Meet the Experts

Dr. Carlos Torres-Viera

Infectious Disease Physician with West Kendall Baptist Hospital

Videos

Tuberculosis, A Easily Tansmissible Disease

Tuberculosis is a world-wide common illness. Even though the curve of the rate of infection with tuberculosis in the United States is dropping every year, it still continues to be an important issue, according to Carlos Torres-Viera, Infectious Disease Physician with West Kendall Baptist Hospital. It is especially important in Florida, because of the Hispanic population and the immigrant population. Torres-Viera says it is more prevalent in other countries and it is an easily transmissible disease. The tuberculosis germs are passed through the air when a person who is sick with the virus coughs and even laughs.

The Best Way To Avoid Infections

Carlos Torres-Viera, Infectious Disease Physician at West Kendall Baptist Hospital, says hand-washing is the best thing people can do to avoid infections. According to the physician, hand sanitizers are effective but they don't kill all types of germs, so people have to wash their hands with water and soap.

The Best Way To Avoid Infections

Carlos Torres-Viera, Infectious Disease Physician with West Kendall Baptist Hospital, says hand-washing is the best thing people can do to avoid infections. According to the physician, in countries with little water, hand sanitizers are the best option. Hand sanitizers are effective but they don't kill all types of germs, so people have to wash their hands with water and soap.

Get Prepared To Go To The Hospital

If you have to take your children to the hospital, you need to be prepared because there could be a lot of people with transmissible diseases, like influenza. Carlos Torres-Viera, Infectious Disease Physician with West Kendall Baptist Hospital, explains hospitals are places for sick people so he recommends not to bring the whole family to the emergency room. Another advice is using a hand sanitizer and if the problem is a respiratory infection, you should ask a nurse for a mask you can wear.

Dealing With Infections In The Er

The presence of infections changes the protocol of the Emergency Room. Carlos Torres-Viera, Infectious Disease Physician at West Kendall Baptist Hospital explains, for example, the bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus is a very common cause of skin infection. The doctor says the problem with these kinds of bacterias emerges when they become resistant to antibiotics. He recommends using alternatives drugs, but even sometimes they are not as good as the methicillin or penicillin.

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