Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

New Oral Drug Approved For UTIs

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the combination sulopenem etzadroxil and probenecid, an oral antibiotic, to treat bacterial urinary tract infections (UTI) in adult women caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Proteus mirabilis. Manufacturer Iterum Therapeutics anticipates a commercial launch for the drug, branded as Orlynvah, in 2025, according to Reuters. The oral drug is taken twice daily for 5 days and can be used to treat uncomplicated UTIs in women who …

Vibrio Infections Rise Along With Florida Floodwaters

In recent weeks, Florida has experienced a spike in Vibrio vulnificus bacterial infection cases since the widespread flooding and heavy rains in the aftermath of 2 major hurricanes, as reported by the state’s health department. This year, there have already been 74 cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections, similar to the number cases reported in 2022, when Hurricane Ian and other major storms hit the state. The latest data also shows 13 deaths attributed to Vibrio …

Urgent Cares in Indiana See Rise in Pneumonia Cases

Providers are concerned about a dramatic rise in pneumonia cases in Indianapolis, according to Mirror Indy. The Indiana state health department does not track the disease, but 2 of IU Health’s urgent care locations in Indianapolis reported a 200% increase in cases. The locations saw 43 cases of pneumonia in September, up from 14 in August, which includes 15 pediatric cases in September, compared to just 1 in August. The department of health sent an …

High Dose Stimulants Present Elevated Risk for Mania

A recent study of adult emergency department (ED) admissions published in Psychiatry Online found that patients taking high doses of prescription amphetamine drugs such as Adderall (>30 mg dextroamphetamine equivalents) have a 5.28-fold increased risk for developing psychosis or mania. Researchers compared 1,374 cases of individuals presenting with first-episode psychosis or mania to 2,748 control patients with a psychiatric hospitalization for other conditions. Data analysis suggests that 81% of cases of psychosis or mania potentially …

Arm Position Matters In Blood Pressure Measurement

A randomized clinical trial of 133 adults published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that arm position can have an effect on blood pressure (BP) readings. When subjects supported their arm on their lap, it resulted in systolic BP readings overestimated by 3.9 mm Hg and diastolic BP readings overestimated by 4.0 mm Hg. Additionally, an unsupported arm at the subject’s side overestimated systolic BP by 6.5 mm Hg and diastolic BP by 4.4 mm Hg. …

GLP-1 Drugs May Have Potential For Addiction Treatment

Patients taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs like semaglutide for diabetes may have a lower risk of opioid drug overdose, according to a new study led by National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow, MD, published in JAMA Network Open. Previous empirical studies and anecdotal reports of fewer drug cravings among individuals with type 2 diabetes and comorbid opioid use disorder who use semaglutide inspired the study. Because the GLP-1 drugs are relatively new, there …

Iron Deficiency Affects Many American Adults

A cross-sectional study of data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey from 2017 to 2020 of 8,021 adults found that 14% of U.S. adults experience absolute iron deficiency (defined as serum ferritin less than 30 ng/mL regardless of transferrin saturation), while 15% have functional iron deficiency (defined as serum ferritin greater than or equal to 30 ng/mL with transferrin saturation less than 20%). Absolute iron deficiency is more prevalent among younger women, however, …

COVID Vaccination Provides Cardiovascular Protection

Vaccination may protect people from serious cardiovascular disease associated with COVID-19. As published in the European Heart Journal, researchers in Sweden studied risk windows in the time immediately after each of 3 doses of the COVID vaccine and assessed several outcomes. The risk of cardiovascular events for patients vaccinated with 3 doses was generally 20–30% lower than for those with no vaccinations. Additionally, stroke risk was lower after vaccination than without, while the risk of …

Pertussis Surge Puts Public Health on Alert

Cases of whooping cough have surged in 2024, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting at least 15,661 cases in the United States through September 21, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels. Preliminary data shows that about 5 times as many cases have been reported compared to last year, according to CDC. Pennsylvania recorded the highest number of cases at 2,087, followed by New York with 1,781. Public health experts are concerned …

COVID-19 Boosters Reduce Symptoms For Health Workers

Healthcare workers receiving a COVID-19 booster vaccine had a 45% lower risk of having symptoms 6 weeks after infection, as published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases. From December 2021 to April 2022 (during the omicron period), workers who had COVID-19 and had also received a 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose had a lower prevalence of any symptoms compared to those who did not have a 3rd dose when measured at 6 weeks post-infection (adjusted odds ratio …