The present DHR-ICMR guidelines comprehensively address the various concerns regarding the clinical assessment, treatment, and laboratory diagnosis of rickettsial diseases in India and the world. It is hoped that physicians, health care workers, the scientific community, the regulatory agencies, pub...lic health care professionals and the public at large will be benefited by these guidelines.
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The article investigates the diagnostic capabilities and prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care settings in northern Brazil. It highlights that COPD is often underdiagnosed and undertreated in resource-limited regions. The study involved 34 general practitioners a...nd used spirometry to evaluate their diagnostic accuracy compared to clinical assessments. Findings revealed significant discrepancies between GP diagnoses and spirometry results, with many false positives and negatives. The study underscores the need for better training and the use of spirometry to improve COPD diagnosis and case-finding in primary care, emphasizing the importance of targeted strategies to enhance healthcare outcomes in developing countries.
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Report for WHO Meningitis guideline revision
Dr Thomas Waite, April 2014
Field Epidemiology Services, Public Health England; UK
This manual is to assist health care providers and laboratory scientists to diagnose mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer). The manual aims to achieve a better understanding of the clinical presentation and its diagnosis. The methods described are tailored to various levels of care and avail...able resources to improve the diagnosis and surveillance of the disease.
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Rabies is a fatal viral disease, but is preventable in humans. The rabies virus is transmitted to humans through virus-laden saliva from a rabid animal, mostly dogs. The virus is shed in the saliva of an infected animal and can be introduced into another body through bites, scratches and any other ...wounds that transect the skin. Contact of the infected saliva with mucous membranes is also thought to be a possible route of infection, whereas contact of infected saliva with intact skin is not considered an exposure. Rabies is preventable through pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at high and continual risk, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
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The NICE guideline "Hypertension in Adults: Diagnosis and Management" outlines recommendations for diagnosing and managing hypertension in adults over 18, including those with type 2 diabetes. It emphasizes accurate blood pressure measurement, recommending ambulatory or home monitoring to confirm di...agnosis. Cardiovascular risk and target organ damage should be assessed, considering age, lifestyle, and other conditions. Initial treatment focuses on lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and smoking cessation, with medication advised for stage 1 hypertension at high cardiovascular risk or stage 2 hypertension. Regular monitoring and treatment adjustments are recommended to maintain target blood pressure levels, with specific guidance for people over 80 and those with additional conditions like diabetes or kidney disease. The guideline aims to reduce risks of heart attack, stroke, and other complications, supporting evidence-based treatment decisions in clinical practice.
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The Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Leprosy provide state-of-the-art knowledge and evidence on leprosy diagnosis, treatment and prevention based on a public health approach in endemic countries. The target audience of this document includes policy-makers in leprosy or infec...tious diseases in the ministries of health (especially but not limited to endemic countries), nongovernmental organizations, clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, donors and affected persons
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Lancet Respir Med 2017; 5: 291–360Vol, 5 April 2017
The main objective of the malaria prevention and control programme in Somalia is to prevent mortality and reduce morbidity due to malaria. The groups most vulnerable to the disease, children aged under 5 years and pregnant women, are especially targeted. Effective case management - early diagnosis a...nd treatment - is a critical component of malaria prevention and control. To achieve the main objective of reducing malaria morbidity and prevention of malaria mortality, the availability of safe, effective, affordable and accessible anti-malarial drugs is a prerequisite.
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Interim Recommendation published 19 September 2014. These recommendations reflect current understanding of Ebola virus disease (EVD) and are intended for national laboratory staff performing diagnostic testing to detect Ebola virus.
Available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Arabic
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/337832
The GOLD 2023 report provides a comprehensive update on the global strategy for diagnosing, managing, and preventing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It emphasizes that COPD is a leading cause of death worldwide, driven by risk factors such as tobacco smoking, air pollution, and genetic... predispositions. The report outlines key updates, including new diagnostic criteria, the introduction of terms like "Pre-COPD" and "PRISm" for early identification, and expanded sections on comorbidities, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, and rehabilitation. It stresses the importance of personalized treatment plans, early diagnosis, and addressing risk factors to mitigate the disease's impact. The report is aimed at guiding healthcare providers to improve COPD outcomes and adapt treatment approaches based on the latest evidence.
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