Slideshows

HIV viral load suppression

Selecting the Appropriate Test: Advantages and Drawbacks to Currently Available HIV Tests

Predictions in Medicine 2019: What’s Ahead

In a meta-analytic review that included 884 patients with HIV, 67% were found to have reduced BMD.2 Of these individuals, 15% had osteoporosis. When compared with a pooled analysis of HIV-negative uninfected controls from 11 other studies, individuals who were HIV positive were found to be 3.7 times more likely to have osteoporosis develop. Risk for reduced BMD was increased with ART, with ART-treated patients having a 2.5-fold increased risk for reduced BMD compared with patients who had never received ART. Protease inhibitor-treated patients also had an increased risk for reduced BMD vs those not treated with protease inhibitors.2

Bone Health in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

HPV Vaccine

HPV-Associated Neoplasms and Other Lesions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Photo Credit: Jim Dowdalls/Science Source.

Endocrine Alterations in Patients With HIV

Photo Credit: Allan Harris.

Skin Manifestations of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Improving Outcomes in HPV- and HIV-Related Cervical Cancer

The prevalence of psoriasis in people who are HIV positive is thought to be the same as that of the general population, but the condition might worsen or first be detected following HIV infection.2,22 The development of HIV-associated psoriasis has been associated with a poor prognosis in untreated patients, particularly those with late-stage disease.22 Patients with AIDS in whom severe exacerbations develop are at high risk for systemic infections, including Staphylococcus aureus superinfection.22 Psoriasis presentations vary in those with HIV and may be atypical.22 Plaque and erythrodermic psoriasis are most common, but several morphologic types can coexist. Classic findings of plaque psoriasis include symmetric erythematous patches or plaques with silver scales. Erythrodermic psoriasis may manifest as desquamate large scales resembling lamellar ichthyosis or as a chronic erythrodermic drug eruption. Rupioid psoriasis and sebopsoriasis may also be present.22

Skin Pathology Commonly Associated With HIV Infection

HIV Care Continuum: Updates, Goals, and Recommendations for the Future

Photo Credit: Dr Gopal Murti/Science Source.

Are Probiotics the Next Wonder Drug in HIV Care?

Published by the US Office of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines “moderate drinking” as 1 drink per day in women and 2 drinks per day in men.5 Regardless of any comorbid conditions, the effects of alcohol consumption can include reduced inhibitions, motor impairment, respiratory distress, coma, and death.6

Effects of Alcohol Consumption on the Body

Partner notification can be especially difficult for HIV-positive patients, but they should understand that they do not have to notify their partners alone. Most states have partner counseling and referral services (PCRS), which offer notification support and provide testing and counseling resources for at-risk partners. Through PCRS programs, supported notification can occur in the following 3 ways: 1) Provider referral - the healthcare provider or counselor provides the notification; 2) Contract referral - a contract is drawn up stipulating that the at-risk partners come in for counseling and testing by a specific date or notification by the healthcare provider or counselor will ensue; 3) Dual referral - the patient and partner provide notification together.16 High-risk and HIV-positive patients should be made fully aware of the resources available to them. The CDC offers a list of such resources on its website.

Addressing Stigma, Discrimination, and Disclosure in HIV

Studies have shown that healthy human gut microbiomes consist of approximately 1150 bacterial species, with most (50%–75%) being Firmicutes species, followed by Bacteroides (10%–50%), Actinobacteria (1%–10%), and Proteobacteria (<1%) species.2 The microbiome in patients with arthritis has been found to be significantly different from that of healthy people, often with increases in nonbeneficial or harmful bacteria, and decreases in beneficial bacteria. Numerous bacterial species have been associated with arthritis, including Bacteroides species, Prevotella species (particularly P copri), and infectious pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, and Shigella, especially in cases of reactive arthritis.2 Photo credit: SPL / Science Source

Role of Gut Microbiome on Spondyloarthritis

The use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy reduces perinatal transmission. All pregnant women with HIV should receive ART, regardless of CD4 cell count or plasma HIV RNA load, to prevent perinatal transmission. 1,2 The combination of maternal antepartum, maternal intrapartum, and infant prophylaxis is recommended to maximize infant pre-exposure and post-exposure.3

Approach to Reducing Vertical Transmission of HIV in Pregnancy

According to the US SPR report, "approximately 45% of all pregnancies are unintended, with higher proportions among adolescent and young women."

Updates to the US Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use

Officials with the World Health Organization are urging countries to take rapid action to improve knowledge about the disease, and to increase access to testing and treatment services.

World Hepatitis Day

Since 2004, the U.S. President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR, has supported local initiatives that encourage men and women to limit their number of sexual partners and delay their first sexual experience.

Abstinence-only Programs Ineffective in Fighting HIV

Preauthorization of broad-spectrum antibiotics and prospective review after two or three days of treatment should form the cornerstone of antibiotic stewardship programs to ensure the right drug is prescribed at the right time for the right diagnosis, according to recommendations included in the new guidelines

New Antibiotic Stewardship Guidelines

Some infections can be cured. Those that aren't curable can be treated.

STD Awareness Month

African Americans represent more than one-third of all people living with HIV in our nation.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness

Most of the survey respondents - 65% - reported having taken antibiotics in the six months before responding to the survey.

Public Awareness Survey on Antibiotics

Impressive and worthy of its own code.

Top 10 Weird ICD-10 Codes

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.

Vaccinating patients from infancy through adulthood

The 2014 Ebola Outbreak Involves the Ebola-Zaire Strain. Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever is a type of Filoviridae, an RNA virus, first discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), Africa. There are four strains of the severe, often-fatal disease – Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, Ebola-Ivory Coast, and Ebola-Reston.

How to Recognize Ebola Symptoms

Extend to cover wrist of isolation gown

Ebola-specific guidance on properly donning and removing personal protective equipment