Top in ID: Updated recommendations on COVID-19 isolation, UTI management
In March, the CDC announced that patients with COVID-19 who are showing certain signs of improvement no longer had to isolate for 5 days.
This was the first time the guidance, which also applies to other respiratory diseases like respiratory syncytial virus and influenza, had been updated in more than 2 years.
“The bottom line is that when people follow these actionable recommendations to avoid getting sick, and to protect themselves and others if they do get sick, it will help limit the spread of respiratory viruses, and that will mean fewer people who experience severe illness,” Demetre Daskalakis, MD, MPH, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a statement.
It was the top story in infectious disease this year.
In another top story, the WikiGuidelines collaborative published recommendations for UTI prevention, diagnosis and management. It marked the third clinical practice guidance from the group of researchers, and the first UTI guideline in more than 14 years.
“The collaborative was able to make specific recommendations that encouraged de-escalation and using mostly or all oral treatment, which can reduce hospital stays and lower the risk for adverse events linked to IV antibiotic treatment,” Zack Nelson, PharmD, MPH, told Healio.
Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:
CDC: People with COVID-19 no longer have to isolate for 5 days
The CDC said that people with COVID-19 no longer have to isolate for 5 days if they are showing certain signs of improvement — the first time in more than 2 years that the guidance has been updated. Read more.
WikiGuidelines group publishes first new UTI guidance in 14 years
The WikiGuidelines collaborative has published its third clinical practice guidance — this one on the prevention, diagnosis and management of UTIs. Read more.
First Alaskapox death reported, officials say residents ‘shouldn’t be overly concerned’
Health officials in Alaska have reported the first-ever death from Alaskapox, and although the disease may be wider spread than previously believed, experts say there is no evidence of risk outside of Alaska. Read more.
CDC recommends new COVID-19, pneumococcal vaccines
The CDC recommended updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-2025 respiratory season, and a newly approved 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for adults. Read more.
Q&A: CDC issues warning amid surge in dengue virus
In March, Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency after recording 549 cases of dengue virus since the start of 2024. The number rose to more than 1,900 cases as of July 24, according to the CDC. Read more.