Infectious Diseases

The Infectious Diseases Division at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) coordinates all infection-related activities throughout the hospital, encompassing both clinical care and infection prevention.

The division includes specialists and residents who, in addition to their training in internal medicine, have specialized in infectious diseases. This multidisciplinary field involves close collaboration with all clinical specialties throughout the hospital.

The division focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and prevention of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other pathogens. During outbreaks, suspected outbreaks, or emerging infectious disease threats such as COVID-19, the division plays a leading role in the medical center's response.

The division operates both within inpatient departments, each supported by a dedicated infectious diseases consultant, and through a wide range of specialized outpatient clinics addressing various infectious conditions.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of a comprehensive, integrated, and multidisciplinary approach to infection management. By combining clinical care with preventive measures, the Infectious Diseases Division played a central role in the medical center's response to the pandemic.

The division provides comprehensive services for the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and prevention of infectious diseases, working closely with all hospital departments and units.

Division Team
The division is managed by a multidisciplinary team that includes:

  • Senior physicians and infectious diseases specialists with diverse areas of subspecialty expertise.

  • Infection prevention and control nurses.

  • Medical analysts.

  • Clinical pharmacist.

  • Administrative and professional support staff.

The division's team is committed to promoting high-quality, safe, evidence-based medical care and strengthening the hospital's ability to address current and emerging challenges in infectious diseases.

Centers, Units and Clinics

The Infectious Diseases Unit provides consultation, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases for the general public and all hospital departments. The unit also oversees antibiotic use and hospital infection prevention.

The unit provides education and training for medical students, physicians, and nursing staff in all aspects of infectious diseases and conducts extensive clinical and basic science research.

Clinics of the Infectious Diseases Unit

General Infectious Diseases Clinic

Provides follow-up care for hospitalized and outpatient patients with infectious conditions.

Pre-Travel Consultation Clinic – Travel Medicine Service

As part of the Travel Medicine Service at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, infectious diseases specialists provide medical consultations before international travel.

Travel Medicine and Tropical Diseases Clinic

The clinic specializes in diagnosing and treating travel-related infections acquired in different regions of the world, particularly tropical and developing countries. These include malaria, dengue fever, rickettsial infections, typhoid fever, traveler's diarrhea, intestinal worms and parasites, leishmaniasis (cutaneous leishmaniasis), and other tropical diseases.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Clinic

Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in sexually transmitted infections, reaching epidemic proportions. This rise has been accompanied by an increase in complications and complex cases that are difficult to diagnose or do not respond to standard treatment.

Infectious Skin Diseases Clinic

Infectious skin diseases account for a significant proportion of dermatological conditions and may present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Accurate identification of the infectious agent is essential for targeted treatment and rapid recovery.

Echinococcosis Clinic

Echinococcosis is a parasitic infection that can cause cysts, primarily in the liver. The clinic provides diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. Some cases may require surgical intervention, and the clinic's team includes a surgeon specializing in liver surgery.

Transplant Infectious Diseases Clinic

Working alongside the transplantation services at Ichilov, this clinic provides specialized care for transplant recipients who develop infectious complications.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Carrier Clearance Clinic

Cat Scratch Disease – Bartonella

The unit operates a long-established specialized laboratory dedicated to the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of cat scratch disease, caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae.

The laboratory at Ichilov serves as a center of expertise, providing diagnostic testing and medical consultation to healthcare professionals throughout Israel.

ENT and Infectious Diseases Clinic

This specialized multidisciplinary clinic brings together two senior specialists: an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon and an infectious diseases physician.

The clinic focuses on diagnosing and treating complex infections originating in the ear, nose, and throat, including recurrent or persistent streptococcal tonsillitis, ear cartilage infections following helix piercings or ear stretching, and sinus or external ear canal infections that may spread to the skull bones, causing severe pain and potentially life-threatening complications.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Carrier Clearance Clinic

The Epidemiology and Infection Prevention Unit at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) focuses on preventive medicine within the hospital and epidemiological research through the Laboratory for Molecular Epidemiology and Antibiotic Research.

The unit's main areas of activity include:

  • Prevention of hospital-acquired infections.

  • Prevention of the spread of antibiotic resistance.

  • Statistical services, providing expert consultation on research design and implementation, data processing and statistical analysis by experienced statisticians, and preparation of methods and results sections for research reports and scientific publications.

The Epidemiology and Infection Prevention Unit reports directly to the hospital's CEO and maintains extensive collaboration with all clinical and operational departments throughout the hospital.

The Kobler HIV/AIDS Center at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) includes an outpatient clinic, laboratory, and day hospitalization unit. The center also serves as an information and support resource for the general public, providing guidance and initial care in cases of suspected HIV exposure.

A multidisciplinary team supports patients visiting the center, including physicians, laboratory and research staff, a nurse, psychologist, dietitian, social worker, and administrative staff.

The center's outpatient clinic provides care for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. HIV screening tests are also available to anyone interested. In addition, the center's medical team provides professional consultation and support to all hospital departments on HIV/AIDS-related matters.

HIV testing is available to the general public at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.

  • A photo ID (such as an identity card, driver's license, or passport) must be presented when undergoing testing.

  • Anonymous testing is available for a fee (minors are not eligible for anonymous testing).

HIV Testing Options

  • Free of charge: Upon presentation of a health fund membership card and provision of the referring physician's details, including the clinic's name and address.

  • Paid testing: Private and anonymous testing options are available.

Testing Hours and Location

Testing is conducted on Mondays, from 08:00 to 09:30, at the Sourasky Building, 1st Floor, Wing B.

Results are provided individually to each patient, along with appropriate guidance and counseling.

Anonymous Testing

Results are provided on the day of testing, between 11:30 and 12:00, at the Sourasky Building, 1st Floor, Wing B.

Non-Anonymous Testing

Results are provided the following Monday, between 11:30 and 12:00, at the Sourasky Building, 1st Floor, Wing B.

HIV Diagnostic Laboratory

The HIV/AIDS Center operates an HIV Diagnostic Laboratory, which is an integral part of the hospital's HIV/AIDS services. The laboratory primarily focuses on the diagnosis and monitoring of patients living with HIV.