• Infectious Disease

    Our highly trained infectious disease specialists prevent, diagnose and treat a range of infectious diseases—from tuberculosis to hepatitis C.

    Appointments: Call 216-778-8305

Infectious Disease

What's an Infectious Disease?

Infectious diseases are also known as communicable diseases. They're caused by germs, such as bacteria, viruses or other organisms.

Some infections spread from person to person, such as through sexual contact or through the air. Others—such as Zika or rabies—spread through the bite of infected insects or animals.

Other infections can be related to chronic wounds, and they may cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications, including gangrene. All of these diseases require different types of treatment. But one thing remains the same: Serious infections often require enhanced expertise. That's what MetroHealth's comprehensive services can offer you.

Our Role as Researchers and Leaders


MetroHealth participates in the nationwide Center for AIDS Research at Case Western Reserve University, providing opportunities for people living with HIV to participate in studies of new treatments.

MetroHealth also operates the Cuyahoga County Tuberculosis Program that is responsible for screening, preventing and treating tuberculosis in our county.

Conditions We Treat

At MetroHealth, we treat the full spectrum of infectious diseases, including:

  • Bone and joint infections, such as osteomyelitis
  • Recurrent skin and soft tissue infections, like those caused by staph bacteria
  • HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) treatment and prevention (pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP)
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), formerly known as STDs
  • Hepatitis C, one of several viral diseases that attack the liver
  • Endocarditis (an infection inside the heart)
  • Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection
  • Abdominal infections
  • Central nervous system infections
  • Common, but complex or severe, infections, such as pneumonia or UTIs
  • Tuberculosis

Infection Protection: Our Prevention Services

In addition to treatment, MetroHealth's infectious disease experts help prevent the spread of infections to individuals and the community. This includes:

  • Vaccines and advice for people traveling to countries where infectious diseases are common. Should you come home with an illness, we can help you too. Our Travel Medicine Clinic offers these services.
  • Screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis infections, which helps prevent tuberculosis disease. These services are offered in our Tuberculosis Clinic.
  • Medication (PrEP) to help prevent HIV in people who are HIV-negative but at high risk for infection. The medicine is administered through our HIV/AIDS Clinic.

Pediatric Infectious Disease Expertise

Children can experience infectious diseases too. Our pediatric infectious disease providers see kids with a variety of infectious illnesses, including:

  • Bone and joint infections
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Lyme disease
  • MSRA infection
  • Pneumonia
  • Recurrent sinus and ear infections
  • Skin abscesses
  • Tuberculosis

Our Medical Providers

Ann K. Avery, MD

Ann K. Avery, MD

Infectious Disease

30 ratings / 6 reviews
Richard J. Blinkhorn Jr., MD

Richard J. Blinkhorn Jr., MD

Infectious Disease

79 ratings / 7 reviews
Amy M. Edwards, MD

Amy M. Edwards, MD

Pediatrics

No patient rating available.   Why?
Michelle T. Hecker, MD

Michelle T. Hecker, MD

Infectious Disease

63 ratings / 16 reviews
Corrilynn O. Hileman, MD

Corrilynn O. Hileman, MD

Infectious Disease

50 ratings / 7 reviews
Laura Hmiel, MD

Laura Hmiel, MD

Infectious Disease

33 ratings / 1 reviews
Melissa O. Jenkins, MD

Melissa O. Jenkins, MD

Division Director of Infectious Disease

Infectious Disease

78 ratings / 8 reviews
Lisa D. Kaloczi-Baker, APRN-CNP, DNP

Lisa D. Kaloczi-Baker, APRN-CNP, DNP

Infectious Disease

No patient rating available.   Why?

Locations

216-696-3876

19999 Rockside Road
Bedford , OH 44146

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216-696-3876

10 Severance Circle
Cleveland Heights , OH 44118

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216-696-3876

2500 MetroHealth Drive
Cleveland , Ohio 44109

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216-696-3876

12301 Snow Road
Parma , Ohio 44130

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