Tag

Post Exposure Prophylaxis

All articles tagged with #post exposure prophylaxis

health12 days ago•5 min saved

Post-exposure COVID shield: new antiviral pill cuts household transmission

A NEJM trial shows the antiviral ensitrelvir (Xocova) significantly reduces COVID-19 risk after exposure in households, cutting symptomatic infections from about 9% to 3% and total infections from 21.5% to 14% when given as a five‑day course. Japan has approved ensitrelvir for post‑exposure use; US/EU decisions are pending. The drug is generally well tolerated and may help vulnerable groups, though real‑world impact may be limited as immunity rises and variants shift.

via Nature|

#antiviral #covid-19 #ensitrelvir

health19 days ago•2 min saved

Rabies-confirmed beaver attack in New Jersey prompts medical precautions

A beaver in Mahwah, NJ attacked an 8-year-old boy and tested positive for rabies. Exposed individuals are receiving post-exposure prophylaxis; the ill beaver was captured and later died. Officials urge avoiding wildlife and seeking medical advice if exposed.

via USA Today|

#beaver #health #new-jersey

public-health1 month ago•6 min saved

Four Unvaccinated Children Contract Tetanus Across Four States, Revealing Prevention Gaps

CDC and state health officials report four pediatric tetanus cases in 2024 among unvaccinated children in Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. In two cases, parents refused post-exposure tetanus immunoglobulin and vaccination; all children were hospitalized for lengthy stays (average about 25 days) and received TIG and an initial TTCV dose, with only one child later completing the vaccine series. No deaths occurred. The report highlights missed prevention opportunities—no prior TTCV, delays in wound care, and refusal of prophylaxis—underscoring the importance of timely wound care and up-to-date tetanus vaccination to prevent disease.

via CIDRAP|

#pediatrics #post-exposure-prophylaxis #public-health

health1 month ago•3 min saved

Two rabies cases in Orange County prompt wildlife exposure precautions

Orange County reports two rabies-positive animals—a raccoon in Chapel Hill and a cat in Hillsborough—leading to animal-control actions; a dog bitten by the raccoon is being treated, and the person exposed to the cat is receiving rabies prophylaxis. Health officials note risk assessment is used to decide post-exposure treatment, and pet-vaccination rules require boosters for exposed vaccinated pets (within 96 hours) or quarantine/euthanasia for unvaccinated pets. Rabies remains fatal; bats are common hosts, and contact animal control or 911 after hours if exposure occurs.

via WRAL|

#animal-control #health #orange-county-nc

health2 years ago•10 min saved

"Reviving an Old Antibiotic: The Promising STI Prevention Pill"

As rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to rise in the US, physicians are increasingly prescribing the antibiotic doxycycline as a preventative treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in gay and bisexual men and transgender women. Known as doxyPEP, this approach involves taking a single pill within 72 hours after unprotected sex. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to release draft guidance on the use of doxycycline as STI post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in the coming weeks. Local health departments, such as those in San Francisco and Seattle, have already issued their own guidelines. DoxyPEP has been found to be about 65% effective in reducing the incidence of bacterial STIs. However, there are concerns about antibiotic resistance and the lack of research on its effectiveness in cisgender women.

via CNN|

#antibiotic-resistance #cdc #doxycycline

health2 years ago•1 min saved

"Unlocking the Potential: Harnessing a Familiar Antibiotic to Combat STIs"

The antibiotic doxycycline, when taken within 72 hours of condomless sex, may protect against contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Promising research involving gay and bisexual men and transgender women has shown a significant drop in new STIs. The CDC plans to introduce guidelines for prescribing doxy-PEP later this summer. However, a study involving at-risk Kenyan women showed no benefit, highlighting the need for further research. Caution is also advised due to potential implications for antibiotic resistance. STIs continue to be a significant public health concern, particularly among men who have sex with men and transgender women.

via Newser|

#antibiotic #doxycycline #health

health2 years ago•4 min saved

The Power of Doxycycline: A Safe Bet Against STIs

Taking the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours of condomless sex can significantly reduce the risk of gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia among transwomen and gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. This form of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has been shown to be effective in reducing the chances of developing these sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Doxy-PEP is recommended for individuals who have had at least one of these STIs in the past 12 months or those who feel they are at risk due to multiple sexual partners. It is important to note that doxy-PEP does not protect against HIV or other viral infections, and it is crucial to seek appropriate medical care and testing for different STIs.

via Medical Xpress|

#antibiotic-resistance #doxycycline #health

health3 years ago•4 min saved

Rabies Claims Lives in US and India

An 84-year-old man from Minnesota died from rabies after waking up to a rabid bat biting his hand. He washed his hands with soap and water and received post-exposure prophylaxis treatment, but still died five months later. This is the first recorded US case of a rabies patient dying after receiving prophylaxis treatment in a 'timely and appropriate' manner. Rabies is a virtually always fatal infection unless patients are administered medications before symptoms emerge.

via Daily Mail|

#bat-bite #fatal-infection #health

health3 years ago•6 min saved

Two Fatal Cases of Rabies Reported in US and India.

An 84-year-old man from Minnesota became the first reported fatality due to rabies in the United States despite receiving appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis. The man woke up with a rabid bat biting his right hand and was administered appropriate care, which included rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. However, about five months after the exposure, the patient started to have severe pain on the right side of his face, with excessive right eye tearing. His symptoms progressed to facial numbness, trouble swallowing, and right arm numbness associated with nausea and vomiting. The man was hospitalized about a week after first developing symptoms when he complained of worsening facial pain and difficulty swallowing. He subsequently died 15 days after developing symptoms of rabies. The authors concluded that the patient had a fatal outcome because his immune system could not mount a protective antibody response after receiving vaccine prophylaxis to prevent rabies, presumably because of undiagnosed MGUS that suppressed his immune system.

via Fox News|

#fatal-case #health #immune-deficiency