Jayhawk Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases play a vital role in ambulatory practice because conditions such as HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and upper respiratory infections (URIs) are highly prevalent, frequently encountered in clinic settings, and require timely diagnosis, prevention, and management. In the United States, an estimated 1.2 million people are living with HIV, and ongoing gaps exist in care. STIs remain a major and growing public health concern, with more than 2.4 million combined cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia reported in 2023, disproportionately affecting racial, ethnic, and sexual minority groups and requiring ambulatory providers to lead in screening, prevention, and treatment strategies. URIs are among the most common reasons for outpatient visits and account for 30% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions, underscoring the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and accurate diagnosis in preventing unnecessary antibiotic use and resistance. 

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