Treatment of the Common Cold in Children and Adults

JULIA FASHNER, KEVIN ERICSON, SARAH WERNER

Antibiotics are not effective for treating upper respiratory tract infections in children and adults, and treatment should focus on symptom relief. Antihistamine/decongestant combinations are effective in adults, but over-the-counter cough and cold medications should not be...

Diagnosis and Treatment of Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

JONATHON M. FIRNHABER

Nonmelanoma skin cancer, which includes basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Although there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening, any suspicious lesions that are found through other examinations...

Causes and Evaluation of Chronic Dyspnea

STEVEN A. WAHLS

Chronic dyspnea is shortness of breath that lasts longer than one month. The causes of dyspnea are primarily of cardiac or pulmonary origin. Typical diagnostic test options include chest radiography, spirometry, and electrocardiography. Advanced studies, such as computed...

AAFP News Now: AFP Edition

Volunteers Needed for Participation in Alzheimer's Disease Study Initiative | New Vaccine for Infants Protects Against Meningococcal and Hib Diseases | CDC: Half of Adults Did Not Receive Key Preventive Health Services Before 2010 | EHR Incentive Program Surpasses Goals for...

Choosing Wisely: Top Interventions to Improve Health and Reduce Harm, While Lowering Costs

JAY SIWEK

Initially sponsored by nine medical specialty societies, the campaign consists of specialty-specific top-five lists of common tests and procedures that are often performed unnecessarily, when they are not likely to improve a patient's health. The primary focus of the campaign...

The “ARB-MI Paradox”: Real or a Fluke?

MARK A. GRABER, ROBERT DACHS, ANDREA DARBY-STEWART

In AFP Journal Club, three presenters review an interesting journal article in a conversational manner. These articles involve “hot topics” that affect family physicians or “bust” commonly held medical myths. The presenters give their opinions about the clinical value of the...

Heart Failure

ROBERT S. McKELVIE

What are the effects of multidisciplinary interventions, exercise, and drug treatments for heart failure?

Gastric Ulcer and Abnormal Findings on CT

GRIGORIY E. GURVITS

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

Treatment of Motion Sickness

MATTHEW SUTTON, ANNE L. MOUNSEY, ROGER G. RUSSELL

Scopolamine should be used to reduce nausea associated with motion sickness, but it does not reduce vomiting.

PIDS and IDSA Issue Management Guidelines for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Infants and Young Children

MICHAEL DEVITT

Previously published guidelines for the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults have been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality rates. The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) have created...

Treating the Common Cold in Adults

Most colds don't cause serious illness and will get better over time. Cold symptoms in adults can be treated with some over-the-counter medicines. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you.

Treating the Common Cold in Children

Most colds don't cause serious illness and will get better over time. Cold symptoms can be treated with some over-the-counter remedies, although some over-the-counter treatments shouldn't be used in young children. Always talk to your doctor before giving your child over-the...

Skin Cancer: Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. They are often called nonmelanoma skin cancers.