The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
-
Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. · May 2020
Case ReportsCase Report: Walking Pneumonia in Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Mild Symptoms with Marked Abnormalities on Chest Imaging.
This case report underlines the appearance of a "walking pneumonia" in a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patient, with evidence of progressive lung involvement on chest imaging studies. The patient traveled from Wuhan, Hubei, China, to Thailand in January 2020. One of her family members was diagnosed with COVID-19. ⋯ A subsequent sputum test was positive for SARS-CoV-2. Diagnosis in this patient was facilitated by chest imaging and repeat viral testing. Thus, chest imaging studies might enhance capabilities for early diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia.
-
Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Dec 2019
Randomized Controlled TrialEffectiveness of a Behavior Change Intervention with Hand Sanitizer Use and Respiratory Hygiene in Reducing Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza among Schoolchildren in Bangladesh: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.
Schoolchildren are commonly linked to influenza transmission. Handwashing with soap has been shown to decrease infections; however, improving handwashing practices using soap and water is difficult in low-resource settings. In these settings, alternative hygiene options, such as hand sanitizer, could improve handwashing promotion to reduce influenza virus infections. ⋯ During the 10-week follow-up period, the incidence of ILI per 1,000 student-weeks was 22 in the intervention group versus 27 in the control group (P-value = 0.4). The incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza was 53% lower in the intervention schools (3/1,000 person-weeks) than in the control schools (6/1,000 person-weeks) (P-value = 0.01). Hand sanitizer and respiratory hygiene education can help to reduce the risk of influenza virus transmission in schools.
-
Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. · Oct 2019
Characteristics and Impact of Disseminated Gonococcal Infection in the "Top End" of Australia.
The "Top End" of Australia is presently experiencing a gonorrhea epidemic. Gonococcal infection is usually limited to mucosal tissues but can lead to disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI), joint destruction, and severe sepsis. This study aimed to explore the epidemiology, presentation, management, and health-care impact of DGI in the Top End of the Northern Territory. ⋯ DGI is an important cause of morbidity in the Top End, particularly in the young, remote Indigenous Australian population. Clinical presentation varies from classical teaching. Urgent action in the health and community sector is required, particularly for at-risk populations, to prevent further debilitating and costly complications of gonococcal infection.