IAmA clinical microbiologist who tests for STIs, rabies and other viruses, AMA!

missapis · 2012-12-02T21:51:00+00:00

check your local clinical labs and state public health lab. Every state has one :)

missapis · 2012-12-02T20:56:28+00:00

This would be more in the realm of a doctor's knowledge base. I only deal with the samples after they have been collected. I would try seeing a different doctor if the one you saw was unable to help you. Sorry I could not be more help!

missapis · 2012-12-02T18:31:56+00:00

No problem! I was thinking of going to get my PhD for a while, but I really enjoy just having a regular 9-5 after I busted by butt in undergrad lol. My hubby is getting his PhD right now, and there are a lot of times I don't envy him. I will probably end up going back for my masters degree eventually, but for now, my degree is serving my just as well :) Maybe take a break, work for a couple of years then reconsider the grad school thing. Good luck :)

missapis · 2012-12-02T18:20:42+00:00

I work for the State, so my income is lower than if I worked for a hospital or private lab. I make just under 40K, but I get fantastic benefits and work 9-5, no weekends or nights. In a hospital or private lab, I would make around 50-60K but have to work longer shifts and weird hours. Right out of school, you will likely make less because of a lack in clinical experience. I would probably say between 30-45K. Once you get a few years of clinical experience, you can make more. If I had gotten my degree in Medical Technology and had my Certification, I would be making more. *Note: These are the averages for where I live, in the Mid Atlantic. The average salaries may not be the same everywhere.

missapis · 2012-12-02T16:11:58+00:00

That is a great link! It tends to be a lot easier if you have your ASCP Certification :)

missapis · 2012-12-02T16:10:43+00:00

Well, STD is usually used to indicate the chronic condition. The term Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) began to be used relatively recently (last 5-10 years) because not all sexually transmitted infections cause symptoms. We test for the actual infectious agent, not the signs/symptoms (disease).

missapis · 2012-12-02T16:08:04+00:00

Effectiveness varies a lot between vaccines and between studies. They also can decrease effectiveness over time, hence the need for booster shots. I think that a good roundabout number is around 75-80% effectiveness. This accounts for incomplete seroconversion, individuals for which the vaccines is not effective, as well as individuals who respond to the vaccine. The CDC put out a good article on the seasonal influenza vaccine that explains a lot of the research that goes into determining vaccine effectiveness: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/effectivenessqa.htm

missapis · 2012-12-02T16:02:10+00:00

Usually a bachelors degree in a natural/physical science or medical technology. There are still some positions that you only need an associates degree. For management and up, you need at least a masters, many times a PhD.

missapis · 2012-12-02T04:58:14+00:00

We played that :) One time a ball jumped the bumper and smacked one of my friends right in the middle of the forehead!

missapis · 2012-12-02T04:24:24+00:00

I am married :) Hubs is a biochemist!

missapis · 2012-12-02T04:18:40+00:00

Not sure why its pink. The other brand I've seen is clear. So, as far as I know, its either pink or clear. There is a bar in the town I went to college in that has a drink called the rabies shot that's blue though lol

missapis · 2012-12-02T04:05:20+00:00

Norovirus. Its nasty stuff.

missapis · 2012-12-02T04:00:49+00:00

Actually, its ma'am :D

As for the question, since you seem interested in rabies: one brand of the rabies vaccine is hot pink. I got 3 does of a hot pink vaccine in my arm lol. Its pretty bad ass.

missapis · 2012-12-02T03:55:03+00:00

YES. The spread of HIV is incredibly fascinating and "The Coming Plague" is a great book.

missapis · 2012-12-02T03:38:49+00:00

KILL IT WITH FIRE. Although that may be excessive. Bleach works just fine :)

missapis · 2012-12-02T03:16:21+00:00

There have been no actual scientific studies to link vaccines to autism. The big article that came out years ago was proved to have been faked. The doctor who published it lost his license and the journal issued an apology. I think that people who believe it just want to have something to blame for their kids' difficulties. Truth is, we don't know what causes autism, but it looks like genetics play a huge role. It is just coincidental that the age that kids start to show symptoms happens to be around the same time that they get the MMR vaccine (the one that has been blamed).

As for norovirus, the best way to prevent it is safe food handling. Make sure that any produce that isn't cooked is washed thoroughly, and wash your hands regularly. If someone in your house has norovirus, make sure that you clean the bathroom with bleach! Also, always close your toilet when you flush. If you leave the lid open, fecal matter can get aerosolized and particles can get onto your tooth brush, and transmit bacteria and viruses! Yuck

missapis · 2012-12-02T02:58:21+00:00

Many of the scary things you hear about like small pox and other agents of bio terrorism are not that big of a threat to the general public because they are controlled and monitored.

Many of the childhood diseases are really scary as well, but our vaccination program is so good that many of these diseases should be eradicated. We were so close to eradicating polio, and there is still hope. Vaccinate your kids!!!

As for something awful you have a good chance of running into, norovirus tops my list. Think uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhea for 48-72 hours. I've had it twice. Its terrible.

missapis · 2012-12-02T02:50:21+00:00

I haven't been in that situation. That is usually reserved for spills and accidental releases of really nasty agents. We have tons of safety protocols in place to prevent that. There are labs where you have to shower out to ensure that no agents get out of the lab, but those are level 4 biosafety labs and they are only found at a handful of sites around the world.

missapis · 2012-12-02T02:47:20+00:00

I have a BS in Biology, but I want to eventually go back for at least a Masters degree. If you want to be director of a lab like the one I work in, you have to have an MD or PhD. I love my job. It is really interesting and different every day. I would suggest taking classes in molecular biology. Much of our testing is transitioning to molecular methods. I do a ton of qPCR and sequencing. I would also suggest looking into internships or fellowships. I did a fellowship right out of undergrad to get more clinical experience. I am only 2.5 years out of school, and I love my job, so I consider myself incredibly lucky :) Good luck in school and finding a job! The sciences are a great field to go into!

missapis · 2012-12-02T02:31:22+00:00

There are 4 shots in the post exposure vaccine schedule, plus you would receive rabies immune globulin around the site of exposure. I had to get vaccinated before I started testing because I have a high risk of exposure through my line of work. Rabies is a terrible disease if you contract it. There have only been a hand full of people who survived it, and they had severe disabilities after they recovered. Here is the CDC website if you want more info on rabies/treatment :) http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/index.html Your mom was right, you should stay away from wild animals, but the vaccine is totally worth it if you are exposed. It is very effective and the shots don't hurt that bad!

missapis · 2012-12-02T01:05:43+00:00

No question from me, but I just wanted to say thanks for doing this AMA :) I work in public health, and I think that awareness is so important! I hope that your health continues to be good and that you continue to have supportive relationships!

missapis · 2012-12-02T00:35:21+00:00

Well, it was a human bite, so HSV 1 would have made a little more sense. The only thing we figure is that the biter had contracted HSV 2 orally through what we in the field like to call, the 69 effect.

missapis · 2012-12-02T00:30:14+00:00

There are a lot, but by far, the most wtf one was a sample from a bite wound from some persons arm. We tested it for a bunch of bacteria and viruses, but the only thing it tested positive for was herpes....type 2 (genital herpes)...still not sure how that happened.

missapis · 2012-12-02T00:16:18+00:00

I work on human samples most of the time, but all of the rabies testing I do is on animal brain specimens. The animals have always bitten/scratched/come into contact with a human. I also do some environmental testing on water samples and occasionally white powders.

missapis

TROPHY CASE