1 June 2009

The June edition of Australian Prescriber is now available and covers the following topics.

Rapid tests for diagnosing influenza

This review of rapid tests for diagnosing influenza is particularly timely with outbreaks of H1N1 influenza in Australia. Dr Hong Foo and Professor Dominic Dwyerfrom the Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at Westmead Hospital discuss rapid influenza tests based on viral antigen detection and immunofluorescence, and their importance in the early diagnosis of influenza.

Climate change and infectious diseases in Australia

Climate change is expected to have a direct impact on infectious diseases in Australia, but can be minimised by forward planning and public health measures, writes Dr Timothy Inglis,a medical microbiologist at the QEII Medical Centre in Perth.

Motion sickness in children

While there are many marketed remedies for travel sickness in children, few have undergone controlled trials, particularly in children. The best approach is to use simple preventative measures, writes Linda Graudins, Quality Use of Medicines Pharmacist from Sydney Children’s Hospital and the University of NSW Paediatric Therapeutics Program.

Pharmacogenetics of warfarin – is testing clinically indicated?

Pharmacogenetic testing has the potential to influence how warfarin is used. Although knowing the patient's genome can help with predicting and adjusting the dose of warfarin, Jennifer Martin explains that pharmacogenetic testing is not yet ready to be part of routine management.

For full copies of these and other articles, visit www.australianprescriber.com.

NPS News #63

The June edition of NPS News covers managing expectations for antibiotics in respiratory tract infections.

Australian Prescriber is an independent peer-reviewed journal providing critical commentary on therapeutic topics for health professionals, particularly doctors in general practice. It is published by National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS), an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.