Articles: pandemics.
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As the third decade since AIDS was first recognized comes to an end, extraordinary advances have occurred in the understanding, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection and AIDS. As a result of these successes, it is now time to focus on future challenges. Paramount among these is reaching the goal of truly controlling and ultimately ending the HIV and AIDS pandemic. ⋯ Second, scientists are trying to develop a cure for HIV infection, which would alleviate the need for lifelong ART. Finally, preventing new cases of HIV infection, which currently number approximately 2.6 million per year globally, is critical to any attempt to end this pandemic. This article addresses each of these challenges and provides directions for the future.
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The current seventh pandemic of cholera, caused by serogroup O1, El Tor biotype, has now involved almost the entire developing world. The ongoing dynamic epidemiology of cholera, involving evolution of new strains, prolonged and more frequent epidemics, increased antimicrobial resistance, and awareness of the role of climate change upon the global burden has returned cholera to the forefront of global public health discussions. Improved water and sanitation should continue to be the mainstays of cholera-prevention efforts, but major improvements are a far-off goal for much of the cholera-affected developing world. The advent of safe and effective, new-generation oral vaccines against cholera has created renewed interest in the use of vaccines as a tool to control cholera.
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Pediatric emergency care · Jun 2011
ReviewHospital-based pandemic influenza preparedness and response: strategies to increase surge capacity.
In the spring of 2009, the first patients infected with 2009 H1N1 virus were arriving for care in hospitals in the United States. Anticipating a second wave of infection, our hospital leaders initiated multidisciplinary planning activities to prepare to increase capacity by expansion of emergency department (ED) and inpatient functional space and redeployment of medical personnel. ⋯ Our health center successfully met the challenges posed by the 2009 H1N1 outbreak. The intent in sharing the details of our planning and experience is to allow others to determine which elements of this planning might be adapted for managing a surge of patients in their setting.
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The author reflects on her personal experiences during the 2009 H1N1 influenza, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemics. The roles played by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to pregnancy-associated influenza during the 2009 pandemic are described. Risk communication principles are summarized and resources provided.
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Pediatric emergency care · Jun 2011
Comparative StudyPediatric alternate site of care during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
This study aimed to describe the design and implementation of an alternate site of care (ASC) for nonurgent pediatric patients with influenza-like illnesses during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and to evaluate its performance. ⋯ Selected nonurgent patients with influenza-like illness during a pandemic can be treated in a safe and timely manner with high levels of family satisfaction in a novel setting.