An ongoing dialogue on HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases,
April 30th, 2017
Celebrating the Invaluable Knowledge and Expertise of ID Specialist PharmD’s
Since expression of gratitude makes you happier — hey, I read it on the internet — and whining does the reverse, I’ve decided to turn what was going to be a typical rant about dealing with insurance companies into an expression of thanks to a remarkable group of professionals. Namely, the Doctors of Pharmacy (PharmD’s) who specialize in […]
April 22nd, 2017
If United Airlines Ran Your Doctor’s Office Practice
Man Dragged from Doctor’s Office Exam Room; Investigation Ongoing April 22, 2016 MIDDLETON, MINNESOTA — Mr. Thomas Anderson was scheduled to see Dr. Wilson Smith yesterday for evaluation of low back pain. He left his appointment with considerably more than that. In a bizarre series of events that Middleton law enforcement officials are still investigating, Anderson sustained facial injuries […]
April 16th, 2017
Mark Wainberg and the Enduring Importance of 3TC
Last week, the HIV/ID research world lost one of its leaders and pioneers when Dr. Mark Wainberg unexpectedly died. An astute, thoughtful virologist — and a warm, engaging person — he led the HIV research program at McGill University in Montreal for years, contributing to the field both through his research and patient advocacy. A strong voice […]
April 5th, 2017
Here’s What Happens When You Search “Infectious Diseases” on a Stock Photo Site
Everyone knows a stock image when they see one. The people don’t look real, the activities are staged, and everything has an air-brushed, frozen quality that screams, “This is not a real thing, but we need some copyright-free graphics and this is the best we can do.” Strangely depersonalized group photos, animals in human activities, and computer-created illustrations […]
March 25th, 2017
HIV and Hepatitis C Are No Longer the Most Serious Infectious Threats to People Who Inject Drugs
I had dinner with my daughter Mimi the other evening, and was ruminating about how things have changed since I started work as an Infectious Diseases doctor around 25 years ago. Here’s an excerpt of our chat: Me: There are way more cases of endocarditis in young people than there used to be, a complication of injecting drugs. People in their […]
March 19th, 2017
What Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price Should Be Saying About Required Immunizations
In case you missed it, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price said this past week that the states should make decisions about mandatory vaccination policies. Here’s the actual clip: HHS Secretary Tom Price says it should be up to states to regulate whether immunizations are required https://t.co/soyH0YpO5E — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 16, 2017 What’s […]
March 14th, 2017
Poll: Should We Allow 24-Hour Shifts Again For Interns?
Over on Boston’s NPR site, I wrote a piece about the decision by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to allow 24 hour (or longer) work shifts again for interns. My goal in writing the piece was to relay what I experienced doing these long shifts way back when during my internship — the […]
March 5th, 2017
High-Dose Flu Vaccine, Robert De Niro Challenge, Antibiotics for Colds, and More: March Comes in Like a Lion ID Link-o-Rama
Here are a few ID/HIV items blowing around the neighborhood on this, a bitterly cold and windy first weekend of March (at least here in Boston): Compared with the standard dose vaccine, the high-dose flu vaccine reduced deaths among older adults. The benefit was seen in the 2012-13 flu season, but not 2013-14. The authors speculate that the […]
February 26th, 2017
Improving Outcomes with ID Consultation: Three More Papers For the Collection
Several years ago, one of my very brilliant colleagues posed an interesting question. Why do ID specialists even exist? “After all,” he said in an accent that happens to be a distinctive mix of several former British colonies. “There is nothing we do that other doctors couldn’t also do, provided they had the motivation.” He had a point — […]
February 19th, 2017
Really Rapid Review — CROI 2017, Seattle
The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) returned to Seattle this past week for its 24th meeting. It’s the 4th time CROI has been held in Seattle, an excellent city for a meeting of this size, which includes “only” 4200 people. The convention center is pleasant and user-friendly — big but not cavernous, actually encourages […]
Paul E. Sax, MD
Associate Editor
NEJM Clinician
Biography | Disclosures & Summaries
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FROM NEJM — Recent Infectious Disease Articles- The Eyes Have It March 5, 2026A 47-year-old man was brought to the ED by EMS after being found dyspneic in his car. He reported having been drinking for 6 hours before presentation. He noted a sensation of tongue swelling and difficulty breathing.
- Cabotegravir plus Rilpivirine for Persons with HIV and Adherence Challenges February 26, 2026In persons with HIV and barriers to adhering to antiretroviral therapy, a long-acting injectable treatment (monthly cabotegravir plus rilpivirine) resulted in better virologic control than standard oral ART.
- Microbial Flora in War Wounds from the Ukrainian Front Line February 26, 2026Battlefield injuries are often contaminated with potentially infecting microbes. In this study, swabs obtained in the field after injury were profiled. Microbes and potential antimicrobial-resistance genes were characterized.
- Primary Measles Infection February 26, 2026A previously healthy man presented with a 5-day history of fever, nausea, and vomiting and a 2-day history of an itchy rash. Examination showed an exanthem consisting of minute macules and subtly elevated papules.
- From Efficacy to Access in Long-Acting HIV Therapy February 26, 2026Over the past three decades, advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) have dramatically improved life expectancy, decreased frailty, and improved quality of life for persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).1,2 These gains have accrued primarily among those who can reliably access health care and adhere to daily treatment. For...
- The Eyes Have It March 5, 2026