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
Exclusive: Measles outbreak in London 'inevitable' as practices urged to prepare
19 April 2013LMCs have warned GPs in London to prepare for the 'inevitable' arrival of the measles outbreak in the capital and warned it could kill hundreds.
School flu cases rise as officials urge antiviral use
20 December 2012GP consultations for flu are rising in the UK with school children in England worst affected, latest figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show.
NHS antivirals released for GPs to prescribe as flu cases soar
20 December 2012England's CMO has signalled that GPs can now prescribe antivirals on the NHS, after flu cases in children soared.
MPs attend GP-led flu jab clinic
01 November 2012Health minister Dr Dan Poulter and shadow chancellor Ed Balls were among 80 MPs and peers who attended the annual House of Commons flu vaccination clinic on Wednesday.
Flu jab disruption 'to hit patient uptake', RCGP warns
19 October 2012Disruptions to deliveries of seasonal flu vaccine in the UK could hit patient uptake this winter unless supplies resume soon, the RCGP has warned.
Flu jab shortages prompt emergency reserve enquiries
10 October 2012Local shortages of flu vaccines are affecting some GP practices in England following disruption to supplies from one manufacturer, and GPs have contacted the DH about its emergency reserve.
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
