Point-of-care Ultrasound in Infectious Diseases: Current Insights and Future Perspectives

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a safe, noninvasive technique performed at the patient's bedside, providing immediate results to the operator. It complements physical examination and facilitates clinical decision-making. In infectious diseases, POCUS is particularly valuable, offering an initial assessment in cases of suspected infection. It often leads to an early tentative diagnosis enabling the prompt initiation of antimicrobial treatment without the delay associated with traditional radiology. POCUS provides direct visualization of affected organs, assists in evaluating fluid balance, and facilitates various interventions, all while reducing patient discomfort. For infectious disease specialists, becoming proficient in POCUS is a critical future challenge, requiring dedicated training for effective utilization. Point-of-care ultrasound offers noninvasive, bedside, immediate-result diagnostics, enhancing physical examinations and decision-making in infectious diseases, enabling prompt antimicrobial treatment initiation, and reducing patient discomfort, necessitating specialized training for infectious disease specialists.