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KENNETH W. LIN, JEFFREY T. KIRCHNER
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease, but it still affects more than 400 million persons worldwide. Medical therapies for chronic hepatitis B infection include interferon alfa-2b, lamivudine, and the nucleotide analog adefovir dipivoxil.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects the liver. You can get HBV infection from blood and body fluids such as saliva and semen. If a pregnant woman is infected with HBV, her baby also may be infected at birth.
DANIEL L. STULBERG, JEFF WOLFREY
Pityriasis rosea is characterized by an initial herald patch and subsequent development of a diffuse papulosquamous rash that follows Langer's lines. Although medications can be used to relieve itching, the condition usually resolves without treatment within three months.
Pityriasis rosea is a scaly, reddish-pink skin rash. (Say: pit-ih-rye-ah-sis row-see-ah) It is most common in children and young adults.
RICHARD E. ALLEN
When fitted properly and used correctly and consistently, the diaphragm is an effective barrier contraceptive.
A diaphragm (say: die-ah-fram) is a shallow cup made of latex or silicone (see picture 1.) It is used for birth control.
For good birth control, your diaphragm (see picture 1) has to fit well. Your doctor will measure your vagina to find the correct size and fit for you.
JERRY L. OLD, MICHELLE CALVERT
Vertebral compression fractures are common in the elderly, especially those who have osteoporosis, and can range from mild to severe. Severe cases can result in significant pain and loss of ability to perform activities of daily living.
RICHARD W. CRUMMER, GHINWA A. HASSAN
Tinnitus is a common condition, often resulting from an otologic disorder. The severity of tinnitus varies from occasional awareness of a sound to an unbearable sound that drives some persons to contemplate suicide.
Tinnitus (say “tin-night-us”) is a bothersome sound or noise in your ear. You might hear a ringing noise, or you may hear a roaring, buzzing, whistling, chirping, or hissing sound. Sometimes tinnitus is a symptom of a disease, like an ear infection or Meniere's disease.
Janis Wright
This issue of AFP offers for the first time a tear-out version of the updated childhood and adolescent immunization schedules. The perforated, fold-out schedules are printed in larger type and can be found in the “Practice Guidelines” section along with an editorial...
Matthew Neff
VHA Committee Makes Recommendations Concerning Chiropractor Issues | AAMC Report Shows An Increase in Medical School Applicants This Year | CDC Study Shows Overall Increase in Diagnoses of HIV Infection | HHS Launches Campaign to Educate Hispanics About Diabetes Prevention
Sarah Evans, Heather McNeill
It's official: every bit of physical activity counts. In the report of a 2001 state-based survey on physical activity in Americans, published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded its definition of...
JOHN G. GUMS
Office-based physicians in the United States write approximately 1 million prescriptions for antibiotics annually. About one half of these prescriptions are inappropriate because they are used for conditions caused by viruses, such as colds and chronic coughs, according to...
During a high school basketball game, Jake took a turnaround jump shot, landed awkwardly, and twisted his left knee. Diagnosis: tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus. Jake had surgery and then worked hard at rehabilitating his knee during the next six...
WILLIAM E. CAYLEY, JR.
Adding digitalis to treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and diuretics will reduce hospitalization rates and improve clinical status in patients in normal sinus rhythm with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and symptoms of CHF on moderate...
DAVID A. FITZMAURICE, RICHARD HOBBS, RICHARD J. MCMANUS
What are the effects of treatments for proximal deep venous thrombosis? What are the effects of treatments for isolated calf venous thrombosis? What are the effects of treatments for pulmonary embolism? What are the effects of computerized decision support on oral...
Kenneth Fink, BARBARA CLARK
Case study: PK, a 65-year-old black woman, comes to get her annual influenza vaccination. She says she appreciates your recent visit to her mother, who is recovering from surgery following a hip fracture. PK asks if she should be screened for osteoporosis
JACQUELINE REARDON JONES, CHRISTOPHER L. PARMAN
Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.
RICHARD KENT ZIMMERMAN
The 2004 Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, January to June, is now available and includes updates on childhood immunizations.
CARRIE MORANTZ, BRIAN TORREY
Clinical Performance Measures for Cardiovascular Disease | Report on Outbreaks of Aseptic Meningitis | AHRQ Report on Inhaled Anthrax and Influenza
MARIAN L. SWINKER
Many practical factors mitigate against a physician taking a sick day. For physicians in private practice, the economic considerations are great because office overhead and staff payroll costs continue during their absence. Even salaried physicians are subject to the powerful...
Painful urination can be caused by several things. A common cause is a urinary tract infection (also called a UTI or bladder infection). Urination may hurt if your bladder is inflamed. Inflammation can happen even if you do not have an infection. Some medicines can inflame...
Urinary reflux is when urine in the bladder backs up into the kidneys. Urine normally goes only one way—from the kidneys down into the bladder. So when urine flows backwards from the bladder, bacteria (germs) can get into the kidneys. This can lead to infection in the urinary...
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in the kidneys, the bladder, or the urethra. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that lie against the spine in the lower back. Blood flows through the kidneys. Waste products from the blood are removed in the kidneys and...
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria (germs). The most common kind of UTI is a bladder infection. Other kinds of UTIs are kidney infections and infections of the urethra. The urethra is the small tube that goes from the bladder to the outside of your body.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in the kidneys, bladder, or urethra. Any part of your urinary tract can become infected. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that lie against the spine in the lower back. Blood flows through the kidneys. Waste products from...
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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