Sunday, December 14th, 2008 at
10:39 PM
insidermedicine asked:
From Toronto – Public health authorities are trying to track down a woman who brought an injured bat to them. The bat has tested positive for rabies. Rabies can be fatal, but post-exposure prophylaxis, when delivered early, can cure the condition. Guidelines also recommend prophylaxis for children if a bat has been found in the room of a sleeping child.
From the Netherlands – The guidelines for how to manage COPD — a chronic lung condition that is most frequently associated with smoking — have been revised. Important changes include recommending antibiotics for exacerbations along with an increased emphasis on quitting smoking, eliminating occupational exposures, and alleviating poor air quality.
From Sweden – A new pill appears to be as good as regularly injecting blood thinners below the skin to lower the chances of developing a blood clot following hip surgery. In a study of over 3500 patients who had hip surgery, the pill was just as good as injections at lowering the risk of blood clot formation, which can happen to 1 in 5 patients. This is an important finding because more patients are leaving the hospital earlier after hip surgery, and taking a pill will ensure compliance.
And finally from London – British physicians are recommending that children aged 15 months be routinely screened for high levels of LDL, the so-called “bad” cholesterol. This is because while only 2 in 1000 have a hereditary condition that causes high cholesterol, testing at this age will detect the condition in most. Once aware, parents may modify diet and lifestyle at an early age, and can lower the chances of developing problems later in life.
For Insidermedicine in 60, I’m Dr. Susan Sharma.
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