A Functional Medicine Approach to Infection Care
Infectious diseases are among the most common reasons patients seek medical attention, but not all infections are the same and neither is every treatment plan. At Vida Revival in Thousand Oaks, Dr. Diana Alavi provides personalized, integrative care for infectious diseases using both evidence-based medicine and functional health principles. From urinary tract infections to complex viral conditions like hepatitis B or C, Dr. Alavi works with each patient to ensure timely diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and long-term wellness.
Infections may appear suddenly or progress quietly over time. While some conditions clear on their own, many require early medical intervention to prevent complications and promote full recovery. What sets Vida Revival apart is Dr. Alavi’s ability to treat infections not just with medication, but with attention to the broader context of the immune system, gut health, inflammation, and lifestyle factors that influence recovery and recurrence.
Why Primary Care Plays a Critical Role
Most infections are treated in outpatient settings, making primary care the first line of defense for infectious disease management. But in many conventional clinics, the approach to infections is reactive, focused on symptoms and short-term relief. Dr. Alavi’s model at Vida Revival is proactive, combining diagnostics and therapeutics with an eye toward root causes and immune support.
By building long-term relationships with patients in Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village, and surrounding areas, Dr. Alavi ensures continuity of care for acute and recurring infections. Whether it’s a first-time episode of cellulitis or a long-standing viral diagnosis requiring ongoing monitoring, patients at Vida Revival receive comprehensive attention to both immediate symptoms and long-term immune resilience.
Common Infections Treated at Vida Revival
Many patients seek care only when symptoms become severe, but early intervention is essential. At Vida Revival, the goal is not only to treat the infection but to understand why it occurred and how to reduce the risk of future episodes.
Some of the most common infectious diseases treated by Dr. Alavi include:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): These painful infections are common, especially in women, and often recur without proper treatment. Dr. Alavi identifies underlying factors, such as hormonal shifts or gut dysbiosis, that may contribute to frequent infections.
- Pneumonia: Whether bacterial, viral, or atypical, pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening. Early diagnosis and tailored antibiotic or antiviral therapy are key, along with strategies to support respiratory health.
- Cellulitis: This bacterial skin infection can spread quickly if left untreated. Functional care at Vida Revival includes addressing skin barrier function, immune status, and inflammatory response.
- Hepatitis B and C: Chronic viral infections like hepatitis require careful monitoring, lifestyle support, and sometimes referral for specialty antiviral treatment. Dr. Alavi’s role includes lab tracking, immune optimization, and managing comorbid conditions.
Diagnostic Tools and Functional Evaluation
Conventional diagnosis often involves a basic blood panel or urinalysis, which may be enough to confirm an infection but not always enough to understand why it happened or how to prevent it again. Dr. Alavi integrates conventional testing with deeper functional medicine assessments when appropriate.
This might include advanced blood markers, inflammation profiles, microbiome analysis, or hormone testing. The goal is to build a complete picture of the patient’s health and immune function. By identifying subtle imbalances or triggers, she can recommend therapies that go beyond medication, supporting full recovery and lasting wellness.
In addition, patients with recurring or chronic infections often benefit from immune evaluation, food sensitivity screening, and gut health testing—factors often overlooked in traditional care models.
Personalized Treatment Plans for Infectious Conditions
Every patient’s treatment plan at Vida Revival is based on the type of infection, its severity, medical history, and current immune health. While prescription medications are sometimes necessary, especially for bacterial infections, Dr. Alavi also incorporates evidence-based supplements, dietary interventions, hydration support, and stress reduction strategies.
For example, a patient recovering from pneumonia may receive a tailored nutrient plan that includes immune-supportive vitamins and minerals, along with lung function monitoring and guidance on reducing environmental triggers. A patient with recurring UTIs might benefit from probiotic therapy, hormonal balance assessment, and bladder health education to address underlying contributors.
Infectious disease management is not only about resolving today’s illness, but about building long-term health resilience.
What to Expect During an Appointment
Patients can expect a thorough and thoughtful experience at Vida Revival. Dr. Alavi begins with a comprehensive medical history and symptom review, followed by targeted diagnostic testing based on current complaints and health history. Lab tests are selected carefully to avoid unnecessary costs while still delivering high-quality information.
Treatment options are explained clearly, and patients are invited to participate in decision-making. If lifestyle changes, supplements, or additional evaluations are recommended, Dr. Alavi ensures patients understand the rationale and expected benefits. Follow-up appointments are scheduled as needed to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments.
Signs You May Need Infectious Disease Care
Although some infections present with obvious symptoms, others may be subtler or progress slowly. Patients should consider seeking care if they experience:
- Persistent or recurring fever
- Pain or burning during urination
- Productive cough lasting more than a few days
- Unexplained fatigue or muscle aches
- Red, swollen, or warm skin patches
- Nausea or loss of appetite with upper right abdominal discomfort
- History of exposure to hepatitis or high-risk environments
Addressing these symptoms early improves the likelihood of a fast, uncomplicated recovery.
Prevention Strategies and Long-Term Wellness
Prevention is a core component of Dr. Alavi’s approach. At Vida Revival, preventive care is not limited to vaccines or antibiotics, it also includes restoring immune balance, reducing systemic inflammation, and optimizing nutrition.
Patients are educated on infection prevention strategies such as hand hygiene, seasonal wellness routines, immune-supportive diets, and safe practices for those at higher risk of hepatitis or respiratory infections. Regular check-ins and blood work help track trends over time and offer opportunities for early intervention.
Functional medicine adds an important layer to prevention by focusing on gut health, stress management, and environmental toxin reduction, all of which influence susceptibility to infections.
Supporting Recovery and Monitoring Chronic Infections
For patients with chronic or recurring infections like hepatitis B/C or recurrent cellulitis, the relationship with Dr. Alavi becomes a long-term partnership. Regular lab monitoring, medication reviews, lifestyle adjustments, and patient education are essential to maintaining stability and reducing flare-ups.
In these cases, the role of primary care is not simply to refer to specialists, but to integrate all aspects of the patient’s care plan, ensuring consistency and support across multiple domains of health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of infections do you treat?
Dr. Alavi treats a wide range of infections including UTIs, pneumonia, skin infections, and viral illnesses like hepatitis B/C.
Do you prescribe antibiotics when necessary?
Yes, when appropriate. Antibiotic use is based on specific diagnoses and lab confirmation, with a focus on minimizing unnecessary prescriptions.
Can functional medicine help with recurring infections?
Absolutely. Functional medicine identifies root causes such as immune dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, or hormone imbalances that contribute to chronic infections.
Do you offer testing for hepatitis?
Yes, Dr. Alavi can perform diagnostic testing and ongoing monitoring for hepatitis B and C in her Thousand Oaks office.
How long do appointments take?
New patient appointments typically last 60 minutes, allowing time for a comprehensive review and personalized care plan.
Your Partner in Immune and Infection Health
Infections are not always predictable, but with the right medical partner, they don’t have to be disruptive or recurrent. At Vida Revival, Dr. Diana Alavi brings a thoughtful and integrated approach to infectious disease care, treating the whole person, not just the illness.
Serving Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village, and surrounding communities, Dr. Alavi is committed to delivering high-quality, personalized care rooted in both conventional science and functional healing. Whether you’re recovering from a common infection or managing a chronic viral condition, you’ll find a trusted partner in your health journey at Vida Revival.
If you’ve been experiencing recurrent infections, unusual symptoms, or want to optimize your immune system, schedule an appointment today with Dr. Diana Alavi at Vida Revival in Thousand Oaks. Early, thoughtful intervention can make a lasting difference.
