Less than a week since the first human cases of H7N9 infection were announced by Chinese authorities, world animal health authorities already have information on possible animal sources and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to… Read More ›
Over the last decade, most acute care hospitals have been able to reduce 30-day mortality rates for patients with myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia. But small rural hospitals participating in a federal program to increase rural access have… Read More ›
The identification of 3 unrelated cases of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza in China has prompted international concern. Outbreaks of avian influenza, which primarily affects birds, may cause poultry growers to lose thousands of animals and incur large economic… Read More ›
Benzodiazepines, a commonly prescribed class of drugs used for treating insomnia, anxiety, and other conditions, may also increase a person’s risk of contracting and dying from pneumonia. Patients who were taking these drugs or had taken them in the past… Read More ›
The deaths of 3 family members coinfected with seasonal influenza and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have prompted public health officials to remind clinicians how serious such infections can be. A report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention… Read More ›
Reported cases of legionnaires disease, a potentially life-threatening pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, and a milder influenza-like illness called Pontiac fever that is also caused by the same bacterium, have nearly tripled over the past decade, according to a report… Read More ›
A new strain of adenovirus that proved deadly among a colony of monkeys at a California research center reportedly has crossed species, infecting a researcher who cared for the monkeys and 2 of the researcher’s family members. Adenoviruses cause a… Read More ›
Chronic lung disease can be a revolving door for patients and their physicians. Inhaled corticosteroids often keep symptoms from worsening, but some studies show the medication also increases the risk of pneumonia. As a result, many physicians believe the greater… Read More ›
