Hande Aygün, MD

Hande Aygün, MD is a specialist in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Acibadem International Hospital in İstanbul, where she works in the Infectious Diseases Department. With more than 27 years in medicine, she sees adult patients with a broad range of acute and chronic infections, as well as patients who are seeking preventive advice on adult vaccination or travel health before a journey abroad.

Dr. Aygün graduated from Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine in 1999 and completed her specialty training in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 2005. She has worked within Acıbadem Healthcare Services since 2005. She is a member of KLİMİK, the Febril Nötropeni Association, EKMUD and the Viral Hepatit Savaşım Association. Her published work includes studies on the surveillance of vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization in hospitalized risk patient groups, antimicrobial therapy in neutropenic patients with malignancy, the in-vitro activity of fusidic acid against Staphylococcus aureus strains, a retrospective investigation of malaria cases, and case reports on Leuconostoc bacteremia and pulmonary Nocardia infection in a patient with nephrotic syndrome.

Clinical focus

Dr. Aygün’s clinical work covers infections acquired in the community as well as conditions that require longer-term monitoring. She assesses and manages hepatitis, HIV and AIDS, HPV, syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections. Her practice also includes shingles, lower respiratory tract infections and communicable diseases more generally. In each case, the approach typically involves a careful history, targeted laboratory testing where indicated, and a treatment and follow-up plan that is discussed with the patient.

Preventive care is a further part of her work. Dr. Aygün advises on adult vaccination, including which vaccines may be appropriate given a patient’s age, medical history or exposure risk, and provides travel health consultations for patients planning to visit regions where particular infections are more common. Recommendations are tailored to the individual’s circumstances rather than following a single fixed schedule.

How Dr. Aygün works with international patients

Dr. Aygün consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before a visit, the Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as laboratory and pathology results, X-ray, CT, MRI or ultrasound reports, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing test results and previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the available options. Video consultations are available for international patients who wish to discuss their situation before traveling or to follow up after a visit in İstanbul.