Infectious Diseases in Primary Care

This essential resource is designed to show primary care providers, family physicians, and internists how to recognize life-threatening emergencies, provide cost-effective management of all common infectious diseases that are prevalent today, and effectively use antimicrobial therapy. The clear organization begins with an overview of infectious diseases, followed by special topics related to pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, the elderly, and more. It emphasizes infection control in office practice, psychiatric considerations, and office laboratory testing in accordance with CLIA regulations. Comprehensive sections are devoted to HIV, travel medicine, pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, medical informatics, outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT), and bioterrorism - featuring the latest references on Anthrax - in the Emergencies chapterUnderscores the practical aspects of infectious disease management in primary care.Identifies pitfalls in infectious disease emergencies in primary care that might lead to errors in care resulting in death, disability, or litigation.Emphasizes special problems applicable to primary care that are not usually covered in other textbooks, including infection control in the medical office, early recognition of bioterrorism, psychiatric problems presenting as infectious diseases, and more.Provides detailed coverage of infectious diseases unique to special populations, such as pediatrics, OB/GYN practice, and the elderly.Includes a comprehensive chapter on outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT).Provides "fact sheet" handouts for patients on the wise use of antibiotics, as well as "buddy check" sheets for patients with probable self-limited viral syndromes that could prove to be the first symptoms of a more serious disease.Offers separate chapters on the practical aspects of antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antituberculous drugs that correlate pharmacology and clinical indications.Contains numerous illustrations that clarify important aspects of differential diagnosis for fever and rash that primary care clinicians should recognize, including unusual rashes that indicate serious conditions.Highlights the most relevant information essential to practice with concise bulleted points and a uniform, easy-to-read style.