Health

Pertussis guidelines updated

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 2, 2006

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revised its guidelines for treating pertussis. The disease, despite an effective childhood vaccination, has continued to infect large numbers of people, mostly teens and young adults. There were 25,827 cases reported in 2004, the highest number since 1959, according to the agency.

The updated guidelines, published in the Dec. 9, 2005, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, broaden the spectrum of antimicrobials to use when treating the disease.

The guidelines include dosing information for azithromycin and clarithromycin as well as the more standard erythromycin.

The CDC recommends continuing to vaccinate children ages 6 weeks to 6 years with diphtheria, tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine, DTaP.

In addition, the agency's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted last year to recommend a single dose of tetanus toxoid and reduced diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine, Tdap, for adolescents and adults younger than 65.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/01/02/hlbf0102.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn