• Articles

    Nongenital Herpes Simplex Virus

    RICHARD P. USATINE, ROCHELLE TINITIGAN

    Nongenital infections caused by herpes simplex virus often can be diagnosed by patient history and clinical presentation of lesions. Oral treatment with acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir is more effective than topical treatments.

    Management of Influenza

    IRINA V. ERLIKH, SHERLY ABRAHAM, VASANTHA K. KONDAMUDI

    The 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus is expected to continue to circulate during the 2010–2011 season. The diagnosis of influenza should be made clinically, and the decision to begin antiviral therapy should not be delayed for laboratory confirmation of influenza....

    Altitude Illness: Risk Factors, Prevention, Presentation, and Treatment

    DAVID C. FIORE, SCOTT HALL, PANTEA SHOJA

    Acute mountain sickness is the most common presentation of altitude illness. It will usually resolve within three days but may progress to high-altitude cerebral edema. Descent is mandatory for all persons with high-altitude cerebral or pulmonary edema.

    Evaluation of Microcytosis

    MICHELE VAN VRANKEN

    Microcytosis is often discovered incidentally with a complete blood count performed for other reasons. The cause of microcytosis can usually be determined with appropriate history and laboratory testing. Because the condition is usually asymptomatic, physical examination...

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

    Most Toddler Vaccination Rates are Close to HHS' Healthy People 2010 Goals | <i>MedWatch</i>: FDA Restricts Rosiglitazone Use, Requests Withdrawal of Sibutramine | Cholesterol Levels in Women Vary with Menstrual Cycle Phase, Study Says | HHS Proposed Rule Imposes Medicare...

    Editorials

    Influenza Management Guide 2010–2011

    MINA MATIN, RONALD H. GOLDSCHMIDT

    Last year, the new strain of influenza we now know as 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) hit the United States and worldwide. Vaccine makers scrambled to manufacture adequate supplies; however, a temporary lack of sufficient vaccines required prioritization among patient groups...

    Editorials: Controversies in Family Medicine

    The Role of Nonstatin Therapy in Managing Hyperlipidemia

    JONATHAN R. MURROW

    When treating hyperlipidemia, physicians often face the question of the clinical value of nonstatin drugs, including bile acid sequestrants, fibrates (fibric acid derivatives), niacin, and cholesterol-absorption inhibitors. This editorial highlights the most prominent trial...

    For Hyperlipidemia, Go Where the Evidence Takes You: Give a Statin and Nothing Else

    DANIEL L. SONTHEIMER

    Only statins have patient-oriented evidence supporting their role in reducing all-cause mortality. The NCEP–ATP III guidelines offer a nine-step approach for reaching target lipid levels, but the application to everyday practice is far simpler: If a patient with...

    Cochrane for Clinicians

    Does Metformin Increase the Risk of Fatal or Nonfatal Lactic Acidosis?

    WILLIAM E. CAYLEY, JR.

    In patients without standard contraindications to metformin therapy, metformin does not increase the risk of lactic acidosis.

    Usefulness of Measuring Antiepileptic Medication Blood Levels in Patients with Epilepsy

    DEB DREYFUS

    When treating a patient for epilepsy, there is not enough evidence to indicate if optimal seizure control is best obtained by routinely measuring medication levels compared with making adjustments based on the clinical picture.

    Curbside Consultation

    Spending Time with Patients in Labor

    MARTHA C. CARLOUGH, AMI GOLDSTEIN

    This scenario raises several key questions that are important not only to patient care, but also to physicians' quality of life and satisfaction with practice. First, what are the critical roles for the family physician during prenatal care, labor, and birth?

    Photo Quiz

    Pigmented Nodule Below the Eye

    ADAM B. WOLDOW, FARAMARZ H. SAMIE

    Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.

    Practice Guidelines

    AAN Updates Guidelines on Evaluating Driving Risk in Patients with Dementia

    LINDSEY HOOVER

    Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) updated guidelines for the evaluation and management of driving risk in persons with dementia. The new evidence-based guidelines offer characteristics that can help to identify persons that are at risk...

    Letters to the Editor

    Quality of Life After LASIK: The Picture Remains Hazy

    Case Report: Sebaceous Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Eyelid in an Older Patient

    JIYO SHIN, DIAMONDIS J. PAPADOPOULOS, FASDS WAYNE BLOUNT

    Provocative Diagnostic Testing for Cervical Radiculopathy

    DARRELL R. OVER

    Tips from Other Journals

    Oseltamivir Effective for Reducing Influenza Duration in Children

    DANIEL GIBBS, III

    Preventing Psychotic Disorders in High-Risk Patients

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Internal vs. External Monitoring of Uterine Contractions

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Can HSV-2 Suppression Reduce HIV-1 Transmission?

    KENNETH T. MOON

    Information from Your Family Doctor

    Herpes Virus: Cold Sores

    Cold sores usually show up on the lips or mouth as a cluster of blisters with a red base. They are also called “fever blisters.” They may be painful and feel itchy, dry, and crusty. If the blisters come back another time, they may cause a tingling feeling before they appear...

    Influenza

    Influenza, also called the flu, is a viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. It is often confused with other illnesses, especially the common cold. The flu is more severe than a cold, usually comes on suddenly, and is caused by a different virus. In 2009, a new strain...



    Disclosure

    All editors in a position to control content for this activity, AFP journal, are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships. View disclosures.


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