Infectious Diseases is the branch of medicine which deals with the diagnosis and management of infections. These include diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and other organisms. Some may be contagious e.g. tuberculosis; others are not. Whilst many infectious diseases are common and can be dealt with by other medical or surgical teams, others require a specialist approach.

The Infectious Diseases Team consists of two specialist doctors who have trained in, and have expertise in, this branch of medicine.  The team contributes to the care of patients in hospital with a wide range of infections e.g. meningitis, pneumonia, bone and joint infections, post-operative infections, etc. In addition they provide advice to general practitioners and other healthcare professionals in the community. If patients have conditions that don't require hospitalisation, they can be referred by their GP to the outpatient clinic for review e.g viral hepatitis, recurrent boils, tuberculosis (except for infectious tuberculosis of the lungs), travel-associated infections, etc.

Patients with HIV/AIDS who require inpatient or outpatient care are managed by the Infectious Disease Service at Auckland City Hospital. Patients with infectious tuberculosis are managed by the Respiratory Service at Auckland City Hospital.

If you are acutely unwell, your GP may arrange for your assessment by the acute admitting medical registrar at North Shore Hospital. This takes place in the Emergency Care Centre which is located near the main hospital entrance. If your condition is found to be related to an infection, advice may be sought from the Infectious Disease Service. Depending on the severity of the illness, you may require hospital admission for investigation and treatment.

For less urgent referrals, your GP may refer you for assessment in the outpatient clinic. Waiting times for the appointment depend on the urgency of your condition as outlined in the referral letter from your GP, but range from 2 weeks to 1-2 months.