March 1, 2009

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, the most common bacterial etiology of acute pharyngitis, can be detected with the use of laboratory testing (e.g., throat culture, rapid antigen detection) and clinical decision rules. Although treatment is not necessary, antibiotics can…

Excessive daytime sleepiness occurs in most patients secondary to sleep deprivation, obstructive sleep apnea, or medications that induce sleepiness. Less frequent causes include primary hypersomnias and other medical or psychiatric conditions. A sleep and medical history is…

Poisonings in children usually involve oral ingestion and occur in the home. Symptomatic patients should receive emergency stabilization. Although history and physical examination are usually sufficient, selective laboratory studies can confirm some toxins and guide appropriate…

Many family physicians are engaged in medical humanitarian operations throughout the developing world, and many more have considered such participation.1 The term ‘medical mission,’ originally a subset of religious missionary work, is used here to mean any humanitarian medical…

For men who engage in excessive or hazardous drinking and present to their primary care physician for issues not specifically related to alcohol treatment, an intervention of one to four sessions administered by a physician, nurse, or psychologist is effective in reducing…

When used as monotherapy or in conjunction with metformin (Glucophage) or thiazolidinediones, the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin (Januvia) decreases A1C levels by 0.7 percent, but there are no data on patient-oriented outcomes or long-term safety. Until more studies are completed…

Congress Reauthorizes Children’s Health Insurance Program, Expands Coverage | Access to Community Health Centers Reduces Emergency Department Visits | Salmonellosis Outbreak Reminds Physicians to Report Evidence of Foodborne Illnesses | Hib Disease Cases Linked to Vaccine…

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

Most accidental poisonings in children happen at home. You should keep all cleaners and medicines out of your child's reach. Many adult medicines can hurt or kill a child, even when taken in small amounts. Don't take your medicine in front of young children because they may…

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. It causes about one in 10 sore throats in adults and one in four sore throats in children. It is most common in late winter and early spring.