Our experts work with the medical community to overcome the challenges of antibiotic resistance. The UC Davis Antimicrobial Stewardship Program is a designated Center of Excellence according to the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA).  

As an academic health system, we stay at the forefront of medical innovation. Our faculty train the next generation of infectious disease specialists to develop new approaches to treatment and prevention.

Through our clinical research programs, we develop new tools, medications and therapies for diagnosing and treating infectious diseases. This improves patient care in our Division of Infectious Diseases and quality of life.

Bacteria are single-cell organisms. Infectious bacteria reproduce quickly in your body, making you sick. Antibiotics treat a bacterial infection.

Fungi are organisms that can grow almost anywhere. They live in air and water, on indoor surfaces and in your body. Many fungi are harmless, but some can cause infection and serious illness.

A parasite is an organism that requires a host to survive. Parasites live in or on their hosts and feed off them. Giardiasis, the most common parasitic infection in the U.S., often spreads through contaminated water.

Viruses are germs made of DNA or RNA. They invade cells in your body and multiply (replicate). There are many different viruses, and each one targets a specific type of cell. For instance, the flu infects cells in your respiratory system.

Fecal matter from an infected person can contaminate food and water sources. Consuming even a small amount can make you very sick.

An animal can spread infection by licking, biting or scratching you. This can lead to zoonotic diseases such as bird flu and rabies.

Some infections spread through direct contact with an infected person. Direct contact includes coughing and sneezing as well as kissing, touching and sexual contact.

Insects like mosquitoes, ticks and fleas feed off infected people or animals. When an insect carrying infected blood bites you, you can become infected. These infections cause vector-borne diseases.

Some fungi grow in soil or on plants. If you inhale or touch their spores, you can develop a fungal infection. Lung infections can cause serious illness.