An ongoing dialogue on HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases,
December 25th, 2016
Ebola Vaccine, a New Use for Listerine, USPSTF on HSV, Nether Grooming, and More: A Christmas and Hanukkah Overlap ID Link-o-Rama
A few notable ID stories out there for this remarkable convergence in our Judeo-Christian holiday calendar: Experimental Ebola vaccine “100%” effective. Impressive scientific progress on prevention of this terrifying disease, with even better strategies expected soon. 10 days of antibiotics is better than 5 for childhood (age < 2) otitis media. For the record, my “inside source” on […]
December 18th, 2016
Holiday Distractions, Dirty Pets, and Time to Vote for Your Favorite Cartoon Caption
Many people find it tough to concentrate at work this time of year. So much to juggle: Holiday parties. Shopping. Travel plans — specifically, should we go with DEET or picaridin? Lots of high-carb, high-calorie foods stealing blood from our brains. Maybe too much eggnog or punch doing the same thing. Kids on vacation, with their demands […]
December 11th, 2016
You Want Guidelines? We Got Guidelines!
About a million years ago — in other words, probably sometime during my ID fellowship — I asked transplant ID guru Bob Rubin how various ID guidelines came together, including one on antifungal therapy he had just led. “You lock a bunch of experts in a hotel conference room,” he said. “Provide them plenty of food and […]
December 4th, 2016
Just Wondering: Quick ID/HIV Questions to Ponder During Month Number 12
A selection of ID/HIV questions that have been dogging me over the past year, some longer: Why is there no reliable, readily available PCR diagnostic test for malaria? Seems especially ironic since the one for babesia has become so commonly used. Does the Binax antigen test make it unnecessary? Why aren’t we actively recommending Zika testing for couples who return […]
Paul E. Sax, MD
Associate Editor
NEJM Clinician
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