Infectious Diseases
Practice Alert
Tuberculosis : Old problem, new concerns
Q&A
Neuraminidase inhibitors slightly beneficial for shortening flu symptoms
BACKGROUND: Influenza epidemics cause considerable morbidity and mortality, and account for substantial time lost from work. In general, the...
Q&A
Blood cultures not helpful for community-acquired pneumonia
BACKGROUND: Many clinical guidelines recommend routine blood cultures in the initial evaluation of community-acquired pneumonia.
Q&A
Tricyclics and opioids effective for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia
BACKGROUND: Postherpetic neuralgia is defined as pain persisting at least 3 months following an acute episode of herpes zoster. TCAs and opioids...
Clinical Inquiries
How should we manage infants at risk for group B streptococcal disease?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Asymptomatic term infants whose mothers received adequate intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (defined as intravenous...
Q&A
Zinc nasal gel effective for the common cold
BACKGROUND: Although the common cold is self-limiting, adults develop colds approximately 2 to 4 times per year. Zinc may decrease the length and...
Q&A
Vaccine prevents genital herpes in subgroup of women
BACKGROUND: Can a vaccine prevent genital herpes? HSV infection occurs worldwide and is epidemic in some populations, despite the availability of...
Clinical Inquiries
How accurate is the clinical diagnosis of pneumonia?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: No element or combination of elements from the clinical history and physical examination are sufficiently sensitive or...
Original Research
Evidence-based guidelines for management of nursing home-acquired pneumonia
Q&A
Several options effective for postherpetic neuralgia
Alper BS, Lewis PR. Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a systematic review of the literature. J Fam Pract 2002; 51:121–8.
Clinical Inquiries
When should acute nonvenereal conjunctivitis be treated with topical antibiotics?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Children with suspected or culture-proven acute nonvenereal bacterial conjunctivitis should be treated with topical...