Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Staph Bacteria Implicated as the Cause of Itchy Skin

Researchers have uncovered evidence that bacteria can activate nerve cells in the skin and cause the itchy sensation that comes along with several common skin conditions, according to a recent study in Cell. The authors note: “Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterial pathogen associated with itchy skin diseases, directly activates pruriceptor sensory neurons to drive itch.” Their findings could help optimize treatment for inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. A summary of the study in Axios also cites …

Respiratory Triple Threat on Upward Trend

As the flu season gains momentum in the United States, a triple threat of viruses—influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)—is causing concern. Children under age 5 in particular are heavily impacted, and they made up more than 10% of visits for flu-like illnesses the week before Thanksgiving, according to federal data. Pediatric hospital beds were strained across the nation with about 75% in use. Mandy Cohen, MD, director of the Centers for Disease Control …

Stewardship Program Reduces Antibiotic Prescriptions in UC

An antibiotic stewardship intervention at Mayo Clinic lowered unnecessary antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory infections in outpatient settings, including urgent care centers, according to a new study in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, which posted during Antibiotic Awareness Week. Provider education, data reporting, and a red-flag notification system helped to influence prescribing patterns. The program was implemented at Mayo Clinic facilities in four states in 2020 with a goal to reduce antibiotic use for tier 3 upper respiratory infection …

Anti-seizure Meds Can Lead to Rare Organ Injury

A new FDA warning is being added to prescribing information for the anti-seizure drugs levetiracetam and clobazam because the agency found they can cause a rare but serious hypersensitivity: drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Diagnosis of DRESS can be difficult because symptoms vary and may be confused with other reactions. DRESS may start as a rash and can include fever and swollen lymph nodes or injury to the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, …

More Kids Show Up in EDs With Behavioral Health Emergencies

A recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that school-age kids from 10 to 17 experience more emergency department (ED) visits during the school year than during summer break for behavioral health conditions such as depressive disorders, suicidal ideation, or self-harm. For some disorders, the visits double during the school year. In communities, the lack of mental health resources for kids in immediate need is clear. One emergency …

More Kids Could Benefit From Influenza Antivirals

In a global study of more than 1.4 million outpatient and emergency department prescription claims for children between 2010 and 2019, as presented in Pediatrics, researchers found there is wide variability in prescribing as well as underuse of influenza antivirals for children. Kids were most commonly seen in outpatient office visits and urgent care settings. Oseltamivir was the most frequently prescribed antiviral (99.8%), which makes sense because it’s the only oral influenza antiviral approved by the FDA …

New Weight Loss Drug Also Reduces Cardiovascular Events

In a noteworthy session last week at the American Heart Association conference, researchers presented evidence that the obesity drug semaglutide (Wegovy), a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, demonstrated benefits beyond weight loss by reducing the overall rate of major cardiovascular concerns by 20%. In the results of double-blind trial, which appear in the New England Journal of Medicine, they found a reduced incidence of heart attacks, cardiovascular-related deaths, and strokes. Semaglutide notably reduced heart attacks by …

Ketamine Use Concerns Clinicians

As clinicians aim to reduce their reliance on opioid painkillers, prescriptions for ketamine have seen a surge. What’s most worrisome is that many of the prescriptions originate from telehealth services, according to an Associated Press news article. This raises alarm among experts about the risks of writing prescriptions for non-approved uses, overprescribing, and the associated abuse potential—not unlike the factors that contributed to the ongoing opioid crisis. Research led by a Duke University pain specialist …

Rising Congenital Syphilis Trend Could Be Prevented

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported a surge in congenital syphilis cases in the United States over the past decade, with a 755% increase from 2012-2021. In 2022, there were 3,761 reported cases, leading to an increase in stillbirths, infant mortality, and severe birth defects. Most of these cases could have been prevented if mothers had received adequate testing and treatment, says the CDC. The issue disproportionately affects certain populations with …

Phenylephrine Removed From Shelves

In a unanimous decision, an FDA advisory committee recently determined that phenylephrine, a key ingredient in popular over-the-counter nasal decongestants, is no more effective than a placebo in treating cold and allergy symptoms. The committee reviewed mounting evidence indicating that oral phenylephrine is an ineffective remedy for nasal congestion, even though many consumers use products that contain it, such as Sudafed PE and NyQuil. In response, CVS retail pharmacies discontinued the sale of products containing …