Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease is a concise, yet comprehensive, clinical resource highlighting must-know information on rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever from a global perspective. Covering the major issues dominating the field, this practical resource presents sufficient detail for a deep and thorough understanding of the latest treatment options, potential complications, and disease management strategies to improve patient outcomes. - Divided into four distinct sections for ease of navigation: Acute Rheumatic Fever, Rheumatic Heart Disease, Population-Based Strategies for Disease Control, and Acute and Emergency Presentations. - International editors and chapter authors ensure a truly global perspective. - Covers all clinical aspects, including epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, management, and treatment. - Includes key topics on population-based measures for disease control for effective primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. - Consolidates today's available information and guidance into a single, convenient resource.

Rheumatic heart disease presents a major public health challenge (particularly for children) and major determinants are poverty, malnutrition, overcrowding, poor housing and a shortage of health-care resources. Although cost effective prevention and control strategies are available, they remain underused in most developing countries. This publication contains the report of a WHO expert consultation, held in Geneva in October 2001, which reviewed the current scientific knowledge of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, as well as the medical and public health related practices. It suggests practical recommendations for an evidence-based approach to the prevention and management of the disease and for cost-effective programmes for their control.

The WHO guideline on the prevention and diagnosis of rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) provides evidence-informed recommendations. It encompasses three areas; 1) primary prevention of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, specifically the identification and treatment of suspected group A (beta-haemolytic) Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis and skin infections; 2) secondary prevention of recurrent rheumatic fever and of rheumatic heart disease, specifically use of long-term antibiotic prophylaxis, interventions to increase adherence to antibiotic prophylaxis, and screening for early rheumatic heart disease; and 3) management of rheumatic fever, specifically the treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. Rheumatic fever and RHD are associated with poverty, residential overcrowding, insufficient access to clean water and sanitation, and barriers to accessing care. Therefore, its adoption, adaptation and implementation should ensure: - Adequate living conditions including access to clean water, sanitation and living spaces, housing, and appropriate ventilation in homes and residences. - Equitable access to high-quality services for the prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of suspected or confirmed GAS infections and RF/RHD. It is intended for wide audience involved in the prevention and management of RF and RHD. Web annex A provides information on the processes, methods, and key questions, and web annex B, unpublished systematic review reports.

Surgical site infections are caused by bacteria that get in through incisions made during surgery. They threaten the lives of millions of patients each year and contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance. In low- and middle-income countries, 11% of patients who undergo surgery are infected in the process. In Africa, up to 20% of women who have a caesarean section contract a wound infection, compromising their own health and their ability to care for their babies. But surgical site infections are not just a problem for poor countries. In the United States, they contribute to patients spending more than 400 000 extra days in hospital at a cost of an additional US $10 billion per year. No international evidence-based guidelines had previously been available before WHO launched its global guidelines on the prevention of surgical site infection on 3 November 2016, and there are inconsistencies in the interpretation of evidence and recommendations in existing national guidelines. These new WHO guidelines are valid for any country and suitable to local adaptations, and take account of the strength of available scientific evidence, the cost and resource implications, and patient values and preferences.

This book is meticulously designed for the busy student, trainee, or seasoned physician looking to enhance or refresh skills in infectious diseases. It is intended to provide a solid resource for students and physicians in need of a concise yet comprehensive background of the material. Each chapter begins with a summary of the topic, a brief case description, definitions, critical teaching points, and tables, figures, photos, and other visual materials to reinforce learning. The chapters take a systems based approach to infections before concluding with the essentials of diagnostic microbiology to leave users with a practical toolkit for real-world clinics. Authored by two expert educators and dual infectious diseases and pediatrics specialists, Clinical Infectious Diseases Study Guide is the only updated study guide designed for medical students, fellows, residents, and trainees who need a strong foundation in infectious diseases. This includes infectious disease specialists in both adult and pediatric care, various internal medicine subspecialists, and hospitalists.

Cardiovascular, respiratory, and related conditions cause more than 40 percent of all deaths globally, and their substantial burden is rising, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Their burden extends well beyond health effects to include significant economic and societal consequences. Most of these conditions are related, share risk factors, and have common control measures at the clinical, population, and policy levels. Lives can be extended and improved when these diseases are prevented, detected, and managed. This volume summarizes current knowledge and presents evidence-based interventions that are effective, cost-effective, and scalable in LMICs.

WHO has launched new guidelines on use of medically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals, recommending that farmers and the food industry stop using antibiotics routinely to promote growth and prevent disease in healthy animals. These guidelines aim to help preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics that are important for human medicine by reducing their use in animals.

Today rheumatic fever is still the most common cause of heart disease in children and young adults in developing countries. This disease is typically associated with poverty, in particular with poor housing, overcrowding and inadequate medical care. Rheumatic fever has almost disappeared from economically developed countries; this trend has paralleled improvements in standards of living. However, the recent resurgence of rheumatic fever in middle-class families in the U. S. A. has re-emphasized the importance of this disease in the developed countries as well. Prevention and control of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease is an important part of the WHO cardiovascular disease program. Based on earlier WHO experience, and on the magnitude of the problem, it was realized that concerted action was needed to combat this significant cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The present program has been developed on the principle that sound knowledge and reliable technology already exist for implementing community programs for the prevention and control of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease with the intention of extending activities toward nationwide coverage. The first edition of this book was an excellent instrument to assist in the control of this disease. The present volume with dissemination of knowledge to health personnel will contribute to closing the gap between knowledge and implementation and it links with WHO's endeavors in prevention and control of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.

The Pocket Book is for use by doctors nurses and other health workers who are responsible for the care of young children at the first level referral hospitals. This second edition is based on evidence from several WHO updated and published clinical guidelines. It is for use in both inpatient and outpatient care in small hospitals with basic laboratory facilities and essential medicines. In some settings these guidelines can be used in any facilities where sick children are admitted for inpatient care. The Pocket Book is one of a series of documents and tools that support the Integrated Managem.