Acta Medica Port
-
Toscana virus (TOSV) is an emerging sandfly-borne virus within the Phlebovirus genus. Although most infections caused by this virus present as asymptomatic or with minimal symptomatology, TOSV may emerge as a febrile disease or sporadic cases of neurological disease such as meningitis or meningoencephalitis. This pathogen is distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin, along with the spatial distribution of its recognized sandfly vector, Phlebotomus perniciosus. Portugal, after Italy, was the second country considered endemic for this virus, with the first case of acquired infection published in 1985. Although little is known about the circulation of this virus in Portugal, the laboratory diagnosis of TOSV is available at the Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research of the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (CEVDI/INSA), since 2007. The aim of this study is to report the results of the diagnosis of TOSV at the CEVDI/INSA, between 2009 and 2018. ⋯ Even though the number of identified cases in Portugal is low, TOSV circulates and causes disease in our country. The diagnosis of this and other phleboviruses should not be neglected in the differential diagnosis of febrile syndrome and viral meningitis and meningoencephalitis, especially during the warmer months, when the vector's activity is higher.
-
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has laid out and deepened several weaknesses of health systems, some of which have already been identified by international organizations, such as the lack of human and material resources or civil society's insufficient involvement in decision-making processes. As the pandemic's socioeconomic consequences worsen and pandemic fatigue settles in, another frailty is unveiled to the public and media space: the lack of a critical mass of health communicators, which has direct consequences on how the pandemic is managed. ⋯ Given the lack of scientific evidence about health communication practiced in Portugal, a significant part of the analysis and diagnosis is based on the authors' empirical knowledge, obtained through professional experience in communications at several health institutions. At the end of the article, the authors propose guiding principles to think through, develop and implement health communication in Portugal, particularly during a health crisis, supported by a culture of leadership, collaboration, and confidence.
-
There are still many cases where traditional medical care does not provide a realistic solution for patients with devastating diseases so other interventions should be adopted. We present a case report of a 76 year-old woman admitted to a Palliative Care unit due to stage IV colon adenocarcinoma, and we describe the contribution of a six-year-old Yorkshire terrier in her symptom management. Animal-assisted therapy can be of great use in palliative care, contributing to the patients' pain management, relief from suffering and improvement of quality of life.
-
N/a.