Infectious Diseases
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Influenza update: A robust season but there's (some) good news
All key flu indicators are up from this time last year, reports Doug Campos-Outcalt, MD, MPA. But there is a bit of good news when it comes to...
News
Vaccines: Effectiveness vs. efficacy
Here’s a review of the math and meanings of vaccine effectiveness, vaccine efficacy, and confidence intervals.
From the Journals
Preoperative penicillin allergy tests could decrease SSI
Patients who report penicillin allergies are at higher risk for surgical site infections.
Conference Coverage
VIDEO: The return of Kaposi’s sarcoma
SAN DIEGO – Once again, dermatologists are seeing more cases of Kaposi’s sarcoma in HIV-positive patients, according to Toby Maurer, MD.
From the Journals
NASH rapidly overtaking hepatitis C as cause of liver cancer
The analysis is based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data.
From the Journals
HCV infection tied to premature ovarian senescence and a high miscarriage rate
Infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes in HCV-infected women appear associated with increased ovarian senescence.
Conference Coverage
Fluarix Quadrivalent effective in very young, simplifies flu shots for all ages
The Fluarix Quadrivalent vaccine’s efficacy against any severity of flu reduced health care utilization.
News from the FDA/CDC
Flu season shows signs of slowing
Flu outpatient activity down for second consecutive week, but hospitalizations continue to rise.
News
FDA warns against clarithromycin use in patients with heart disease
Clarithromycin may lead to an increased chance of heart problems or death years after use.
News
ACIP unanimously recommends HEPLISAV-B
ACIP includes HEPLISAV-B as a recommended vaccine against hepatitis B in adults.
From the Journals
Viremic suppression linked to decreased MACE rate in patients with HCV-cirrhosis
Viremic suppression was associated with a lower rate of cardiovascular events in patients with compensated HCV-related cirrhosis.