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What is Medical Microbiology

Medical microbiology is a specialised branch of science that focuses on the study of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, that can cause diseases in humans. It explores the interactions between these tiny organisms and the human body, aiming to understand how infections occur, spread, and can be prevented or treated. Important facts:

Identifying Disease-Causing Organisms

Medical microbiologists are experts in identifying the specific microbes responsible for infections. They use techniques like culturing, staining, and genetic analysis to pinpoint the culprit.

Understanding Transmission

Medical microbiology helps us understand how infections spread from person to person. This knowledge is crucial for preventing the spread of diseases through measures like hand hygiene, vaccination, and infection control practices.

Diagnosis of Infections

Medical microbiology plays a key role in diagnosing infections. By identifying the specific microbe causing an illness, doctors can prescribe the most effective treatment, such as antibiotics for bacterial infections or antiviral drugs for viral infections.

Antibiotic Resistance

Medical microbiologists study antibiotic resistance, which occurs when bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics. This knowledge helps guide antibiotic use and develop strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.

Public Health Surveillance

Medical microbiologists work in public health laboratories to monitor and track infectious diseases within communities. This surveillance helps identify outbreaks, assess disease trends, and implement control measures to protect public health. In summary, medical microbiology is a fascinating field that helps us understand and combat infectious diseases. By studying microbes and their interactions with the human body, medical microbiologists play a critical role in diagnosing, treating, and preventing infections, ultimately improving public health and saving lives.

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Meet Our Medical Microbiology Specialists

Get to know our specialists here at Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara.

Dr Kartini binti Abdul Jabar

Consultant Medical Microbiologist
Sessional Consultant
Specialty
Clinical Microbiology, Molecular Microbiology
Qualifications
MB BCh BAO (QUB, UK), MPath (UM), MSc Experimental Medicine (QUB, UK)
Suite Number
Laboratory
Spoken Language
English, Malay

Doctor Availability

Wednesday7:00pm - 10:00pm