Primary care
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Declining cervical cancer rates in the United States highlights the value of prevention and early detection of premalignant cervical disease afforded by the human papillomavirus vaccine and Pap smear. The availability of in-office loop electrosurgical excision procedure affords clinicians with a cost-effective and preferred tool for the excision of high-grade lesions of the cervix with minimal risk for severe adverse outcomes. The most recent American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology guidelines recommend a risk-based approach for the detection, treatment, and surveillance of cervical disease and specifically focus on the risk of developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 or worse histology.
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Most children with congenital heart disease (CHD) survive to adulthood, owing largely to significant advances in the diagnosis and management of CHD over the past few decades. Primary care providers are essential partners in the recognition and management of these patients in our current medical environment. This article reviews the role of the primary care physician in detecting fetuses, infants, and children with possible CHD. Furthermore, this article discusses common primary care issues arising for patients with CHD, including growth and development, mental illness, dental care, and the transition to adult primary care.
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Allergy is a broad topic encompassing common clinical allergic diseases, asthma, and complex immunodeficiencies. In this article, the authors discuss the most common allergic diseases and anaphylaxis and briefly review the current knowledge and management of food allergies, allergic rhinitis, otitis media, sinusitis, chronic cough, atopic dermatitis, urticarial and angioedema, contact dermatitis, allergic ophthalmopathy, drug allergy, latex allergy, and insect sting. Because the prevalence of allergic disorders continues to increase, it is increasingly important for physicians to stay up to date on most recent evidence-based diagnosis and management of allergic disorders.