July 15, 2004

Over the past decade, the annual number of new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been relatively stable but remains unacceptably high (an estimated 40,000 new cases per year). Furthermore, the demographics for HIV infection are changing. Rates of new…

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown cause affecting young and middle-aged adults. Patients commonly present with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, pulmonary infiltrates, and ocular and skin lesions. The heart, liver,spleen, salivary glands, muscles,bones…

Heel pain is a common condition in adults that may cause significant discomfort and disability. A variety of soft tissue, osseous, and systemic disorders can cause heel pain. Narrowing the differential diagnosis begins with a history and physical examination of the lower…

In elderly patients, failure to thrive describes a state of decline that is multifactorial and may be caused by chronic concurrent diseases and functional impairments. Manifestations of this condition include weight loss, decreased appetite, poor nutrition, and inactivity. Four…

How deceptive appearances can be! Maria resembled all the other young, healthy women who receive prenatal care at our clinic. She seemed to be a low-risk 18-year-old. She was in her first romantic relationship and, although her pregnancy was unplanned, she was happy about it…

In this issue of American Family Physician, Robertson and Montagnini1 review the challenges of caring for an aged patient with multiple problems whose health and vitality are rapidly declining. The term “failure to thrive,” which was borrowed from health care for children to…

In an article on page 295, Joel E. Gallant, M.D., M.P.H., John Hopkins University School of Medicine, provides a review of counseling, testing, and referral of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In an effort to reduce the annual number of new cases of…

FDA Warns Against Using Domperidone to Increase Breast Milk Production | AAFP Members Visit Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. | CDC Reports Data on Suicide Behaviors, Risk Factors, and Prevention | AAFP Sponsors National Conference for Residents and Medical Students | HHS Awards…

Man’s best friend also may be man’s best workout buddy. Two studies reported in the online version of USA Today show that dog owners and their pets can benefit from teaming up to lose weight. In the first study, 11 overweight dog owners were instructed to follow a low-fat diet…

I get on edge when Mr. Torres, a Spanish-speaking man with AIDS, tells me he’s out of antiretroviral medications. How did this happen? Mr. Torres’ Medicaid insurance has a spend-down provision—every month he has to show proof that he’s purchased $170 worth of medications before…

This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on behavioral counseling interventions to reduce alcohol misuse in primary care patients and the supporting evidence, and it updates the 1996 recommendations contained in the Guide to…

Like other PDE5 inhibitors, tadalafil effectively improves the ability of men with erectile dysfunction to achieve an erection and successfully complete intercourse. It is less effective, although still useful, in some men with ED due to diabetes. Its longer duration may…

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

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has released an evidence-based position statement on the treatment of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause to provide recommendations on the most effective treatments.

Treatment of Infantile Spasms

Dystocia and Augmentation of Labor

Recommendations for Exercise After Stroke

There are many ways to lower your risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. You can get HIV infection from blood, semen, or vaginal fluid. If a mother has HIV infection, her baby can become infected during birth or from breastfeeding.