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Pregnant women infected with avian influenza face a 90% maternal and 86% infant mortality rate, underscoring the urgent need for pandemic preparedness and protection strategies.

Avian influenza during pregnancy linked to high mortality rates

A new study highlights a significant association between spontaneous miscarriage and increased risks of anxiety and depression, especially among women with low social support.

Anxiety and depression odds increased by spontaneous miscarriage

The FDA has added a boxed warning for fezolinetant (VEOZAH; Astellas), highlighting the rare occurrence of serious liver injury in patients taking the menopause treatment. 

FDA adds boxed warning to fezolinetant for rare serious liver injury

A quality improvement project highlights the benefits of starting human papillomavirus vaccination at age 9 years to increase uptake and reduce disparities in cancer prevention across pediatric populations.

Improving pediatric HPV vaccination rates: Early initiation and addressing disparities

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A Psychedelic to Treat Postpartum Depression?

CMV: In the Know

RSV Roundtable

STIs

Supplement: Closing the Gap in Cervical Cancer Screening

Vaginismus: Managing a Misunderstood and Underdiagnosed Condition

Why vNOTES Make Sense for My Patients

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While physicians face many financial and legal risks, the elephant in the room is always your professional liability and the risk of a malpractice lawsuit. We start an in-depth look at the facts about these lawsuits including where they happen, who they happen to, and what they cost.



Malpractice by the numbers

In a recent interview ObGyn.net conducted for 

 on comprehensive care and cancer screenings at well-woman visits, the topic of stethoscopes came up. Ilene S. Gewirtz, MD, the interviewee, mentioned that she still carries a stethoscope and listens to her patients' heart and lungs at well-woman visits. She also said that she believes she's in the minority regarding this practice. We want to know if she's right.

POLL: Many women consider their OB/GYN their primary care provider. But like your primary care counterpart, do you carry a stethoscope?

Do OB/GYNs Carry Stethoscopes?

A 27-year-old woman presents with an 18-month history of vulvar irritation. She is otherwise healthy except for episodes of depression. She has tried multiple agents for her condition including topical steroids, Vagisil, antibiotics, and fluconazole. She used oral steroids but developed knee pain. Tacrolimus has not helped. A biopsy revealed lichen simplex chronicus. Immunofluorescent studies were negative.

A 27-year-old woman presents with an 18-month history of vulvar irritation. She has tried multiple agents for her condition including topical steroids, Vagisil, antibiotics, and fluconazole without relief. What's your diagnosis?

Vulvar irritation in a 27-year-old woman

Saying "obstetrician-gynecologist" is a mouthful for most people, and it's probably the most abbreviated specialty in medicine, both spoken and written. However, there doesn't seem to be a consensus on how to pronounce OB-GYN. First, is it the two-syllable "O-B" or the monosyllabic "Ob"? Second, is it "gin" or "gyne" (like "Lyme")? I wonder if you have a preference. I know I do.

Almost nobody says "obstetrician-gynecologist" when speaking about these specialist physicians. But what's the "correct" way to pronounce OB/GYN?

Is It Ob-Gin or Ob-Gyne?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) views COVID-19 as an endemic virus.

 Essentially it is circulating inperpetuityand we will witnessebbs and flows in prevalence. And certainly during the holiday season, respiratory virus incidence rates can increase due to a number of factors including families and friends gatheringtogether, travel increases, and people are in closed environments because of the winter climate.
All clinicians, public health officials, and interested stakeholders will always stress the importance of vaccination as the best way to prevent or reduce the severity of COVID-19. Inevitably, people will get infected, especially as the statistics for vaccination are down.
A recent CDC MMWR report published a few weeks ago offered insights on the vaccination statistics so far into the respiratory virus season. “As of November 9, 2024, cumulative estimated coverage with 2024–2025 influenza and COVID-19 vaccines among adults aged ≥18 years was 34.7% and 17.9%, respectively. Estimated RSV vaccination coverage was 39.7% among adults aged ≥75 years and 31.6% among those aged 60–74 years at increased risk,” the authors wrote.


In this first roundtable episode, the panel touch upon what COVID-19 is at the end of 2024, offers insights on FDA approved antivirals, and the limited treatment options in the pediatric population.

Tina Tan, MD, professor of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

Scott Roberts, MD, associate medical director of Infection Prevention, Yale School of Medicine

James Wilson, DO, critical care physician in private practice

Michael Curulewski, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, BCGP infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist, Endeavor health, Northwest Community Hospital

Stay tuned for future episodes in the coming weeks.

This article was published by our sister publication 

:
1. Stein R. Is COVID endemic yet? Yep, says the CDC. Here's what that means. NPR. August 9, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/08/09/nx-s1-5060398/covid-endemic-cdc-summer-surge
2. Kriss JL, Black CL, Razzaghi H, et al. Influenza, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination Coverage Among Adults — United States, Fall 2024. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:1044–1051. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7346a1

In our latest roundtable series, we cover different therapies around COVID-19 treatment and prevention.

Clinical

COVID-19 therapy roundtable: Defining the virus today and treatment options

These are 3D ultrasound images of a 14-week fetus. What is your diagnosis?

occipital meningocele and umbilical hernia

DailyDx: 3D Images of a 14-week fetus

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued a draft recommendation for 

 screening aimed at enhancing early detection while minimizing unnecessary interventions. This update highlights that human papillomavirus (HPV) screening gives women ages 30 to 65 years the best balance of benefits and harms, and introduces self-collection of HPV samples as an effective alternative.

: Continue screening every 3 years using the Pap test.

: Opt for screening every 5 years with an HPV test. Other effective alternatives include:

Women over age 65 with a history of normal screening results.

Women who have had a total hysterectomy for non-cancer reasons.

For the first time, the USPSTF endorses self-collected HPV samples, an innovation expected to increase accessibility, particularly for underserved populations. According to Task Force member Esa Davis, MD, MPH, "Women who would be more comfortable collecting their HPV test sample themselves can now do so. We hope that this new, effective option helps even more women get screened regularly."

The recommendation underscores the importance of regular screenings in reducing cervical cancer rates. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, a sexually transmitted infection. “The latest science shows that screening for cervical cancer with an HPV test is the optimal approach for women who are 30 to 65 years old,” stated John Wong, MD, MACP, vice chair of the Task Force. He also noted, "Pap tests continue to be the best option for women in their 20s."

Additionally, Wanda Nicholson, MD, MPH, MBA, chair of the Task Force, emphasized, “Most cases of cervical cancer are in women who have not been regularly screened or appropriately treated after an abnormal test result. That’s why it’s so important that women get screened regularly, so cancer can be prevented or caught early when it’s treatable.”

The guidelines apply broadly to all individuals assigned female at birth but exclude those at higher risk due to conditions like HIV or a history of cervical cancer.

The draft recommendation is open for public comment through January 13, 2025. For details and submissions, visit 

US Preventive Services Task Force. US Preventive Services Task Force Issues Draft Recommendation Statement on Screening for Cervical Cancer. USPSTF Bulletin. December 10, 2024. Accessed December 10, 2024. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/sites/default/files/file/supporting_documents/cervical-cancer-screening-draft-rec-bulletin_0.pdf

The USPSTF has issued a draft recommendation on cervical cancer screening, find out what physicians need to know.

Ike Devji, JD

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