Microbiology and Virology
Nature of the work
Medical microbiology and virology involves the
diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the spread of infection in
hospitals and the community. Both these specialties are
laboratory-based, but make a major contribution to clinical
infection management. They therefore require clinical skills, as
well as laboratory knowledge. In medical virology, the focus of
skills and knowledge relate to viral infection.
Working in medical microbiology and virology
Medical microbiologists and medical
virologists have two distinct roles.
Medical microbiologists provide services to
aid the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases and help
ensure the safety of those at risk of acquiring infectious
diseases, both in hospitals and the community. Although this role
is laboratory-based, the microbiologist’s role is increasingly
clinical.
When a patient is suspected of having an
infection, they provide advice on the likely causes and suggest the
best tests to diagnose it. Tests may involve the identification of
parasites under the microscopy, the use of biochemical tests to
identify colonies of bacteria or the use of molecular tests to
identify organisms (or even specific genes) which may govern an
organism’s behaviour.
Microbiologists have a hands-on role
supervising the running of the diagnostic laboratory, and ensuring
the delivery of prompt and accurate test results for patients. In
cases where antimicrobial drugs are required, medical
microbiologists provide tailor-made advice concerning the choice of
such drugs and the duration of treatment. Care is taken to consider
the side effects of each treatment, and the risks of encouraging
further infections, which may be resistant to some antibiotics. Any
other medical problems or allergies a patient may have are also
considered.
Medical microbiologists also play a key role
in controlling the spread of infectious diseases. Microbiologists
work with hospital infection control teams to reduce the spread of
infections in hospitals (including hospital ‘super bugs’ such as
MRSA). They also contribute to the protection of public health by
monitoring the patterns of infectious diseases and reporting new or
unusual occurrences of infections. In their infection control
activities, microbiologists have to work with nurses and other
healthcare professionals, hospital estates departments and
management.
Teaching healthcare workers, whether students
or qualified staff, is an important role for microbiologists.
Research, whether basic or applied, is undertaken by those with
particular interests.
Medical virologists are involved in activities
in the laboratory and in clinics, as well as in hospital wards and
the community. They manage HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne
infections such as hepatitis B and C, as well as the challenges of
the current and newly emerging viruses around the globe such as
SARS and avian flu. Medical virologists must also deal with the new
threat of bioterrorism, which uses agents like smallpox. There is
scope for research and teaching without compromising regular work.
Virology suits people with an interest in clinical, as well as
laboratory-based, activities.
Medical microbiology and virology are becoming
increasingly clinical. Training is starting to converge with that
of other clinical infection specialties, such as infectious
diseases and genitourinary medicine. There are joint training
programmes in many regions, such as combining infectious diseases
with medical microbiology or virology.
Common procedures/interventions
This is a mainly laboratory-based
specialty.
Associated sub specialties
Associated specialties include infectious
diseases and public health.
Further information
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