Infectious Diseases in New York City

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 New York City?

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 New York City 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 New York City

About New York

New York City, or simply New York (NY), is the most populous city in the United States with an estimated population of over 8 million. The city is labeled as the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world. It is an important center of international diplomacy since it houses the headquarters of the United Nations. The city has been attracting tourists from all around the globe for its architectural beauty, dining spots, and arts. Fueled by its global popularity and superior healthcare, the city also welcomes patients from many other countries to undergo cosmetic surgeries and complex or rare procedures that are not available in the patient’s home country. The medical professionals are highly qualified, skilled, and experienced. The medical costs might not be the cheapest, but patients will get the best treatment in the world.

Popular Areas in New York

New York offers its visitors a myriad of attractions to see and things to do. Tourists can find world-famous sites in almost every corner. The following are the most popular places in the city.

• Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy. It was a gift from the French people to the people of the United States as a monument of international friendship during the American Revolution. This famous statue was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and the metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel. Tourists can access the pedestal and the crown. Although the climb to the top is strenuous, the view from Lady Liberty’s crown is breathtaking, making it one of the most rewarding experiences of your trip to NYC. To get to the statue, you need to take a ferry from Battery Park City or New Jersey. There is only one official ferry company that is allowed to take you to the islands, Statue Cruises.
• Staten Island Ferry offers a stunning landscape of New York City and the Statue of Liberty. The ferry runs frequently and is free. Tourists can enjoy the refreshing breeze while admiring Governors Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, lower Manhattan and Wall Street’s skyscrapers, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
• Empire State Building is perhaps the most iconic symbol of New York City. This magnificent landmark should not be missed by any visitors. The building was opened during the Great Depression in 1931 and tourists can see its Art Deco style in the architecture. The view from its 86th and 102nd floors is spectacular, especially around sunset time. 
• Central Park is 843 acres of open space and is a good place to escape from the concrete jungle of New York City. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and it was the first major landscaped public park in the United States. Tourists can wander around the park, enjoy a picnic, visit a memorial to John Lennon, or interact with animals in the Zoo.

Weather and Climate in New York

New York City has four seasons, each with its own perks, which makes the city a year-round destination.

• Spring starts in March and ends in April. The city enjoys a pleasant temperature during this season. It is one of the most beautiful times to visit since the city is filled with Cherry Blossoms and hosts a number of festivals. However, expect to experience seasonal storms.
• Summer is from June to August. The temperatures are mostly warm, with an average between 25 °C to 30 °C. The city is usually crowded and busy during this season, but tourists can enjoy several free summer concerts. 
• Autumn is a great time to visit New York City, which lasts from September to November. The summer heat will be replaced with a cooler temperature, and the city is overflowing with red and orange leaves. 
• Winter in the city can be freezing and sometimes snowy. The season starts in December and ends in February. The temperatures can drop as low as -25 °C. If you plan to visit during winter, make sure to dress properly.

Getting Around in New York

The primary international airport in New York City is the John F. Kennedy International Airport. More than ninety airlines operate from this airport, including several budget airlines such as JetBlue. Getting around the city is fairly easy and inexpensive, especially by public transportation. The city has 27 subway lines stopping at 472 stations and more than 5,000 buses. To ride the subway, you will need to purchase a MetroCard that cost $1. The fares are $2.75 per trip and you can buy a one week unlimited MetroCard for $33 or an unlimited monthly MetroCard for $127.

The bus will take you to many places including the east or west portions of Manhattan. The bus fares are $2.75 per trip and the buses only accept MetroCard or exact fare in coins. If you do not want the hassle to figure out the public transportation system, the iconic yellow taxis are widely available. You can flag them down directly from the streets. The taxis are green in Brooklyn and Uber and Lyft are also available. 

Tourists Visas in New York

Citizens of Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Bermuda are given visa exemption access. Holders of passports issued by 38 countries including Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom are selected for the Visa Waiver Program. Nationals from countries that are not listed in the visa exemption and visa waiver program need to apply for a visa. All visitors may stay for a maximum of 90 days. It is advisable to learn more about the visa policy at your nearest United States Embassy.  

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: US dollar ($) is the official currency. Please check XE.com for the current exchange rate to your local currency.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found everywhere, and credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. Tipping is not optional. For restaurant servers and bartenders, 15% - 20% of the bill is acceptable.
3. Local Language: The main language in New York City is English. However, there are over 800 languages spoken in the city, such as Spanish and Chinese.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity is the major religion in New York City, followed by Judaism, Islam, Buddha, and Hindu. 
5. Public Holidays: New York City celebrates various holidays, including New Year, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.