Common Skin Rashes in Children

Childhood skin rashes are common in primary care and are usually diagnosed clinically based on morphology, distribution, associated symptoms, and clinical course. Treatment depends on the underlying diagnosis and severity. Accurate recognition of common rash patterns can guide appropriate management, limit transmission when relevant, and reduce the risk of complications.

CME Quiz

CME credits

CME expires

Primary Care for People With Alcohol Use Disorder

People with alcohol use disorder are nearly twice as likely as the general population to have a primary care physician. Physicians should be aware of common complications that are caused by, or co-occur with, heavy alcohol use and be able to identify and treat these conditions appropriately.

Influenza: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for people 6 months and older, including pregnant individuals, who do not have a contraindication to vaccination. Although most patients do not require treatment for influenza, antivirals should be started as soon as possible for patients who are hospitalized, have severe or progressive illness, or are at high risk of influenza complications.

Browse full issue

Online Ahead

Measles: Rapid Evidence Review

2026-2027 Influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 Immunization Recommendations for Nonpregnant, Immunocompetent Adults and Health Care Personnel

Past Issues

Featured articles

See full issue

Ear Pain: Diagnosing Common and Uncommon Causes

Otalgia, or ear pain, presents as primary (ie, originating from the ear) or secondary (ie, referred from nonotologic sources). Evaluation should include a focused history and physical examination, with further assessment for concerning or persistent findings.

Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation Principles, Coordination, and Collaboration

Family physicians can coordinate and collaborate with physical therapists by identifying patients for referral, using core rehabilitation principles to bridge care, and understanding the effectiveness of modalities used by physical therapists to augment neuromuscular re…

Spondyloarthropathies

Spondyloarthropathies are inflammatory syndromes that share genetic predisposition (HLA-B27) and clinical findings such as inflammatory back pain, peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, and enthesitis.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive behavior therapy is an evidence-based, time-limited psychotherapy that uses goal-oriented interventions to treat various mental and physical health conditions across the lifespan. It is used alone or with medication to modify maladaptive thinking and behavior patterns.

CME Quiz

CME credits

CME expires

Featured articles

See full issue

Healthy Dietary Advice in Clinical Practice: Recommendations for Family Physicians

Family physicians should counsel patients to prioritize whole, plant-based foods; limit ultra-processed products; and promote culturally flexible dietary patterns, referring to dietitians when needed.

Crohn's Disease: Diagnosis and Management

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract and often causes extraintestinal manifestations. Evaluation includes endoscopy, imaging, and fecal calprotectin testing. Management is guided by disease severity, complications, and…

Aortic Stenosis: Diagnosis and Treatment

Most patients with aortic stenosis are asymptomatic initially, but as the disease progresses to severe stenosis, symptoms may develop, leading to the need for valve replacement. Management is dependent on many factors, including symptoms, severity, rate of progression, and left…

Discontinuation of Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder: Methods and Risks

Patient-initiated discontinuation of buprenorphine should involve shared decision-making, flexible tapering plans, and overdose prevention. For some patients, sustained dose reduction may be a more feasible end point than complete cessation.

CME Quiz

CME credits

CME expires

Featured articles

See full issue

Atypical Moles

Atypical moles are associated with increased risk of melanoma and should prompt periodic, systematic skin examination. Management includes clinical assessment with dermoscopy, excisional biopsy, and postbiopsy monitoring.

Climate-Smart Health Care: Role of the Family Physician

Climate change caused by humans continues to accelerate, causing more frequent and severe weather events. Physicians can play a pivotal role in managing environmental health risks, such as heat and air pollution, and counseling patients on plant-forward diets and active…

Knee Pain in Adults and Adolescents: The Initial Evaluation

Knee pain is prevalent across age groups, commonly related to osteoarthritis in older adults and patellofemoral syndrome in younger adults. Assessment includes a detailed history, physical examination (inspection, palpation, range of motion, strength testing, and specialized…

Evaluation of the Painful Eye

The evaluation of patients presenting with eye pain should focus on identifying potentially emergent causes that require prompt evaluation and treatment. Most causes of eye pain can be diagnosed by history and physical examination, including functional and anatomic assessment.

CME Quiz

CME credits

CME expires

Resources

AFP by Topic
Explore 70 curated topics from past issues
Department Collections
Get the best of every AFP department
Video Collection
Watch and learn on a variety of topics
Patient Handouts
Informational handouts that physicians can provide to their patients
Algorithms
Diagnostic and treatment algorithms to aid in clinical decision making
AAFP Audio App
Audio versions of AFP content and much more