February 15, 2010

Autism spectrum disorders include three core features: delays in social interaction, language impairments, and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Primary care physicians should perform developmental surveillance for autism at all well-child visits, and conduct screenings at…

Hawthorn is an herbal supplement with substantial evidence of clinical benefit for the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure. Although hawthorn is typically well tolerated, patients should be monitored closely because of theoretic concerns about interactions with other…

Usually, patients with severely elevated blood pressure do not have signs or symptoms of end-organ damage and do not require immediate treatment. Most patients without end-organ damage can be treated with a maintenance dose of an oral hypertensive and discharged, with repeated…

Evaluation of women with preterm contractions includes assessing for ruptured membranes and infection, and determining the likelihood of true labor through cervical ultrasonography and/or fetal fibronectin testing. Management of preterm labor consists of antenatal…

Sexual assault includes vaginal, oral, and anal penetration and is more broadly conceived than the legal definition of rape. Immediate care includes the treatment of injuries, prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections, administration of emergency contraception, and the…

Everyone at AFP is working to take advantage of new technology and make the AFP experience more valuable for readers and authors. We have launched two new online systems to improve AFP—Editorial Manager and a new, improved Web site.

AAFP Emphasizes Communication in Its Updated Breast Cancer Recommendations | FamilyDoctor.org Launches Content From Consumer Alliance With The Coca-Cola Co. | CMS Proposes Medicare Advantage Rule; Groups Urge Congress to Equalize Payment | AAFP Members Can Help Haiti Earthquake…

The personal side of medicine told from the patient's perspective. The patient's story is followed by commentary from a physician and a list of resources.

Adolescent dating violence is associated with increased rates of eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy, and continued perpetration and victimization, yet many physicians are unfamiliar with this term.1–3 Adolescent dating…

There is insufficient evidence to recommend combination therapy for the routine management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

What are the effects of nondrug, drug, and surgical treatments for osteoarthritis of the hip?

Dapsone is an antibiotic that has been used since the 1940s for the treatment of leprosy and skin disorders such as dermatitis herpetiformis and nodulocystic acne. Dapsone (Aczone) 5% gel is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acne…

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women at their first prenatal visit.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria with urine culture for pregnant women at 12 to 16 weeks' gestation or at the first prenatal visit, if later.

Case study: D.C., a 27-year-old woman at 15 weeks' gestation, comes to your office for her first prenatal visit. She is accompanied by her 56-year-old mother, whom you treat for type 2 diabetes.

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

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

A live, oral human-bovine reassortant rotavirus vaccine (RV5; Rotateq) was approved in 2006, followed by a live, oral human attenuated rotavirus vaccine (RV1; Rotarix) in 2008. Since the licensure of RV1, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its guidelines on…

Autism is a condition that makes it hard to communicate and relate to others. Sometimes it causes people to repeat behaviors over and over. People with autism will have it their whole lives. Some people will have mild symptoms and some will have more severe symptoms. Children…

Hawthorn is an herb that has been used to treat many health problems. It has been studied most as a treatment for mild heart failure. It helps the heart pump out more blood and opens up blood vessels to help with circulation. You can find hawthorn in most drug or health food…

It is when you are forced to have sexual contact that you do not want. You can be hurt or killed during a sexual assault. Many people get cuts, bruises, or broken bones.