CDC's Four Division "Dear Colleague" letter highlighting the 2002 STD Treatment Guidelines recommendations for MSM
Pocket Card with concise information on screening for STDs and hepatitis A and B vaccinations
"Prevent STDs Among MSM" posters targeted toward patients and health professionals
HBV Fact Sheet for MSM
HAV Fact Sheet for MSM
Coding guidelines for seeking reimbursement for hepatitis vaccines
Links to related websites, articles, and recommendations

To visit this new resource, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/msm
----------------------------------------------------------------
Return to top

(2 of 8)
May 20, 2004
CDC DEVELOPS "TOP 11" FAQ PAGE ABOUT VIRAL HEPATITIS

CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis has developed an online educational piece titled "Top 11 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Viral Hepatitis." These short, to-the-point questions and answers are written for the public, and include IAC's all-time #1 inquiry:

Q: If my hepatitis B vaccination series is interrupted, do I have to start over?
A: No. If the vaccination series is interrupted, resume with the next dose in the series.

Access the viral hepatitis FAQ page at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/common_faqs.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------
Return to top

(3 of 8)
May 20, 2004
FREE CME COURSES FOR PHYSICIANS ON VIRAL HEPATITIS AVAILABLE ONLINE

Free continuing medical education courses for physicians who want to learn more about viral hepatitis are available through Medscape. Relevant courses include:

"Increasing Efficacy in Chronic Hepatitis B: Evidence-Based Strategies"
http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/2964

"Management of Hepatitis C: Focus on Minority Populations"
http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/2515

"Prevention of Hepatitis A in a Global Community"
http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/2994

Medscape offers free, continuously updated continuing education activities for physicians and other health professionals. These activities have been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), and have been developed by ACCME-accredited organizations. To enroll, go to: http://www.medscape.com
----------------------------------------------------------------
Return to top

(4 of 8)
May 20, 2004
HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION INTRODUCES FIRST EXPERT SPEAKER ONLINE

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) has added an Expert Speakers Forum to their website. The ongoing feature will offer a series of presentations from hepatitis B research and clinical experts. The first speaker is Sam So, MD, FACS, Director of the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University and the Jade Ribbon Campaign. Dr. So focuses on eliminating myths about hepatitis B and explaining the protocols for treatment and management.

Dr. So's presentation, "Eliminating the Voodoo from Hepatitis B," can be accessed in a choice of three formats, video, audio, or text, at http://www.hepb.org/expforum
----------------------------------------------------------------
Return to top

(5 of 8)
May 20, 2004
CDC'S NEW PRIMER ON DIAGNOSING AND MANAGING FOODBORNE ILLNESSES INCLUDES INFORMATION ON HEPATITIS A VIRUS

CDC published "Diagnosis and Management of Foodborne Illnesses: A Primer for Physicians and Other Health Care Professionals" in the April 16 issue of "MMWR Recommendations and Reports." The primer has a section on acute hepatitis A, which includes a patient scenario and several sets of questions that lead the reader through diagnosis, treatment, transmission, prevention, and notification.

The preface to the primer is reprinted below.

***********************

Preface
Foodborne illness is a serious public health problem. CDC estimates that each year 76 million people get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 die as a result of foodborne illnesses. Primarily the very young, the elderly, and the immunocompromised are affected. Recent changes in human demographics and food preferences, changes in food production and distribution systems, microbial adaptation, and lack of support for public health resources and infrastructure have led to the emergence of novel as well as traditional foodborne diseases. With increasing travel and trade opportunities, it is not surprising that now there is a greater risk of contracting and spreading a foodborne illness locally, regionally, and even globally.

Physicians and other health care professionals have a critical role in the prevention and control of food-related disease outbreaks. This primer is intended to provide practical and concise information on the diagnosis, treatment, and reporting of foodborne illnesses. It was developed collaboratively by the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association-American Nurse Foundation, CDC, the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Nutrition, and the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Clinicians are encouraged to review the primer and participate in the attached continuing medical education (CME) program. . .

***********************

To access a web-text (HTML) version of the primer, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5304a1.htm

To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5304.pdf

The PDF version includes a free CDC-sponsored education activity that can be completed online or submitted by U.S. mail for CME, CEU, CNE, or CHES credit. Simply read the primer, answer the questions at the end, and follow instructions for submitting your answers.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Return to top

(6 of 8)
May 20, 2004
JOURNAL ARTICLES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

The following is a selection of recently published journal articles related to viral hepatitis.

"Hepatitis A Transmitted by Food"
Author: Fiore AE
Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases, March 1, 2004, Vol. 38:705-715
Click here for abstract

"Hepatitis B Virus Infection-Natural History and Clinical Consequences"
Authors: Ganem D, Prince AM
Source: New England Journal of Medicine, March 11, 2004, Vol 350(11):1118-1129
Review. No abstract available

"Cost Effectiveness of Hepatitis A/B versus Hepatitis B Vaccination for US Prison Inmates"
Authors: Jacobs RJ, Rosenthal P, Meyerhoff AS
Source: Vaccine, March 12, 2004, Vol. 22(9-10):1241-8
Click here for abstract

"Effect of Maternal Antibody on Immunogenicity of Hepatitis A Vaccine in Infants"
Authors: Letson GW, Shapiro CN, Kuehn D, et al
Source: J Pediatr, March 2004, Vol. 144(3):327-332
Click here for abstract

"Hepatitis A and B Vaccination Practices for Ambulatory Patients
Infected with HIV"
Authors: Tedaldi EM, Baker RK, Moorman AC, et al.
Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases, May 15, 2004, Vol. 38:1478-1484
Click here for abstract
-------------------------------------------------------------
Return to top

(7 of 8)
May 20, 2004
NEW: IAC POSTS 16 ADULT IMMUNIZATION RESOURCES ON ITS WEBSITE

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 4/12/04.]

Whether you're an old hand at adult vaccination delivery or a beginner, you'll find use for 16 informative, practical resources IAC recently posted on its website. The resources cover four broad areas of adult vaccination delivery: (1) vaccine storage, (2) vaccination clinic set-up, (3) vaccine administration, and (4) standing orders and provider tools. All 16 are available in ready-to-copy (PDF) format.

1. VACCINE STORAGE. "Maintaining the Cold Chain During Transport" gives practical information about transporting eight adult vaccines to an off-site vaccination clinic. "Emergency Response Worksheet" outlines steps to take if a power failure or other event causes the temperature in a vaccine storage refrigerator or freezer to become too hot or cold.

To access "Maintaining the Cold Chain During Transport," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3049.pdf

To access "Emergency Response Worksheet," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3051.pdf

2. VACCINATION CLINIC SET-UP. The "Suggested Supplies Checklist for Adult Immunization Clinic" lists everything health professionals need to successfully set up a vaccination clinic.

To access "Suggested Supplies Checklist for Adult Immunization Clinic," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3047.pdf

3. VACCINE ADMINISTRATION. "How to Administer IM and SC Injections to Adults" tells which adult vaccines are administered intramuscularly (IM) and which subcutaneously (SC) and gives detailed information on both administration methods. The foolproof chart "Administering Vaccines to Adults: Dose, Route, Site, Needle Size, and Preparation" outlines the practical details of adult vaccine administration.

To access "How to Administer IM and SC Injections to Adults," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2020A.pdf

To access "Administering Vaccines to Adults: Dose, Route, Site, Needle Size, and Preparation," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3084.pdf

4. STANDING ORDERS AND PROVIDER TOOLS. If your state permits nurses and pharmacists to administer vaccinations without a physician's examination or direct order, you can use the prototype standing orders protocols for administering the eight vaccines most commonly given to adults: (1) trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) and live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), (2) pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPV), (3) hepatitis B, (4) hepatitis A, (5) tetanus-diphtheria (Td), (6) measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), (7) varicella, and (8) meningococcal.

In addition, two resources related to standing orders are available: "Guide to Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines in Adults" lists contraindications and precautions to the eight common adult vaccines; "Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Adult Patients" describes the symptoms and management of localized, psychological, and anaphylactic reactions to adult vaccines.

Lastly, "Do You Vaccinate Adults? Think 'H-A-L-O!'" is an easy-to-use chart for determining which adult patients might benefit from vaccination, based on patients' health status(H), age(A), lifestyle(L), and occupation(O).

To access "Standing Orders for Administering Influenza Vaccine to Adults," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3074.pdf

To access "Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal Vaccine to Adults," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3075.pdf

To access "Standing Orders for Administering Hepatitis B Vaccine to Adults," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3076.pdf

To access "Standing Orders for Administering Hepatitis A Vaccine to Adults," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3077.pdf

To access "Standing Orders for Administering Tetanus-Diphtheria Toxoid (Td) to Adults," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3078.pdf

To access "Standing Orders for Administering Measles, Mumps, & Rubella Vaccine to Adults," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3079.pdf

To access "Standing Orders for Administering Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine to Adults," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3080.pdf

To access "Standing Orders for Administering Meningococcal Vaccine to Adults," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3081.pdf

To access "Guide to Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines in Adults," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3072.pdf

To access "Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Adult Patients," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3082.pdf

To access "Do You Vaccinate Adults? Think 'H-A-L-O!'" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3070.pdf
-------------------------------------------------------------
Return to top

(8 of 8)
May 20, 2004
NEW TRANSLATION: HEPATITIS B BROCHURE NOW AVAILABLE IN TONGAN

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 4/26/04.]

IAC's patient education brochure "If you, your parents, or your children were born in any of these places . . ." is now available in Tongan. IAC gratefully acknowledges the Utah Department of Health, Immunization Department, for the translation.

The brochure is intended to alert patients that hepatitis B virus infection is common in certain geographic areas. It encourages people who were born in these areas (or whose parents or children were) to find out their and/or their parents and children's hepatitis B status.

Health professionals are encouraged to make the brochure available to patients from the following areas: Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Amazon Basin, Pacific Islands, and rural Alaska.

To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the brochure in Tongan, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4170to.pdf

In addition to Tongan, the brochure is available in English, Amharic (spoken in Ethiopia), Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Farsi, Hmong, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Somali, Tigrinya (spoken in Eritrea), and Vietnamese. To access the brochure in these languages, go to: http://www.immunize.org/free Scroll down to the section on patient materials, go to item #P4170, and click on the language(s) you want.