Outbreak News Radio

Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials is one of the world's most pressing public health problems. Infectious organisms adapt to the antimicrobials designed to kill them, making the drugs ineffective. People infected with antimicrobial-resistant organisms are more likely to have longer, more expensive hospital stays, and may be more likely to die as a result of an infection.

What about penicillin allergies? How common are they and how does it impact antibiotic stewardship?

Infectious disease physician, Steven LaRosa, MD writes in his blog, My thoughts on the future of infectious disease and medicine, that it is time we get serious about penicillin allergies as part of stewardship.

Dr. LaRosa explains his position in this segment.

In his blog, My thoughts on the future of infectious disease and medicine, Infectious disease physician, Steven LaRosa, MD writes in one post of 21 infectious disease “pearls” or teaching points concerning treatment and diagnosis of infections. During this interview, I ask Dr. LaRosa to expand on several of them (from the use of Vancomycin to the treatment […]

In his blog, My thoughts on the future of infectious disease and medicine, Infectious disease physician, Steven LaRosa, MD writes in one post of 21 infectious disease "pearls" or teaching points concerning treatment and diagnosis of infections.

During this interview, I ask Dr. LaRosa to expand on several of them (from the use of Vancomycin to the treatment and interpretation of laboratory results for Babesiosis) in a very informative discussion.

What's happened to Zika and is the outbreak in the Americas over?

Michael Osterholm, Phd, joined me now to look at the "The Story Behind the Story" on Zika in the Americas. Dr Osterholm is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota.

Montezuma's revenge - Aztec Two Step - whatever nicknames it may be called, if you've experienced it, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Traveler's diarrhea is the most common medical issue that people complain of while traveling in less developed countries.

One of parasitic causes of travelers diarrhea is amebiasis, caused by the protozoan parasite, Entamoeba histolytica.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Entamoeba histolytica is well recognized as a pathogenic ameba, associated with intestinal and extraintestinal infections.

In this latest installment of the Parasites 101 series on the podcast, Parasitology teacher and author of Parasites: Tales of Humanity's Most Unwelcome Guests, Rosemary Drisdelle joined me to discuss amebiasis.

Rates of international travel continue to grow substantially. This increasing globalization in travel increases the risk of travel-related illnesses and other health exposures; therefore, health care professionals need to accurately advise travelers about these potential risks.

Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Global Health at the University of Washington and recognized expert in Tropical medicine, Christopher Sanford, MD joined me to discuss a number of travel health related issues to include vaccines, malaria, yellow fever, traveler's diarrhea and others during the interview.

Discussions on North Korea’s military arsenal -nuclear and conventional- has been headline news, particularly with threats coming from the Hermit Kingdom of missile launches towards Guam. North Korea’s tight borders make it tough to know great detail on what capabilities they really have.  What about a biological weapons program? What do we know and not […]

Discussions on North Korea's military arsenal -nuclear and conventional- has been headline news, particularly with threats coming from the Hermit Kingdom of missile launches towards Guam.

North Korea's tight borders make it tough to know great detail on what capabilities they really have.

What about a biological weapons program? What do we know and not know?

Associate professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government's biodefense program, at George Mason University, and the author of Barriers to Bioweapons: The Challenges of Expertise and Organization for Weapons Development, Sonia Ben Ouagrham-Gormley, PhD joined me for a look at what is actually known about a North Korea bioweapon program.

Lyme disease is among the most contentious of topics in health and medicine. How did a bacterial infection turn into one of the the most controversial and virulent medico-political battles in medical history? Associate Professor of Microbiology at SUNY Adirondack and co-founder of the Lyme Action Network, Holly Ahern, MS joined me for a discussion on […]

Lyme disease is among the most contentious of topics in health and medicine. How did a bacterial infection turn into one of the the most controversial and virulent medico-political battles in medical history?

Associate Professor of Microbiology at SUNY Adirondack and co-founder of the Lyme Action Network, Holly Ahern, MS joined me for a discussion on the genesis of the Lyme controversy and new developments concerning Lyme research in diagnostics and other areas.