News & Updates

Chikungunya and dengue: Which is which?

A virus with the strange-sounding name chikungunya made newspapers and the television last year. Like dengue, this seemingly new disease entity is caused by an arthropod-borne virus as well as shares similar clinical features with its more popularly recognized cousin.

Clues to help manage pediatric skin infections

Diagnosing fungal and viral skin infections may pose a challenge to many clinicians. But according to Dr. Roberta Romero, a fellow of the Philippine Dermatological Society and officer-in-charge of the Tropical Diseases Foundation at the Makati Medical Center, there are distinct clues in the history and physical examination of a patient that can help the clinician diagnose and treat pediatric skin conditions caused by dermatophytes, yeasts and viruses.

Norovirus a growing threat that remains under-recognized

The major route of transmission, clinical impact and challenges of human noroviruses are largely under-recognized by healthcare professionals, an expert suggests.

Philippine childhood EPI updates

There are pertinent changes in the 2014 Philippine Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), according to Dr. Cynthia Aguirre, pediatric consultant with The Medical City.

Maximizing tuberculosis prevention in the workplace

“When you protect the employees, you protect economic productivity,” said Dr. Marilou Renales, a member of the National Board of Directors of the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine. According to Dr. Renales, “it shall be mandatory for all private establishments, workplaces and worksites to formulate and implement a TB prevention and control policy program” as stated in the Department Order (DO) 73-05 – Guidelines for the Implementation of Policy and Program on Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention and Control in the Workplace by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

New survey shows decreasing MDRTB prevalence in the Philippines

The results from the Second Nationwide Drug Resistance Survey of Tuberculosis (TB) are out, said Dr. Noel G. Macalalad, head of the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory and Tuberculosis Study Group of the Department of Health (DOH), during a talk at the recent PhilCAT convention. [DOH (2013). Second nationwide drug resistance survey of TB in the Philippines. Unpublished raw data]

Revisions in the International Standards for Tuberculosis Care 2014

The International Standards for Tuberculosis Care (ISTC), 3rd edition, (The Hague, 2014) is a set of recommendations made by a global coalition of organizations, including the WHO, and financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).  It aims to facilitate the commitment of all care providers in delivering high-quality care for patients of all ages. “It is intended to complement, not replace national and local recommendations”, both Dr. Jubert Benedicto, past National Chair of Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PHILCAT), and Dr. Rontgene Solante, Board Secretary of PHILCAT, emphasized during their talks at the recent PhilCAT convention.

Original New Drug Application Approvals by US FDA (1-15 March 2024)

RSV infection tied to high admissions, deaths in younger children

In children aged <5 years, respiratory syncytial virus infection contributes to high hospital admission and in-hospital mortality rates, reports a Mexico study.