HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Infectious Disease News

Uncategorized

Antiemetic Treatments

January 24, 2020

Antiemetic treatment chart including drug formulations, strengths, and usual doses for nausea/vomiting.

All the prior steps in the HIV care continuum are meant to culminate in viral suppression, which the CDC defines as a viral load <200 copies/mL.1 Viral suppression reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 96%. Considering less than 37% of PLWH in the United States (diagnosed and undiagnosed) receive ART, it is not surprising that 70% of PLWH have not achieved viral suppression.2 The NHAS calls for an 80% rate of viral suppression in all people in the United States with HIV by 2020. Although the NHAS goal appears ambitious, one study found that 90% of US patients who received an HIV diagnosis and were retained at each successive step of the continuum achieved viral suppression.1 Healthcare providers play a critical role in ensuring that a seropositive patient makes it through each step. Although viral suppression is the last step in the continuum, providers should not ignore quality-of-life issues that persist after viral suppression, which may cause some PLWH to regress on the continuum.1

Diagnostics

Disagreement on Diagnostic Use of Procalcitonin Levels

By

Zahra Masoud

January 24, 2020

There is no consensus among the clinical practice guidelines on the use of procalcitonin for diagnosing infections.

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds. Patients should receive five doses of DTaP vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years.

GI Illness

Vaccine-Related Viral Shedding Leads to High Rate of Rotavirus Overdiagnosis

By

Infectious Disease Advisor Contributing Writer

January 24, 2020

Over a 2-year period, roughly half of positive cases of rotavirus in infants were the result of vaccine-related viral shedding.

Influenza

Enhanced Influenza Vaccines Offer Improved Antibody Response in Older Adults

By

Sweta Gupta

January 24, 2020

Compared with a standard-dose influenza vaccine, several enhanced influenza vaccines improved humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in older adults.

Pediatric hospitalization, child in hospital bed

GI Illness

Enterovirus A71 Outbreak in Children Identified in Colorado Hospital

January 24, 2020

In an observational cohort study, details are presented for an outbreak of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) neurological disease in children who presented to a Colorado hospital for treatment.

Skin Infections

Household Transmission of MRSA Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

By

Bradley van Paridon

January 24, 2020

Household environment plays a key role in the transmission of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections.

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Allergic Reactions to Non-Beta-Lactam Antibiotics

By

Stanford Shulman, MD

January 23, 2020

A study on pediatric antibiotic sensitivities and allergies provided information particularly relevant to pediatric, family practice, and infectious disease practices.