Infectious Diseases

Infectious disease doctors diagnose and treat complex infections and unexplained febrile illnesses. At SIU Medicine, infectious disease experts provide exceptional patientcare along with advanced training and education for our residents and fellow.

Welcome

Welcome to the Division of Infectious Diseases at SIU Medicine. Our specialists care for patients infected by viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and other germs, in inpatient and outpatient settings. The experts in the Division of Infectious Diseases also see patients with compromised or suppressed immune systems or those who plan on traveling abroad. The team of infectious disease specialists also provide comprehensive training and clinical experience to learners in our residency and fellowship programs. Our division also plays a key role in promoting infection control throughout our organization and community.

COVID19 Testing-5381

Looking for a health care provider?

Find a location

Find a provider

faculty-default-image

Our faculty

The faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is focused on educating the region's top physicians, researching new models of care, and providing expert clinical services that address the health care needs of central and southern Illinois.

Dr Sundareshan lab infectious disease
FEATURE

5 questions for Vidya Sundareshan

Vidya Sundareshan, MD, is chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases in SIU’s Department of Internal Medicine. She has been a public health resource, medical educator and spokesperson for the school of medicine throughout the 2020 pandemic response. She also serves as the Medical Director at Sangamon County Department of Public Health.

Read more

Splitting Hairs - The Patient Experience at SIU

Teaching learners how to provide compassionate patient care is at the heart of what we do at SIU School of Medicine. But sometimes, building trusting, open relationships with patients can be challenging. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Vidhya Prakash describes how she worked with one patient to develop a meaningful doctor-patient relationship and improve his health.

Latest articles

Harbiger dinner

Alumnus shares perspective from a career of pursuing cures

Dr. Poland has been an outspoken advocate for mandatory flu shots, inspiring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation for all persons over the age of six months to get one.
blog-covid

Masks mandatory for health care sites

Masks continue to be required for all visitors and patients in health care settings, despite recent changes to guidance from state and federal officials that apply to other community areas.

Report, Webinar Focus on Impact of COVID-19 and the Opioid Epidemic

SPRINGFIELD, IL – A new report describes the impact of COVID-19 on the existing rural opioid epidemic and identified opportunities to treat opioid addiction and reduce fatalities in rural Illinois.

More from the department