and seek care quickly for a wound that becomes red, swollen or painful after water exposure.

Is dengue spreading in Palm Beach County?

Florida reported 252 locally acquired dengue cases statewide in 2026 through late September, including one in Palm Beach County, and the county has been under a mosquito-borne illness advisory since August 3, 2026. Most local cases this year were in the Tampa Bay area. Preventing mosquito bites by draining standing water and using repellent remains the best protection.

What kinds of infections does an infectious disease specialist treat?

Infectious disease specialists treat bacterial, viral, fungal, mycobacterial and parasitic infections, especially those that are unusual, recurrent, hard to diagnose or not responding to treatment. They also advise on antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and vaccines.

I got sick after traveling. Should I see an infectious disease doctor?

Yes, especially if you have a fever after travel to a tropical area. Illnesses such as malaria, dengue and chikungunya are diagnosed in Florida every year in returning travelers. Call us and tell us where you traveled; for severe symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room.