HIV: immunisation The Department of Health ‘Greenbook’ on immunisation defers to the British HIV Association for guidelines relating to immunisation of HIV-infected adults Vaccines that can be used in all HIV- infected adults Vaccines that can be used if CD4 …
Vaginal discharge Vaginal discharge is a common presenting symptom and is not always pathological Common causes physiological Candida Trichomonas vaginalis bacterial vaginosis Less common causes whilst cervical infections such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea can cause a vaginal discharge this is …
Severe renal failure may cause a false negative test but CKD stage 3 would not. Tuberculosis: screening The Mantoux test is the main technique used to screen for latent tuberculosis. In recent years the interferongamma blood test has also been …
Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a double-stranded DNA virus and is spread through exposure to infected blood or body fluids, including vertical transmission from mother to child. The incubation period is 6-20 weeks. Immunisation against hepatitis B (please see the …
Post-exposure prophylaxis Hepatitis A Human Normal Immunoglobulin (HNIG) or hepatitis A vaccine may be used depending on the clinical situation Hepatitis B HBsAg positive source: if the person exposed is a known responder to HBV vaccine then a booster dose …
Mumps meningitis is associated with a low CSF glucose Mumps meningitis is associated with a low glucose in up to a third of patients Meningitis: CSF analysis The table below summarises the characteristic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings in meningitis: Bacterial …
Most common organism found in central line infections – Staphylococcus epidermidis Staphylococci Staphylococci are a common type of bacteria which are often found normal commensal organisms but may also cause invasive disease. Some basic facts include: Gram-positive cocci facultative anaerobes …
The two main tests used for screening in the UK are the Mantoux (skin) test and the interferon- gamma (blood) test. Whilst the use of the interferon-gamma test is increasing it is still reserved for specific situations, none of which …
The BNF recommends a twice a day dose of rifampicin for two days, based on the patients weight. Meningitis: management Investigations suggested by NICE full blood count CRP coagulation screen blood culture whole-blood PCR blood glucose blood gas Lumbar puncture …
Bacillus cereus infection most commonly results from reheated rice. Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis may either occur whilst at home or whilst travelling abroad (travellers’ diarrhoea) Travellers’ diarrhoea may be defined as at least 3 loose to watery stools in 24 hours with …