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INFECTIOUS
DISEASES

San Antonio Infectious Disease

Consultants see the worst cases

By Mike W. Thomas

ounded in 1982, San Antonio Infectious Disease Con-
F sultants has grown into one of the largest practice

groups of its kind with 11 physicians specializing in in-
fectious disease and internal medicine operating out of
six locations in San Antonio.
Dr. Nicolas Melgarejo joined the practice seven years ago after
completing a residency at UT Health M.D. Anderson in Houston.
He was attracted to the practice, he said, because of its strong rep-
utation for providing quality care.
“They have a lot of experienced people who have been with the
practice for many years and who are known for having achieved the
best results,” Melgarejo said.
One of the biggest challenges facing the infectious disease field
today is the increasing anti-bacterial resistance of many disease-
causing organisms. This is due in part to the overuse of anti-biotics
to fight common diseases, he said. As more and more resistant
strains develop, the job of infectious disease doctors becomes in-
creasingly difficult.
“We believe the organisms are getting resistant faster and we are
running out of tools to deal with them,” Melgarejo said.
San Antonio Infectious Disease Consultants deal with a lot of
the most serious cases including patients whose immune systems
have been damaged by cancer treatments and those who are HIV
positive. Dr. Nicolas Melgerejo,
As for the AIDS crisis, Melgarejo said that most cases are now San Antonio Infectious Disease Consultants
caught early enough so that it can be treated. There is still no cure,
but the disease can be managed. However, this bit of good news
may also be contributing to the steady rate of infections as people is not perfect. There is no complete immunity, but if we are lucky
have become more comfortable with risky behavior, he said. we can stay ahead of the curve.”
The doctors in the practice only see the most serious flu cases as San Antonio Infectious Disease Consultants has continued to
well as serious cases of pneumococcal disease and shingles. grow over the years, Melgarejo said, and is constantly looking for
“Flu season was bad this year with a large amount of cases, but new physicians to add to the practice.
we only see the very worst ones,” he said. “The flu is unpredictable “We have plenty of patients and are looking for more doctors,”
and a lot depends on conditions. We are always having to try and he said. “We look for quality over quantity and seek out the best
catch up with the latest mutations. The paradigm of the flu vaccine and brightest.”

16 San Antonio Medicine • May 2018