Currently Viewing Posts in Infectious Disease

Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS)

29 April, 2020 Guillermo Firman

Chronic rhinosinusitis is defined by the presence of at least two out of four cardinal symptoms (i.e., facial pain/pressure, hyposmia/anosmia, nasal drainage, and nasal obstruction) for at least 12 consecutive weeks, in addition to objective evidence. Objective evidence of chronic rhinosinusitis may be obtained on physical examination (anterior rhinoscopy, endoscopy) or radiography, preferably from sinus computed tomography. Continue reading “Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS)”

Viral Dynamics of Coronavirus (Covid-19)

4 April, 2020 Guillermo Firman

A novel human coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified in China in December 2019. There is limited support for many of its key epidemiologic features, including the incubation period for clinical disease (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]), which has important implications for surveillance and control activities. Continue reading “Viral Dynamics of Coronavirus (Covid-19)”

Case Definition for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

26 March, 2020 Guillermo Firman

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Continue reading “Case Definition for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)”

Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)

14 March, 2020 Guillermo Firman

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Continue reading “Prevention of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)”

Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)

6 March, 2020 Guillermo Firman

During the initial phase of the Covid-19 outbreak, the diagnosis of the disease was complicated by the diversity in symptoms and imaging findings and in the severity of disease at the time of presentation. Continue reading “Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)”

Surveillance Case Definitions for Human Infection with Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19)

24 January, 2020 Guillermo Firman

Reported symptoms have included fever in 90% of cases, fatigue and a dry cough in 80%, and shortness of breath in 20%, with respiratory distress in 15%. Chest x-rays have revealed signs in both lungs. Vital signs were generally stable at the time of admission of those hospitalised. Blood tests have commonly shown low white blood cell counts (leucopenia and lymphopenia). Continue reading “Surveillance Case Definitions for Human Infection with Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19)”

Features of Congenital Zika Syndrome

11 October, 2019 Guillermo Firman

The majority (50 to 80%) of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections are asymptomatic. Symptomatic ZIKV infection has an incubation period of 3 to 14 days and is a mild illness, with a duration of up to 1 week, that manifests as a rash, low-grade fever, arthralgia and myalgia, and conjunctivitis. Complications are infrequent, but when they occur, they are severe and may be fatal. Continue reading “Features of Congenital Zika Syndrome”

Revised Surveillance Case Definition for HIV Infection

28 December, 2018 Guillermo Firman

Since the first cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were reported in the United States in 1981, surveillance case definitions for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (the cause of AIDS) and AIDS have undergone several revisions to respond to diagnostic advances. Continue reading “Revised Surveillance Case Definition for HIV Infection”

WHO Immunological Classification for Established HIV Infection

27 December, 2018 Guillermo Firman

The revised clinical staging and immunological classification of HIV are designed to assist in clinical management of HIV, especially where there is limited laboratory capacity. Continue reading “WHO Immunological Classification for Established HIV Infection”

Severity Criteria for Clostridium difficile Infection

6 January, 2017 Guillermo Firman

Patients with severe disease may develop a colonic ileus or toxic dilatation and present with abdominal pain and distension but with minimal or no diarrhea. Complications of severe C. difficile colitis include dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, hypoalbuminemia, toxic megacolon, bowel perforation, hypotension, renal failure, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, and death.

Continue reading “Severity Criteria for Clostridium difficile Infection”