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CPD articles in this section reflect chapter five of the British National Formulary and relate to infections
Dealing with urinary tract infections
December 2011
This article looks at symptoms of urinary tract infections, when to refer, the organisms involved, risk factors, sample collection, diagnosis and testing, complications, treatment and prophylaxis.
Doripenem
February 2010While media attention focuses on battling MRSA and C diff, some strains of Gram-negative bacteria have developed resistance to many antibiotics. A new carbapenem is a useful addition to the arsenal
Delayed antibiotics does not reduce long-term reconsultation (POEM)
January 2010Clinical question Does delayed antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections reduce the rate of consultation for subsequent respiratory infections?
Hepatitis B
January 2010Some 350 million people across the world are infected chronically with hepatitis B. Despite global control of the disease being achievable through widespread vaccination, this has not yet been attained. Peginterferon alfa and antiviral drugs are the mainstay of chronic hepatitis B therapy
Herbal therapeutics (7) Colds
October 2009
This article considers evidence for the efficacy and safety of echinacea in the prevention and treatment of symptoms of the common cold
Skin and soft tissue infection
January 2009There is a wide range of skin and soft tissue infections with a variety of risk factors and causes. Healthcare-associated MRSA tends to affect older, compromised patients both in hospitals and in the community, whereas community-associated MRSA, although rarer, can attack the young and healthy
Co-trimoxazole: take risk of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions into account
February 2009Co-trimoxazole (sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim) can sometimes cause severe adverse effects (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and blood dyscrasias, notably bone marrow depression and agranulocytosis), such that the Commission on Human Medicines has issued guidance recommending that it is only used in the treatment of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (previously known as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia), toxoplasmosis and nocardiasis
Vaccination services: a new era?
January 2009In 2008, pharmacists were recognised by the health departments for England, Scotland and Wales as valuable contributors to public health and disease prevention. In England, this included proposals for a bigger role in vaccination. Gareth Malson, assistant editor of Clinical Pharmacist, reports on services that are already up and running and the potential for expansion
Hepatitis C infection (Life-long learning articles)
December 2008Clinical features and diagnosis; Current and future treatments
Human papilloma virus infection
September 2008A variety of conditions have been attributed to humanpapilloma viruses. Sarah Marshall looks at the treatment of cutaneous and anogenital warts, and at the UK vaccination programme against cervical cancer, which is launched September 2008
Fluoroquinolones equal beta-lactam antibiotics for acute bacterial sinusitis
August 2008POEM (Patient Oriented Evidence that Matters): Are fluoroquinolones more effective than beta-lactam antibiotics for acute bacterial sinusitis?
An overview of hepatitis
April 2008The UK is the only major developed country showing an increase in the number of deaths from all forms of liver disease, including hepatitis. Two articles examine non-viral hepatitis/drug use in liver dysfunction and viral hepatitis and its treatment
Treatment of bladder fungal balls in a premature infant with a combination of three antifungal agents
March 2008Bladder fungal balls are an unusual but recognised complication of invasive candidiasis. They can be difficult to eradicate using standard antifungal drugs and can cause urinary tract obstruction, leading to acute renal failure
Giving advice on sore throats
February 2008With only one in 18 adults with a sore throat consulting his or her GP, for most people the pharmacy is likely to be the first port of call. Sarah Marshall looks at some causes of sore throats and factors pharmacists should consider when consulted
Chest infections in the community
October 2007Sarah Marshall gives an overview of acute bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia and how the two conditions are treated
Chickenpox and shingles infection
October 2006Susan Allen looks at varicella zoster infection, its management and precautions for susceptible individuals
Influenza: treatment and prevention
September 2006Yvonne Perrie outlines what pharmacists should know about flu and the advice they can give
Parasitic worm infestations
September 2006Christine Clark describes worm infestations that pharmacists in the UK might encounter and their treatments
Highly active antiretroviral therapy
This year was 10th anniversary of the breakthrough in HIV and AIDS treatment known as highly active antiretroviral therapy. The first of two articles provides an update on antiretroviral therapy for patients with HI; the second considers protease inhibitors and entry inhibitors, as well as further issues related to drug therapy
Treatment of fungal nail infections
May 2006Amorolfine nail lacquer will soon be available over the counter for the treatment of fungal nail infection. In this article, Alan Nathan provides the background to the causes of fungal nail infections and types of infection, and looks at the treatment options
Biocides: healthcare applications
November 2005The incidence of hospital-acquired infections is used by the public as an indication of health care quality and the media is paying increasing attention to hygiene matters. The usefulness of disinfectants and antiseptics, however, is rarely mentioned.
Conjunctivitis and chloramphenicol
June 2005There are four main types of conjunctivitis: bacterial, adenoviral, allergic and chlamydial. It is also possible for a foreign body on the conjunctiva to cause conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis may be accompanied by soreness or discomfort, but the presence of pain is a sign that something else is wrong.
Antimicrobials
March 2005Three articles on the best use of antimicrobials
- The right drug for the right bug
- How pharmacists can promote the sensible use of antimicrobials
- Understanding antibiotic resistance
Tuberculosis
August/September 2004A four-part series sdtarting with a general introduction to the disease and culminating in a review of treatments for the condiiton when it become drug-resistant
- Tuberculosis — a general introduction
- How tuberculosis can be diagnosed
- Tuberculosis chemotherapy in the UK
- Treating drug-resistant tuberculosis
Infectious diseases
July 2004While antimicrobial drug resistance increases, there is a lack of new treatments coming to the market. These articles consider why there is a need for new antibiotics and, as greater numbers of people travel to more exotic locations on holiday or for work, the incidence and range of tropical diseases seen in the UK
Antimicrobial management
October 2003Understanding how micro-organisms acquire resistance and how resistance can be monitored are important concepts in managing the use of antimicrobial agents. So, too, is good prescribing
Sepsis
April 2002The physiological changes that characterise sepsis and the mechanisms underlying them are discussedalong with current drug therapies (concentrating on recombinant human activated protein C and steroids)
Malaria
July 2001Two articles to help pharmacists give advice on travel medicine and preventing malaria in particular
New uses for old drugs – Thalidomide: regains respectability as new benefits are discovered
July 2001Thalidomide is probably the most infamous drug ever to have been brought to market. Its devastating teratogenic effects led to its withdrawal. However, it has been found to be effective and safe for a number of conditions, if carefully used
HIV and AIDS
April 2001
HIV disease is now considered to be pandemic. Two articles discuss the origins, transmission and diagnosis of HIV, as well as its progression to AIDS, and their treatment
