Sarah J. Dunstan

Infectious Disease Specialist

Female📍 Melbourne

About of Sarah J. Dunstan

Sarah J. Dunstan is an Infectious Disease Specialist based in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. She looks after people who need help when an infection is more complex than the usual run of illnesses. In many cases, that means figuring out what’s causing symptoms, and what treatment plan will work best.


Her work covers serious infections that can affect the brain and the whole body. This includes types of meningitis, such as bacterial meningitis and tuberculous meningitis. She also helps with illnesses like typhoid fever and salmonella enterocolitis, where quick and careful care matters. At times, she may be involved in ongoing management for conditions such as pulmonary tuberculosis, where treatment and follow-up are key.


Sarah also deals with rarer, less common conditions linked to infections. For example, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency can affect how some people respond to certain medicines. She may also care for cases like primary amebic meningoencephalitis, which is uncommon but serious, and needs fast action and close monitoring.


Infectious disease work is rarely one-size-fits-all. Different infections act differently, and the best next step can depend on a person’s age, other health issues, and how the illness is changing. Sarah focuses on getting the basics right, then adjusting as more information comes in. That might mean reviewing test results, talking through likely causes, and making sure treatment is safe and realistic for the situation.


Over time, her clinical experience has been shaped by caring for patients with a range of infection-related problems, from first presentation through to follow-up. She supports patients and families through the stressful parts of treatment, including when someone is quite unwell, when symptoms are not clear yet, or when care needs to be coordinated across different services.


Her education and specialist training help her work with infections that need careful thinking, dosing, and monitoring. While details of specific research projects and publications aren’t listed here, she stays up to date with current infectious disease knowledge as it changes over time. Clinical trial involvement isn’t shown in the information provided, so the focus here is on standard specialist care for infections.


If you’re in Melbourne and you’ve been dealing with an infection that feels hard to pin down or won’t settle, Sarah J. Dunstan’s role is to help guide decisions, support treatment, and keep care moving in the right direction.

Services & Conditions Treated

Bacterial MeningitisMeningitisSalmonella EnterocolitisTuberculous MeningitisTyphoid FeverGlucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase DeficiencyPrimary Amebic MeningoencephalitisPulmonary Tuberculosis

Publications

1 total

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in pregnancy: A systematic review.

PLOS global public health • July 18, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Dr Sarah J. Dunstan offer?
Dr Dunstan focuses on infectious diseases with services including diagnosing and managing meningitis (bacterial and other forms), Salmonella enterocolitis, tuberculous meningitis, typhoid fever, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency issues, primary amebic meningoencephalitis, and pulmonary tuberculosis.
Which conditions can Dr Dunstan help with?
She commonly helps with meningitis of various types, Salmonella infections, tuberculosis affecting the lungs or meninges, typhoid fever, G6PD deficiency concerns related to infections, and rare brain infections like primary amebic meningoencephalitis.
How do I book an appointment with Dr Dunstan in Melbourne?
To book an appointment, contact the Melbourne, VIC clinic where she practices. The clinic can organise suitable times and check any referrals or tests you may need.
What should I expect at an infectious disease appointment?
The visit will usually involve a discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and any current infections. Tests or scans may be ordered if needed to confirm a diagnosis and guide treatment.
Who should consider seeing an infectious disease specialist like Dr Dunstan?
People with suspected meningitis, tuberculosis, Salmonella infections, or other complex infections, especially if they have persistent or unusual symptoms, may benefit from a specialist infectious disease consult.
Is information about my illness shared with other doctors?
Yes. With your consent, your treatment information can be shared with your other healthcare providers to coordinate care and ensure you get appropriate treatment.