The basics - Seasonal influenza
Although public confusion over flu and its symptoms is rife, presentations to GPs are down.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES TOOLKIT
In this section you will find all of our relevant articles from trusted sources to give you an overview of the diagnosis and management of common and less common infectious diseases.
We've also gathered together key news stories and opinions from our publications, as well as links to important external resources and organisations.
SEASONAL FLU
LATEST NEWS
Deadly flu strains must continue to be studied, researchers say
19 January 2012Research into deadly flu strains must continue in a bid to find vaccines and treatments, US experts have warned.
DoH advisors unconvinced over need for UK child flu vaccination
16 November 2011More evidence is needed to show that vaccinating all healthy children against seasonal flu is worthwhile, government advisors have said.
Tool launched to warn of severe flu epidemics
14 November 2011A tool to warn of severe flu epidemics before they swamp GP surgeries and hospitals has been launched by scientists in London.
Experts renew attacks on unvaccinated health workers
28 September 2011Doctors are 'misguided' not to get the flu vaccine, according to experts who accused GP practice staff of giving out false information about vaccination.
National flu vaccine campaign to target health workers in England
22 September 2011GPs, nurses and other health workers will be encouraged to get vaccinated against seasonal flu in a campaign launched today - despite no national campaign for the public.
Exclusive: RCGP divided over need for flu jab ad campaign
21 September 2011Senior members of the RCGP are split over the need to advertise the seasonal flu jab in England, after one claimed failure to do so will harm uptake rates and see GPs blamed for it.
CLINICAL
Viewpoint - Influenza A H1N1: past and future
Professor John Oxford reflects on how this Darwinian virus came to dominate the 2010/11 flu season.
Related headlines
An update on H1N1 influenza in pregnancy
Pregnant women are now considered a high-risk group for swine flu and should be counselled about early signs and symptoms. By Dr Alexandra Ridout and Mr Wai Yoong
Related headlines
SEASONAL FLU RESOURCES
Quick links to key documents and online resources
OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Clinical Review - Pulmonary tuberculosis
04 August 2011Contributed by Dr Ian Campbell, honorary consultant physician, University Hospital Llandough, Cardiff, and Dr Matt Brouns, registrar in respiratory medicine, Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny.
The Basics - Community-acquired pneumonia
09 September 2010Clinical features depend on patient factors and the infecting organism, explains Dr Harry Brown.
Clinical Review - The management of HIV
25 November 2010Contributed by Dr Charlotte Hopkins and Dr R Monica Lascar, consultants in HIV and genitourinary medicine at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London.
At a Glance - Genital herpes zoster vs herpes simplex
11 November 2010Dr Jean Watkins discusses the differences between genital herpes zoster and herpes simplex
The basics - Herpes infections
19 June 2009Patients should understand the nature of this recurrent viral disease.
The Basics - Shingles
07 July 2010The shingles rash may resemble contact dermatitis or impetigo, explains Dr Judy Duckworth.
Additional Information
International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene
IFH is a non-governmental, charitable organisation that is working to raise awareness of the importance of hygiene in the domestic setting and to develop and promote an approach to home hygiene based on sound scientific evidence. IFH has produced a range of materials including scientific reviews, guidelines, training materials and briefing documents on hygiene and hygiene issues, downloadable from the IFH website.
The Hygiene Centre at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is a research group devoted to developing a better understanding of hygiene and sanitation practices to help inform public health policy in developed and developing countries.
Advice sheets from IFH
- Swine flu: preventing spread in the home and community
- Colds, flu and other respiratory infections in the home
- Conjunctivitis: prevention by good hygiene at home
- Impetigo: prevention by good hygiene at home
- Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the home
- Escherichia coli O157: infection and infection prevention through hygiene in the home
- Norovirus: infection and infection prevention through hygiene in the home
- Campylobacter: infection and infection prevention through hygiene in the home
- Shigella: infection and infection prevention through hygiene in the home
- Clostridium difficile: infection and infection prevention through hygiene in the home
- Extended-spectrum ?-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBLs) and infection prevention through hygiene in the home
- Salmonella: infection and infection prevention through hygiene in the home
- Rotavirus: infection and infection prevention through hygiene in the home
