The HCPLive Infectious Disease condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on respiratory health. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, COVID-19, and more.
May 10th 2024
A Veterans Affairs study finds low alpha-1 antitrypsin phenotyping rates, indicating the need for improved healthcare provider education on AATD.
Hot Debate on Organ Distribution Proposal
Organ supply and demand varies sharply by geography in the US. "The status quo is intolerable-there is too much geographic disparity," said Michael Charlton, MD, speaking at a Sept. 16 meeting in Chicago where transplant surgeons and others debated a controversial proposal to consolidate the nation's current regional organ distribution districts. The forum was convened by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), a non-profit organization that under a contract with the federal Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) runs the current system of deciding which donor organs go where.
Enterovirus-D68 could soon be in the rearview mirror, according to a Hartford, CT, pediatric intensivist who has treated more than 20 children hospitalized with the infection. "We may have plateaued," said Christopher Carroll, MD, an asthma specialist at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. While children are still being admitted for respiratory problems, "Now it's more a mix of symptoms, not those of classic enterovirus." Though he could not say for certain the outbreak has peaked, he did say that "things are not continuing to get worse."
Enterovirus D68 Not Life-Threatening
As Enterovirus D68 continues to spread across the US, the prognosis for children who are hospitalized with infections tends to be good. That applies to children with asthma, as well. "It's hard to say whether this virus is hitting kids with asthma harder than other viruses-but it is not causing as severe symptoms as other viruses out there, like adenovirus," said Christopher Carroll, MD, a pediatric intensivist and asthma specialist at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, CT. "Even certain strains of rhinovirus are worse," Carroll said.
Delving Into Adherence With Multiple Sclerosis Therapies
September 16th 2014Adherence is defined as conforming to the recommendations made by the provider with respect to timing, dosage, and frequency of medication taking, and following these recommendations is important for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to fully benefit from disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).
Stage 2 Deadline Rapidly Approaching
The end of September will mark the deadline set for hospitals across the country to reach Stage 2 of the Meaningful Use program for the year and that means the clock is ticking for health care professionals around the country to meet the goals set for them.
Low Dose Computed Tomography Scanning for Patients at risk for Lung Cancer
September 2nd 2014The leading cause of cancer related deaths in both men and women is lung cancer. The 5-year survival rate of lung cancer is only 16%, as 75% of patients with lung cancer are presented with symptoms of advanced disease.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and of the top 5 causes of death, it is the only one that increased in incidence between 2007 and 2010, and our understanding of how to assess, manage, and treat COPD has advanced significantly over the past decade.
New Cystic Fibrosis Drug Counteracts Benefits of Another
A new cystic fibrosis drug appears to counteract the molecular effects of another drug for the condition, according to a recent study from researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and the Marisco Lung Institute.
To Answer Patient Questions, Physicians Turn to New Information Sources
July 14th 2014In a recent survey, physicians identified peer-reviewed journal articles, continuing medical education, evidence-based guidelines, and national experts as the most useful sources of information to stay current on therapeutic advances.
Fatality Risk Falling in Total Hip Replacement
July 9th 2014Thanks to better anesthetics, new surgical techniques, and more consistent anticoagulant use to prevent venous thromboembolism, mortality after total hip replacement surgery is rare. Nevertheless, a patient's risk of death briefly increases following the procedure.
Combining Cessation Therapies Helps Highly Nicotine-dependent Males Quit Smoking
July 2nd 2014Among highly nicotine-dependent male smokers, therapies that combine smoking cessation agents significantly increase the likelihood of quitting, according to a study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry.