Respiratory Infections

Recently, FDA reviewers met to discuss a new drug application submitted by Cempra Pharmaceuticals to treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.

Predicting how long it takes for an infectious disease outbreak to begin may help health officials develop an early warning system, according to the authors of a new study on lag times in epidemics.

Laura Cooley, MD, MPH, medical epidemiologist, Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Disease, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explains the current Legionella situation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 18 cases of new swine flu viruses in Ohio and Michigan state fair attendees, highlighting the need for precaution when handling pigs.

A new study by Public Health England researchers finds that disinfectants used against Klebsiella pneumoniae may be helping the pathogen develop new antibiotic resistance.

A new study from United Kingdom researchers finds that nearly one-quarter of the global population is infected with latent tuberculosis (TB), a finding that exposes the challenges ahead for the World Health Organization’s End TB Strategy.

Rebekah Stewart Schicker, MSN, MPH, APRN, Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explains her recent research on influenza antiviral treatment prescribing practices in 60 outpatient settings across the United States.

Researchers in the United States and South Korea recently studied the use of an experimental nanoparticle treatment that acts as a decoy to stop and kill the influenza virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released their Global Tuberculosis Report for 2016, emphasizing that today’s global actions and investments are falling far short of what is needed to stop the worldwide tuberculosis (TB) epidemic.

Jacob Morton, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, Antibiotic Stewardship Outcomes Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, clinical pharmacy research specialist, Wesley Healthcare, discusses his research on 30-day mortality in adults with pneumococcal disease.

Public-health experts recommend that the seasonal influenza vaccine be available in more non-medical settings in hopes that with increased accessibility, more people will choose to get vaccinated.

Rebekah Stewart Schicker, MSN, MPH, APRN, Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Influenza Division, explains how antiviral flu treatments may be affecting patients in the outpatient setting.

Rebekah Stewart Schicker, MSN, MPH, APRN, Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Influenza Division, discusses which outpatient populations are at highest risk of influenza-associated complications and the recommended treatments for these individuals.

At the Infectious Diseases Society of America Meeting, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Octavio Ramilo, MD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, gave a lecture on advancements being made when it comes to host response and pathogenesis of respiratory syncytial virus.

Researchers from Sweden’s Linköping University discover the pathway that leads to deadly infections in people co-infected with HIV and TB.

As the flu hits New Mexico, hundreds are reporting symptoms, while infection has only been lab-confirmed in two cases.

The first influenza cases of the 2016-2017 season were reported by the Minnesota Department of Health, a reminder for state residents to receive influenza vaccination.

Stephen Redd, MD (RADM, USPHS), Director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), discusses the 2016-2017 flu vaccine.

While health officials continue to search for more novel tools to fight tuberculosis, a team of researchers has found that a class of antibiotics first introduced in the 1960s may offer an important weapon against the outbreaks of today.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved its quadrivalent formulation of the Flublok influenza vaccine.

Researchers in a recent study investigated how mixed messages delivered by vaccine manufacturers may prevent women from receiving the safe and effective influenza vaccine during pregnancy.

In addition to licensed pharmacists, student pharmacists can play an important role in helping more Americans get vaccinated by participating in immunization campaigns throughout their communities.

Following the recent United Nations General Assembly meeting to discuss the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance, health experts are highlighting the role vaccines can play in preventing dangerous infections.

To assess factors associated with the likelihood that healthcare providers will accept seasonal influenza vaccine policy changes, Nova Scotia researchers examined the roles that their knowledge and attitude play in the matter.

Pharmacists are critical to expanding access to pandemic vaccination. However, little is known about the relationships and planning activities between public health programs and pharmacies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently met to establish new guidelines for the Southern Hemisphere’s 2017 influenza virus vaccine.

Recently, WHO published a paper outlining their decade-long initiative to increase access and regulate production of the influenza vaccine.

Over-the-counter diagnostic tests for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and pathogens associated with upper respiratory tract infections such as influenza and Group A Streptococcus may soon gain approval; however, making these tests immediately available to the public would not be without challenges.