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Risk of Herpes Zoster Increases After Zoster Vaccination in Patients Taking Immunosuppressive Medications

In adults >18 years, taking immunosuppressive medications at the time of zoster vaccination increased the risk for herpes zoster for up to 6 weeks afterward (adjusted odds ratio, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.58-5.70).

Legionella in the Bronx

On July 30, 2015, The New York Times reported that the New York City Department of Public Health was investigating an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in the South Bronx.

Borrelia Miyamotoi Disease in the Northeast

ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: It often goes undetected by physicians. Here are the reasons.

Do you know proper PPE removal procedures?

Observations of workers for the study took place October 13-31, 2014. With Ebola still very much in the news at that time, the findings are somewhat surprising, but likely would be similar at many other hospitals.

Consumer group: Why leave chlorhexidine out?

The FDA is being taken to task for a failure to include chlorhexidine in its recently announced plan to review the safety of active ingredients in antiseptics used in healthcare.

FDA concerned with alcohol exposures to pregnant, breast feeding healthcare workers

As hand hygiene is performed constantly throughout a hospital workday a small level of alcohol may begin to accumulate and flow through the bloodstream. No problem for most workers, but what about those expecting?

CMS calls for infection control improvements, antibiotic stewardship in nursing homes

A proposed rule by the CMS calls for a sweeping upgrade of infection control in nursing homes, solidifying the role with a new title and making it a higher priority through annual risk assessments and much-needed antibiotic stewardship requirements.

CDC bases infection projections on modeling

Some of the case count projections cited by CDC and others at the early stages of the Ebola outbreak turned out to be greatly overestimated, contributing to the perception by some that ratcheting up the fear level was designed to get the full support needed for the outbreak response. In this case, the CDC has collaborated with other researchers and used modeling methods already developed and time tested.

New CDC efforts to detect and prevent CRE and C. difficile

The CDC's new plan to create state networks of public health and healthcare facilities to prevent Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium difficile infections.

CDC calls on Congress to fund “protection” programs, save lives

An estimated 37,000 people are going to die in the next five years of antibiotic-resistant and Clostridium difficile infections unless Congress hands over $264 million dollars to the suddenly unsubtle CDC.