Infectious Diseases

Host: Cathleen Margolin, PhD

Guest: Matthew Golden, MD, MPH

Guest: James G. Hodge, Jr., JD, LL.M.

For many years the treatment of those infected with sexually transmitted diseases has included recommendations for including the notification and treatment of partners. Lately medical researchers and legal minds are studying how patient’s partners are accessed and treated by the medical system. They are proposing more effective methods for disease prevention and control. Join Dr. Cathleen Margolin as she talks with attorney James Hodge of the Center for Law and the Public’s Health / Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Dr. Matthew Golden, associate professor of medicine at University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Golden is also director of the STD Control Program for Public Health in Seattle and King Counties in Washington.

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Guest: Sonya Shin, MD, MPH

More than half a million people around the world are stricken with multi- or extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis every year, but only a fraction of these patients receive effective treatment for their disease. In a few TB hotspots in South America and Asia, we are seeing years of research investment come to fruition, as promising data heralds key advances in our work against TB around the globe. What are the most important aspects of a successful treatment regimen, particularly in regions of the world with fewer medical resources? Dr. Sonya Shin, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, assesses the distinctive features of inpatient and outpatient care for TB, as well as the role played by local non-government organizations and government officials in these settings in South America and Asia. Dr. Mark Nolan Hill hosts.

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Guest: Sonya Shin, MD, MPH

Since it was first described by international health organizations in 2006, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis has been documented in 49 countries. In addition, more than 80 countries are coping with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. How are we addressing the rapid emergence of these significant threats to tuberculosis treatment and control programs across the world? In which countries are we seeing significant progress in treating both forms of tuberculosis? Dr. Sonya Shin, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, contours lessons for the global struggle against TB from her work in South America and Asia with host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill.

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

Guest: John Jernigan, MD

Life-threatening Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections occur most frequently in healthcare settings among patients with weakened immune systems. What do clinicians need to know about preventing MRSA in hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers and other healthcare facilities? Dr. John Jernigan, chief of the interventions and evaluation section in the division of healthcare quality promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), delves into the debate over universal screening for MRSA, as well as contact precautions and decolonization regimens, with host Dr. Jennifer Shu.

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

Guest: John Jernigan, MD

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for eight percent of all hospital-acquired infections in the United States, leading to upwards of 20,000 deaths per year. Several states have passed legislation mandating screening of hospital patients for MRSA. How effective are these screening programs? Dr. John Jernigan, chief of the interventions and evaluation section in the division of healthcare quality promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), talks with host Dr. Jennifer Shu about the CDC's role in controlling MRSA infections in healthcare settings.

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

Guest: Jeffrey Hageman, MHS

Once thought to be a problem mainly in healthcare settings, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are becoming increasingly common in the community. How can MRSA spread through the environment, and how can this spread be prevented? Jeffrey Hageman, an epidemiologist in the division of healthcare quality promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a subject matter expert on MRSA infections, details the special considerations for managing MRSA in public settings, such as schools and athletic facilities. Dr. Jennifer Shu hosts.

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

Guest: Jeffrey Hageman, MHS

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections have made news, closed schools and sometimes confused the public. How serious of a problem is MRSA in the community at large? How can we provide reliable and accurate information about MRSA to our patients? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National MRSA Education Initiative is a new resource that can arm physicians with answers. Jeffrey Hageman, an epidemiologist in the division of healthcare quality promotion at CDC and a subject matter expert on MRSA infections, joins host Dr. Jennifer Shu to share more about this countrywide program.

Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD

Guest: Sharmila Makhija, MD

Since the Gardasil vaccination has only been administered to young girls and teens since 2006, there are still questions concerning who should get the vaccine and under what circumstances., and the effectiveness of the vaccine if not taken according to suggested protocol. Dr. Sharmila Makhija, director and associate professor of gynecologic oncology at the University of Alabama, tackles with host Dr. Lisa Mazzullo who should receive the vaccine. They also discuss whether or not it's beneficial for patients to be typed and tested for HPV before receiving the vaccinations, and what happens if a patient becomes pregnant while receiving the vaccine.

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

Guest: Richard Besser, MD

One major goal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to help prepare the public for emerging health threats. What is the status of public health emergency preparedness at the federal, state and local levels? What progress has been made in preparing our country for natural, biological, chemical and other hazards? And in the context of progress, where is there room for improvement? Dr. Richard Besser, pediatrician and director of the CDC's Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response, addresses these questions and more with host Dr. Jennifer Shu.

Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD

Guest: James J. James, MD, DrPH, MHA

The spread of communicable diseases is prevalent following disasters. Joining host Dr. Bill Rutenberg for a conversation of new recommendations for vaccine preparedness to protect disaster survivors is Dr. James James. Dr. James is the director of the American Medical Association Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response and editor-in-chief of the journal Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness.