One area of public health that graduates from a Masters in Public Health program can seek careers in is that of Infectious Disease. Public Health workers in the specialization of Infectious Disease find sources of outbreaks and ways to control them in addition to ways to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases from happening. Most people who work in the public health field of Infectious Disease work for the government at regulatory agencies like the Center for Disease Control (CDC), but they can also find jobs in hospitals, corporations and other places in the private sector. There are many jobs to be had in the field of Infectious Disease, but for the sake of this article, we will discuss only five of them.

1. Infectious Disease Epidemiologist – The Infectious Disease Epidemiologist conducts research into infectious diseases, observes occurrences of specific infectious diseases, and come up with ways to control and prevent infectious diseases. Infectious Disease Epidemiologists work for the government, public health agencies, hospitals and even at universities. The annual salary of an Infectious Disease Epidemiologist varies depending on place of employment.
2. Research Technician – A Research Technician in Infectious Diseases conducts research in infectious disease. The Research Technician also aids in clinical studies on infectious diseases as well as handles data collection and other research functions as deemed necessary by their employer. The Research Technician in Infectious Diseases can find employment with hospitals, government agencies and groups that conduct clinical trials. Salary depends on place of employment and previous experience. 
3. Treatment Adherence Specialist – The Treatment Adherence Specialist is a career for the MPH program graduate who also has a degree either in Social Work or in Nursing. Treatment Adherence Specialists in Infectious Disease is in charge of making sure the patient complies with their medical treatment regarding their infectious disease as well as educating them on their disease. The Treatment Adherence Specialist also serves as a contact between the Infectious Disease department they work for and organizations dedicated to infectious disease causes. Treatment Adherence Specialists in Infectious Disease find work at hospitals. The annual salary does depend on the place of employment as well as education and experience.
4. Communicable Disease Prevention Specialist – The Communicable Disease Prevention Specialist probes into the causes of communicable diseases. They also study the effects that communicable diseases have on society and how to prevent the communicable diseases from happening. Communicable Disease Prevention Specialists find work in hospitals, government regulatory agencies and possibly even at universities. Salary for Communicable Disease Prevention Specialists varies depending on the employer and experience.
5. Virologist – The Virologist researches the characteristics of all microscopic organisms. Virologists also study the connection between microscopic organisms and diseases, as well as how medical treatments affect them. Virologists find employment with hospitals, research laboratories, universities and even regulatory agencies. The Virologist position does fall within the Microbiologist job category so it is necessary to have an undergraduate degree in the biological sciences as well as experience working in microbiology in addition to your MPH degree. The salary for the Virologist position varies depending on the place of employment and also on your education and previous experience.

Choosing a career in Infectious Disease can be exciting for a graduate from a Masters in Public Health program. Like all the other specialty fields, however, Infectious Disease is a serious matter. It takes someone serious and dedicated to the study, prevention and control of infectious diseases. This is one of those fields that should not be entered into because of the amount of money you will earn. Instead, you need to want to help eradicate the world of infectious diseases. If research in infectious diseases as well as helping those who already have the diseases sounds like your idea of the perfect career, then seek out a job that falls under the Infectious Disease category of Public Health. Above all, make sure it is a career field you can enjoy and make a difference in.

Sources:

• http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/474/Epidemiologist.html
• http://www.mymajors.com/careers-and-jobs/Virologist
• http://www.mymajors.com/careers-and-jobs/careerindex.cfml?title=Communicable-Disease-Specialist
• http://www.idm.pitt.edu/careeropps.asp
• http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/index.html
• http://www.stlrherc.org/c/job.cfm?vnet=0&site_id=1916&t4517=51114&sort=date_&jb=8549703
• http://www.socialservice.com/jobdetails.cfm/48636/Treatment-Adherence-Specialist-Social-Work-or-RN-Division-of-Infectious-Disease-Full-Time