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Review
. 2006 Nov;24(4):989-1017.
doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2006.06.006.

Communicable respiratory threats in the ED: tuberculosis, influenza, SARS, and other aerosolized infections

Richard E Rothman  1 , Yu-Hsiang Hsieh, Samuel Yang
Affiliations
Review

Communicable respiratory threats in the ED: tuberculosis, influenza, SARS, and other aerosolized infections

Richard E Rothman et al. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2006 Nov.

Abstract

Respiratory infections are the most common communicable infectious diseases. EDs are the front line for patients with respiratory infections because of their acute nature and because the ED is the principal site of health care for those at highest risk. These diseases include influenza, tuberculosis, and measles, together accounting for 25% of infectious causes of death worldwide. These are emerging and biothreat agents that follow the same route of transmission, such as pneumonic plague. We discuss epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of each agent. Emphasis is on the ED's role as a public health prevention arena, with attention to education and disease prevention, early identification of disease in patients at risk, and reduction of illnesses.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Emergency department (ED) as potential bridge between community and nosocomial aerosolized respiratory infections.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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