Valley Infectious

These realities increase the need for infectious disease (ID) specialists. Yet, across the United States, the number of ID physicians is declining — with 79.5% of U.S. counties lacking even one ID provider [IDSA, 2020]. This shortage leaves vulnerable populations at risk for delayed diagnoses, inappropriate antibiotic use, and preventable complications.

Two conditions that especially highlight this need are recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and non–cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis:

Recurrent UTIs are the most common outpatient infections in the U.S. and significantly affect quality of life. Proper evaluation and individualized treatment by an ID specialist can reduce recurrence, improve patient outcomes, and minimize unnecessary antibiotic exposure [Foxman, 2002].

Non–cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis affects an estimated 364,000 to 558,000 U.S. adults and is associated with recurrent infections, lung damage, hospitalizations, and increased mortality [Weycker et al., 2017]. These patients often suffer from infections caused by atypical or multidrug-resistant organisms, yet there are no FDA-approved therapies to prevent exacerbations. Expert ID involvement can help guide accurate diagnosis, long-term planning, and antimicrobial stewardship.

Another urgent concern is antibiotic resistance. According to the CDC, over 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths. Including Clostridioides difficile, the annual toll exceeds 3 million infections and nearly 48,000 deaths [CDC, 2019].

At Valley Infectious Diseases Specialists, we respond to this growing need by offering timely, evidence-based outpatient care to adults with infectious diseases. Our practice is designed to improve access to specialty care, support other providers in the community, and focus on precision in both diagnosis and treatment — always with compassion, scientific rigor, and patient-centered values at the core.