New Clinical Guideline for Hoarseness Offers Assessment and Treatment Advice

Abstract

(http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf /uspshepbpg.htm). The USPSTF stance against routine screening for HBV in asymptomatic individuals conflicts with CDC’s recommendations for more comprehensive screening for HBV, updated in 2008 (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview /mmwrhtml/rr5708a1.htm). Previously, the agency had recommended routine testing for pregnant women, infants of infected mothers, household contacts and sex partners of infected individuals, persons born in countries where 8% or more of the population is infected, persons who may expose health workers to HBV, and those with HIV infection. The agency has expanded this list to include persons born in countries where 2% or more of the population is infected, men who have sex with men, and injection drug users. The USPSTF recommendations for HCV have also been debated. Dr Miriam Alter addressed this issue and the need for greater testing in a 2005 editorial (http://www.aafp.org/afp /20050815/editorials.html). Weinbaum said the CDC is currently revamping its HCV recommendations. Once patients with viral hepatitis infection are identified, the next challenge is ensuring access to care because many people in high-risk groups are likely to be uninsured. Attendees at the meetingdebatedwhether theRyanWhite Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, which provides funding for community-based HIV treatment programs, should be expanded to include viral hepatitis. Others argued for greater coverage through comprehensive health care reform. The CDC has commissioned the Institute of Medicine to recommend ways to further reduce the incidence of viral hepatitis infection and to mitigate complications in those with chronic infection. The report is due out in 2010 (http: //www.iom.edu/?ID=59310).