An infectious disease specialist receives 2 to 3 years of additional training after completing an internal medicine residency. They diagnose and treat all forms of infectious disease in both hospital and outpatient settings. These include bacterial , fungal , parasitic and viral infections, tuberculosis, infections associated with HIV and sexually transmitted diseases . They are knowledgeable in the treatment of diseases present in other parts of the world and are frequently consulted for prophylactic treatment before traveling to regions where an infectious disease is endemic. Nephrology - To become a nephrologist, a physician trained in internal medicine must complete 3 additional years of training that focuses on the treatment of kidney diseases.
Normal kidneys clean the blood by filtering excess fluid and waste from the blood.
When the kidneys fail, multiple problems can occur such as elevated blood pressure, accumulation of fluid and toxic substances, and failure to make sufficient red blood cells. The nephrologist manages and treats these problems, and manages the treatment of patients receiving dialysis. To become a pulmonologist, a physician trained in internal medicine receives 3 additional years of training that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the respiratory tract. This includes diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory failure and asthma. They manage the treatment of patients with respiratory failure that require mechanical ventilation.