Jennifer Barrett Assistant Editor

Opioid-related problems, such as adverse reactions and opioid dependency, are increasing among children in the United States, according to 2 study abstracts presented at the recent American Academy of Pediatrics 2017 National Conference in Chicago.

Health care providers should screen patients with HIV for chronic pain and offer appropriate pain management options, according to guidelines released by the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

The live varicella-zoster vaccine can effectively prevent shingles in rheumatoid arthritis patients starting treatment with the drug tofacitinib.

More US teens are receiving human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, but more work is needed to get more adolescents vaccinated, according to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

A decline in flu vaccination rates among children in the 2016-2017 season may have been due to the absence of the nasal spray as an immunization option, according to new data published in Vaccine.

Officials with the FDA have approved a new indication for liraglutide (Victoza, Novo Nordisk), according to a press release from Novo. The updated indication makes Victoza the only type 2 diabetes drug indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Officials with the CDC have published recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines for the 2017-2018 season.

Prior effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) can profoundly reduce the risk of sexual transmission of the HIV for couples attempting conception, according to a report published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Epilepsy rates among Americans have been increasing, according to data reported in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The FDA has approved a novel fixed-dose combination therapy indicated to treat hyperuricemia in patients with uncontrolled gout.

The results of a recent survey suggest Americans are increasingly likely to receive their flu vaccination this year.

Although asthma prevalence and death rates have decreased overall, the prevalence of lung conditions worldwide has increased between 1990 and 2015, according to the results of the 2015 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study.

In 2 reviews recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers analyzed ongoing studies aimed at plant-based cannabis’ medicinal benefits, including use in chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Overall, influenza vaccines reduced the number of influenza illnesses in the 2015-2016 season. However, the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) was shown to be ineffective in children during this time, according to a recently-published study.

The CDC Health Alert Network issued a health advisory identifying an increase in reported cases of cyclosporiasis in summer 2017.

A recently-published study has indicated that a new antibiotic may have the potential to treat gonorrhea.

Officials with the FDA have issued a safety alert advising health care professionals and patients against the use of any liquid product manufactured by PharmaTech LLC, Davie, Florida, due to possible Burkholderia cepacia contamination.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) can effectively treat patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), according to a study recently published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

In a safety alert issued by the FDA, officials warned against the use of “Balguti Kesaria (or Kesaria Balguti) Ayurvedic Medicine,” due to risk of lead poisoning.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has announced the formation of a new Department of Justice (DOJ) pilot program aimed at targeting the abuse and diversion of opioid medications.

Educating patients about various medical conditions, and correcting medical misinformation that patients may be researching on their own in places like the Internet comprises a large portion of a nurse practitioner’s day, according to the findings of a recent Merck Manuals survey.

Every year, viewers tune into the Discovery Channel's highly anticipated Shark Week. Sharks often get a bad reputation, but they can actually play key roles in finding new treatments for diseases.

An asthma drug may potentially be useful in treating type 2 diabetes, according to a recently-published study.

A recently-published study has found another reason to enjoy a cup of coffee.

Despite recent concerns about proton pump inhibitor (PPI) safety, a recently-published study found no evidence that PPI use contributes to a higher risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in older adults.

The benefits of statins may be more more far-reaching than previously thought, according to research presented at EuroCMR 2017 last week.