Sore Throat Research Articles

A cross-sectional analysis of antibiotic use: attitudes and practices in the Albanian community

BackgroundAntibiotic resistance (AR) represents a global health challenge. Within the coordinated efforts to tackle AR, community education is a key strategy to enhance awareness and improve antibiotic use. The current study intends to investigate the Albanian community’s attitude and practices regarding antibiotic use, including recent health related developments, like COVID-19. MethodsA cross sectional survey was conducted among Albanian residents between December 2022 and March 2023, using a standardized questionnaire which featured three sections covering demographic data, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use. Statistical analysis included both descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test to assess relationships between categorical variables. ResultsThe questionnaire was effectively completed by 519 participants. The majority were females (70.1%) within the 18-30 age range (55.5%) and had a college/university degree (93.3%). 53.4% reported antibiotic use without a medical prescription, with amoxicillin and azithromycin being the most used antibiotics. Commonly cited reasons for antibiotic use were self-reported symptoms such as flu/common cold, sore throat, cough, and fever (82.3%). 69.0% reported following prescribed antibiotic courses, with higher adherence among females and those with higher education. Awareness of AR was considerable (78.0%), with females evidencing more awareness compared to males. Only 34.3% of participants reported antibiotic use for COVID-19, mostly after testing positive, with azithromycin being the most frequently used antibiotic. ConclusionsOur study highlights concerning trends in antibiotic self-medication and awareness gaps in prudent antibiotic use emphasizing the need for tailored educational programs, regulatory oversight, and robust surveillance systems in Albania's healthcare.

Efficacy and safety of paracetamol, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine maleate and sodium citrate in Indian paediatric patients with common cold: an active post-marketing surveillance study

Background: The common cold, mainly caused by viruses, brings discomfort to children with symptoms like sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. As no specific antiviral treatments are available to relieve common cold symptoms, it is typically managed using decongestants, antihistamines, and antipyretics. This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of paracetamol, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine maleate and sodium citrate in children aged 2 to 12 years with common cold. Methods: This non-randomized, open-label, non-comparative, active post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study was conducted across multiple centres in India, involving 417 patients. The study assessed efficacy using the total symptom score (TSS) scale over 5 days with visits on days 1, 3, and 5. Safety was evaluated based on adverse events reported by patients on days 3 and 5 of the trial. Results: Initially, 417 patients were enrolled in the active PMS, of which 309 completed the study. The mean TSS showed a notable decrease from 8.95 at visit 1 to 0.19 at visit 3, depicting a significant reduction i.e., 97.90% as compared to baseline. At visit 1, most patients (95.79%) exhibited severe symptoms, whereas by visit 3, 83.82% were symptom-free, with only 16.18% experiencing mild symptoms. Conclusions: This active PMS study examined the safety and efficacy of an FDC of paracetamol, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine maleate and sodium citrate in treating common cold in children in India. The findings indicate a significant reduction in symptoms, with many patients becoming symptom-free by the third visit, demonstrating its efficacy and safety.

The Vocal Quality of the Sender is Able to Influence the Cognitive Performance and Cortisol Level of the Listener

To verify the influence of the sender's vocal quality on performance in cognitive tests and on the receiver's cortisol level. Observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study. Four voices were selected to represent adapted voice (AdV), and rough voice of discreet degree (DV), moderate (MV), and intense (IV). These participants recorded the stimuli used in the attention and memory tests, which included 139 undergraduate students as receivers. Saliva was collected from recipients for cortisol assessment one minute before and after 15, 30 and 45minutes of the cognitive assessment. Statistically significant differences were identified between the groups in the repetition test, with worse results in IV. Cortisol increased significantly in the MV group when compared with the other groups after 15minutes of the cognitive test. Emitters' rough voices can negatively influence performance in cognitive tests that require attention and working memory and leads to a short-term increase in the receiver's cortisol levels.

Tinosporae radix: A Review of Traditional Use, Botany, Phytochemistry, Bioactivity, and Quality Marker.

Tinosporae radix is the root tuber of Tinospora capillipes Gagnep of the Menispermaceae family. It has the effects of clearing away heat and toxins, benefiting the throat, relieving pain, and treating sore throat, carbuncle and boils, and other diseases in clinical practice. The related references about T. radix in this review were collected by online databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, Web of Science, Willy, SciFinder, SpringLink, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, ACS publications, Scopus, and CNKI. The other information about T. radix was acquired from ancient books and classical works. T. radix is an important medicinal plant with a variety of traditional uses according to the theory of Chinese medicine. Previous studies revealed that T. radix contained a variety of chemical components, including diterpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, cinnamic acid derivatives, and other compounds. Many pharmacological researches have exhibited that T. radix possesses various biological activities, including anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-ulcer, and anti-oxidant activities. Furthermore, the quality markers of T. radix were summarized and analyzed in this paper. The traditional use, botany, phytochemistry, bioactivity, and quality markers of T. radix were reviewed in this paper. It will not only provide an important clue for further studying T. radix, but also supply an important theoretical basis and a valuable reference for in-depth research and exploitations of this plant in the future.

Effect of preoperative clove oil gargle on postoperative sore throat in adults after surgery: A randomized placebo-controlled blinded study

Effect of preoperative clove oil gargle on postoperative sore throat in adults after surgery: A randomized placebo-controlled blinded study

Investigating Potential Sources of Sore Throat: Physico-Chemical Attributes and Microbial Contamination in Rambutan from Fresh Harvests and Retail Stores

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), a tropical fruit cherished for its succulent flesh and vibrant appearance, is cultivated extensively across various regions worldwide. However, despite its popularity, the fruit faces challenges related to particulate contamination during the harvesting process. Particulate matter contamination refers to the presence of solid or liquid particles suspended in the air or adhered to the fruit's surface, posing potential risks to both consumer health and fruit quality. Hence, this study aims to identify the factors in rambutan that could cause sore throats by analysing its physicochemical properties and conducting a microbiological study. For this study, two samples of rambutan fruit which are rambutan sold in stores (RS) and rambutan freshly harvested from the tree (RT) were collected and analysed for their external peel, internal peel, and pulp parts (n = 3). The assessment included the weight of visible fine dirt, pH value, oil content, surface morphology and total coliform (TPC). The results showed that the weight of visible fine dirt on RT external peel (93.50 ± 5.00 mg) and the pH value of its external peel and pulp (4.17 ± 0.00 - 5.17 ± 0.00) were significantly higher and more acidic (p<0.05) than those of RS. However, there were insignificant differences (p>0.05) in oil content (0.36 ± 0.7 - 0.38 ± 0.8%) between the external peels of the rambutan samples. Additionally, the surface morphology and image analysis of RS showed more foreign particles, represented as black or white dots on its internal peel and pulp, compared to RT, which was suspected to be yeast. Moreover, the total coliform count for both samples was significantly different (p<0.05) in their external peel and pulp, but it was still within the safe eating limit. The study concluded that environmental pollution and contamination during rambutan handling could cause sore throat.

Beyond the acute: pain in long COVID survivors at 1.5 years.

Long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms post-acute COVID-19, remains a subject of intense investigation. This study focuses on pain, a common and notable symptom reported by long COVID patients. A cohort of 191 individuals, initially diagnosed with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, was followed up 1.5 years later to assess the frequency, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with pain persistence. Our study revealed that 31.9% of participants experienced at least one persistent pain symptom after 1.5 years. Headache emerged as the most prevalent symptom (29.8%), followed by myalgia (5.8%) and neuropathic pain (4.2%). Factors such as female gender and the presence of neuropathic pain symptom were identified as predictors of long-term headaches. Myalgia, showed associations with headache, arthralgia, and low ferritin levels. Persistent neuropathic pain symptom (4.2%) was linked to older age, female gender, sore throat, and headache. This study provides insights into the evolution of pain symptoms over time after COVID-19 infection, emphasizing the interconnection between different pain syndromes. This research contributes to understanding the diverse and evolving nature of pain in long COVID survivors, offering valuable insights for targeted interventions and further investigations into the underlying mechanisms of persistent pain.

Impact of the long-term hydroxychloroquine use on COVID-19 severity in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease

Background-Aim: After the numerous studies, the clinical effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) against SARS-CoV-2 is now accepted limited. Besides this, HCQ has still been the first option in most rheumatology practices. To evaluate the frequency, severity and complication of COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatologic disease (ARD) receiving and not receiving long-term HCQ. Methods: A total of 309 ARD patients were retrospectively evaluated for COVID-19 disease with a SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and IgM/IgG antibody.Patients were grouped as HCQ or non-HCQ groups. COVID-19 clinical symptoms development of viral pneumonia, rates of hospitalization, mortality due to COVID-19 and time from initial symptom to viral pneumonia, clinical recovery and RT-PCR negativity were evaluated. Results: During the 13 month study period, 54 (17.4%) were diagnosed with COVID-19, the frequency of COVID-19 was similar between the HCQ (17.9%) and non-HCQ groups (16.7%), p=0.793. The frequency of the myalgia, arthralgia and sore throat were higher in the non-HCQ group, the frequency of other clinical signs and symptoms were higher in the HCQ group but none of them reached statistical significance. In all patients, viral pneumonia was diagnosed in 9 (16.7%), requiring hospitalization in 8 (14.8%), requiring oxygen therapy in 4 (7.4 %) patients and these severe COVID-19 clinical features were similar between groups. COVID-19 complications were seen in 2 patients, 1 of whom was mortality due to ARDS and one was supraventricular tachycardia but thromboembolism or rheumatologic disease activation were not observed. Conclusions: As with the frequency of COVID-19, severity of COVID19 were similar between patients with and without long-term HCQ use in ARD. COVID 19 complications were found to be rare in our study.

Retrospective analysis of an outbreak of scarlet fever in United Arab Emirates.

Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. However, there is limited data regarding the disease in the Arab World, including the United Arab Emirates. To analyse a scarlet fever outbreak in United Arab Emirates. This retrospective cross-sectional study included scarlet fever cases diagnosed at the Kanad Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates in 2022 and 2023. Data were retrieved from the hospital records and analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Chi-Square, Mann-Whitney, and Monte Carlo tests were applied. Two hundred and twenty-two cases (13.5% in 2022 and 86.5% in 2023) were confirmed (P<0.001). Majority (67.1%) of the patients were aged 3-6 years, with a mean age of 4.56 ± 1.99 years. Rash, fever and sore throat were observed in 100%, 99.1%, and 82.0% of cases, respectively. The majority (85.1%) were managed as outpatients and 77.0% responded to oral penicillin. Patients' age was not significantly associated with nonresponse to penicillin and in-hospital admission. The outbreak had winter and summer peaks, with the highest incidence occurring during January and February 2023. This study serves as a valuable reference for other studies, which should include antimicrobial susceptibility testing and the prevailing genetic variance of Streptococcus pyogenes.

Does the Addition of Point-of-Care Testing Alter Antibiotic Prescribing Decisions When Patients Present with Acute Sore Throat to Primary Care? A Prospective Test of Change.

Accurate clinical diagnosis of patients presenting to primary care settings with acute sore throat remains challenging, often resulting in the over-prescribing of antibiotics. Using point-of-care tests (POCTs) to differentiate between respiratory infections is well-accepted, yet evidence on the application within primary care is sparse. We assessed the application of testing patients (n = 160) from three family practices with suspected Streptococcal infections using rapid molecular tests (ID NOW Strep A2, Abbott). In addition to comparing clinical evaluation and prescription rates with either usual care or testing, patients and staff completed a questionnaire about their experience of molecular POCT in primary care. The immediate availability of the result was important to patients (100%), and staff (≈90%) stated that molecular testing improved the quality of care. Interestingly, only 22.73% of patients with a Centor score > 2 tested positive for Strep A and, overall, less than 50% of Centor scores 3 and 4 tested positive for Strep A with the ID NOW testing platform. The addition of rapid molecular POCTs to clinical assessment resulted in a 55-65% reduction in immediate and deferred antibiotic prescriptions. The intervention was popular with patients and medical staff but was associated with increased cost and a longer appointment length.

A Retrospective Study on Effectiveness of Antimonium Tartaricum 200 for Respiratory Complaints in Paediatric Age Group

Common upper respiratory tract infections in children are Nasopharyngitis (common cold), Acute tonsillopharyngitis (sore throat) and common lower respiratory tract infections epiglottitis, laryngitis, larygotracheo bronchitis, spasmodic laryngitis, Pneumonia, Bronchiolitis, Bronchial asthma etc. Aim: The study’s objectives are to highlight the incidence of respiratory in kids and identify the effectiveness of Antimonium tartaricum 200 for respiratory complaints in paediatric age group.

A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Preoperative Low-dose Nebulised Dexamethasone in Decreasing the Incidence of Postoperative Sore Throat in Patients Undergoing Surgery Under General Anaesthesia

Background and Aims: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a stereotypical postoperative complication that usually occurs in approximately 21%–65% of patients who are under general anaesthesia and is ranked around eighth among the most undesirable subjective and unpleasant complaints by the society of American anaesthesiologist after general anaesthesia. As airway management is a crucial factor in the causation of POST, various methods, especially non-pharmacological, are used to reduce the incidence of postoperative sore throat with the use of a small-sized endotracheal tube with low intracuff pressures. The tracheal tube is applied with other agents that may help in reducing the symptoms such as steroids, lozenges, lignocaine, ketamine gargles, inhalation of steroids (also included in pharmacological methods used for reducing the incidence of postoperative sore throat). Aim and Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic low-dose nebulised dexamethasone for decreasing the incidence of post-extubation sore throat and to evaluate the complications of low-dose dexamethasone nebulisation in patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia. Patients and Methods: The study was done in the Anaesthesiology Department of Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (MMIMSR) Mullana, Ambala, after institutional ethical committee approval and written, informed consent was obtained from the patients from March 2021 to March 2022 with a group size of Group S – 25 patients and Group D – 25 patients. Observation and Results: The results showed that patients in the dexamethasone group had a lower POST rate compared to the control group. Conclusion: We concluded that a low dose of 4 mg dexamethasone was effective in reducing the incidence and severity of POST in patients after anaesthesia, and no side effects compared to 4 mg normal saline.

Comprehensive Analysis of Chemical Ingredients of Waiganfengsha Granule and Absorbed Components in Rat Plasma Based on UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

Waiganfengsha Granule, an over-the-counter drug, is commonly used for treating windheat cold and sore throat in clinical settings. However, its material basis of medicinal efficacy is still unclear. In this study, an efficient integrated analytical strategy was established for its chemical and metabolite profiles study. Firstly, to avoid the possible false-positive results of structural elucidation, an in-house component library that contains chemical constituents reported in the literature from the six individual medicines of Waiganfengsha Granule was established. Secondary, mass data post-processing techniques, including precursor ion list and neutral loss filtering, were applied to enhance the identification accuracy. Thirdly, for the rapid characterization of those absorbed components after oral administration in rats, the identified chemical constituents were used as candidate components for the serum analysis. By comparing the retention time and analyzing mass data, the metabolites in rat plasma were identified. As a result, 57 chemical ingredients were identified, including 21 phenolic acids, 9 alkaloids, 2 flavonoids, 5 lignins, 13 saponins, and 7 other compounds. Among these, 12 compounds were unambiguously identified by comparison with reference standards, and 45 were tentatively characterized by analyzing their accurate MS data, MS/MS fragmentation patterns, and also by comparison with those data reported in the literature. Additionally, 46 metabolites were detected and identified in rat plasma. This study is beneficial for understanding the chemical composition and metabolic profiles of Waiganfengsha Granule, and the results obtained might provide a solid basis for further studies on its functional mechanism.

Male Reproduction and Health after Recovery from COVID-19 Infection

Objective. To study the reproductive hormones, semen quality, psychology, and sexual function of childbearing age men after recovery from Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. Materials and Methods. We recruited 387 men of childbearing age who recovered from COVID-19 infection and underwent prepregnancy health checks at the Reproductive Center of Shandong Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January to March 2023 as study subjects. Routine semen analysis and reproductive hormones were performed. The clinical symptoms, anxiety, depression, erectile function, and premature ejaculation questionnaire were investigated during the COVID-19 infection period. A control group of 226 men of childbearing age who were not infected with COVID-19 between August 2022 and October 2022 were selected based on questionnaire responses, reproductive hormones, and semen parameters. Results. The main clinical symptoms during COVID-19 infection of the 387 research subjects were fever (342/387, 88.37%), muscle pain (155/387, 40.05%), anosmia (124/387, 32.04%), cough (106/387, 27.39%), throat pain (53/387, 13.70%), nausea and vomiting (16/387, 4.13%), and testicular discomfort (5/387, 1.29%). The rates of anxiety and depression were 11.37% (44/387) and 32.82% (127/387), respectively; erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) of the research subjects were accounted for 32.30% (125/387) and 6.98% (27/387). The IEF-5 score (P&lt;0.001) decreased significantly compared to the control group, while the PHQ-9 score (P&lt;0.001), the rate of increased ED (P&lt;0.001), and the rate of depression increased (P&lt;0.001). There were statistically significant differences in liquefaction time (P&lt;0.05), the progressive sperm motility (P&lt;0.05), total sperm motility (P&lt;0.05), the rates of progressive sperm motility &lt;32% (P&lt;0.05), and total sperm motility &lt;40% (P&lt;0.05) between the 1 month, the 2 months after recovery from COVID-19 and controls. Circular cell counts (P&lt;0.05) at 2 and 3 months were lower than in the controls. No changes in reproductive hormones before and after recovery from infection. Conclusion. COVID-19 infection exacerbates depression and ED. It has a sustained effect on sperm motility and liquefaction time in men. The effects of COVID-19 infection on semen persist for approximately 2 months, with recovery occurring in the third month. Reproductive hormone levels do not appear to be continuously affected after recovery from COVID-19.

#2864 IgA dominant post-infectious glomerulonephritis secondary to the infected left ankle joint in a non-diabetic patient, a case report

Abstract Introduction Post-infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN) is an immune complex glomerulonephritis that commonly affects children and young adults following beta haemolytic Streptococcal throat or skin infections. Kidney biopsy is characterised by Segmental or global endocapillary hypercellularity, and crescents may be present. In immunofluorescence, post-infectious glomerulonephritis typically shows IgG and C3 deposition. A rare type of PIGN is IgA-dominant post-infection glomerulonephritis. It commonly occurs in the setting of active infection. It usually presents in patients &amp;gt; 60 years old with diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption, and Staphylococcal infections. It can present with RPGN, AKI, and nephrotic syndrome. Hypocomplementemia can be present, and immunofluorescence is characterised by IgA dominance with C3 co-dominance and no IgG. Despite the strong association with Staph aureus, however, it has been reported with other types of infections. The main line of treatment is antibiotic eradication of the infection. Steroids can be used based on the severity of the lesion and the presence of crescents. Its prognosis is worse than that of the traditional PIGN. In this case, we report a case of IgA-dominant post-infectious glomerulonephritis secondary to left ankle osteomyelitis with Staph aureus infection. Case Presentation A 65-year-old lady had open reduction and internal fixation of a left trimalleolar ankle fracture in June 2023 at a district general hospital. Unfortunately, the post-operative course was complicated by wound infection. The wound swab showed Heavy growth of Staphylococcus aureus. This was followed by Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) stage 3; therefore, she was transferred from her hospital to our renal ward. On admission to the ward, her creatinine was 388 μmol/L(baseline creatinine was 73 μmol/L one month before admission), urine dipstick was positive for blood and protein, and urine protein creatinine ratio was 480 mg/mmol. She had only a medical background of bronchial asthma for which she was only on Inhalers (Beta Agonist) as a regular medication. CT scan of the left ankle revealed appearances consistent with osteomyelitis of both the lateral and medial malleoli. This finding was discussed with microbiology and orthopaedic teams, and the patient was started on intravenous antibiotics (Vancomycin followed by doxycycline). A kidney biopsy was done. Mesangial electron-dense deposits were identified. Immunohistochemistry revealed IgA dominant, predominantly mesangial positivity, with associated C3. The picture was consistent with IgA acute glomerulonephritis associated with S. aureus, which is a post-infectious Glomerulonephritis with dominant IgA staining (rather than conventional IgA nephropathy). With proper intravenous hydration and antibiotics, her inflammatory markers started to improve, and her renal chemistry followed the inflammatory markers, and her last creatinine improved to 146 μmol/L, eGFR 31 ml/min and UPCR was 40 mg/mmol. Discussion IgA-dominant post-infectious glomerulonephritis is now a distinct form of PIGN, which usually presents with acute kidney injury, haematuria, and proteinuria and is typically related to Staph aureus infection. In contrast to typical IgA nephropathy, there is no role for steroid or immunosuppression in the treatment of IgA-dominant post-infectious glomerulonephritis, and the treatment is mainly dependent on the treatment of infection.

Channelled versus nonchannelled Macintosh videolaryngoscope blades in patients with a cervical collar: a randomized controlled noninferiority trial.

Channelled blades have the advantage of avoiding stylet use and potential airway injury during videolaryngoscopic intubation. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of channelled Macintosh-type blades has not yet been fully established. We sought to assess the utility of channelled Macintosh-type blades for videolaryngoscopic intubation under cervical spine immobilization. We conducted a randomized controlled noninferiority trial in neurosurgical patients with a difficult airway simulated by a cervical collar. Videolaryngoscopic intubation with a reinforced tracheal tube was performed using a channelled Macintosh-type blade without a stylet (channelled group, n = 130) or a nonchannelled Macintosh-type blade with a stylet (nonchannelled group, n = 131). The primary outcome was intubation success rate. Secondary outcomes included time to intubation and incidence or severity of intubation-related complications (subglottic, lingual, and dental injuries; bleeding; sore throat; and hoarseness). The initial intubation success rate was 98% and 99% in the channelled and nonchannelled groups, respectively, showing the noninferiority of the channelled group (difference in proportions -0.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -4.8% to 2.9%; predefined noninferiority margin, -5%; P = 0.62). Fewer participants in the channelled group had subglottic injuries than in the nonchannelled group (32% [32/100] vs 57% [54/95]; difference in proportions, -25%; 95% CI, -39% to -11%; P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the overall intubation success rate, time to intubation, and incidence or severity of other intubation-related complications. For videolaryngoscopic intubation in patients with a cervical collar, channelled Macintosh-type blades are an alternative to nonchannelled Macintosh-type blades, with a noninferior initial intubation success rate and a lower incidence of subglottic injury. CRIS.nih.go.kr ( KCT0005186 ); first submitted 29 June 2020.

Review on Herbal Mouthwash for Management and Prevention of Oral Diseases

General health and dental health are equally important. Periodontal disease, gingivitis, plaque, and sore throats may affect a higher proportion of the population these days. To support maintaining the best possible dental health, several formulae are available. To support maintaining the best possible dental health, several formulae are available. Using mouthwash is recommended to lessen plaque, discomfort, bacteria, and bad breath. Herbal mouthwash is preferred over chemical mouthwash since it has fewer side effects or almost no side effects, doesn't include alcohol, and is not irritating. Medicinal plants can be used for prevention, treatment and management of disease as they have antibacterial qualities against pathogens that afflict humans. Compared to synthetic mouthwash, herbal mouthwash has fewer or no negative effects because it is made from extracts of crude drugs. Several plant extracts are used to make herbal mouthwashes. The following herbs which are helpful in dentistry are mentioned in this article: clove, peppermint, miswak, Tulsi, wintergreen, guava, pomegranate, and cinnamon. Mouthwashes made with natural ingredients that people may easily make and use safely at home could improve dental health in general. Using natural mouthwash to maintain dental health is the main objective of this review.

THE ISSUE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE INCIDENCE AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

Introduction. The training of future medical professionals involves not only development of skills and professional background, but also maintaining a sufficient health status; therefore the relevance of studying an incidence of infectious pathologies in medical students is exceptionally important. The purpose of the study is to investigate, analyze, and compare incidence of some infectious diseases among medicine students. Materials and methods. We utilized various research methods including analysis of scientific sources, synthesis and comparison of studies by other researchers, surveys, observations, interviews, and statistical data on the incidence of infectious diseases in Ukraine and worldwide. Additionally, we conducted a poll among first-year students of the medical faculty at Vinnytsia National Pirogov Memorial Medical University using Google Forms to gather data on the incidence of respiratory and digestive system infections. The study revealed that approximately 65% of the surveyed students had experienced coronavirus disease, mostly in a mild form. Among acute respiratory viral infections, flu (55.3%), sore throat (31.3%), and rhinopharyngitis (21.3%) were the most common (79.1%) among medical students. About 74% of respondents reported no chronic diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, while the rest mentioned conditions such as allergic rhinitis (10%), chronic tonsillitis (10%), chronic pharyngitis (3.4%), and vocal cord diseases (2%). In terms of infectious pathologies of the digestive system, food poisoning of unspecified etiology (33.3%) and viral intestinal infections (11.7%) were the most prevalent. Conclusion. The relevance of the issue of infectious disease incidence among medical students necessitates further investigation and analysis to identify contributing factors, develop monitoring methods, and promote healthy lifestyles to maintain optimal health status.

Onset time, duration of action, and intubating conditions after mivacurium in elderly and younger patients.

The neuromuscular blocking agent mivacurium can be used during anesthesia to facilitate tracheal intubation. Data on onset time, duration of action, and effect on intubating conditions in patients 80 years and older are however limited. We hypothesized that onset time and duration of action of mivacurium would be longer in elderly patients than in younger adults. This prospective observational study included 35 elderly (≥80 years) and 35 younger (18-40 years) patients. Induction of anesthesia comprised fentanyl 1-3 μg kg-1 and propofol 1.5-2.5 mg kg-1 and propofol and remifentanil for maintenance. Acceleromyography was used for monitoring neuromuscular blockade. The primary outcome was onset time defined as time from injection of mivacurium 0.2 mg kg-1 to a train-of-four (TOF) count of zero. Other outcomes included duration of action (time to TOF ratio ≥0.9), intubating conditions using the Fuchs-Buder scale and the intubating difficulty scale (IDS), and occurrence of hoarseness and sore throat postoperatively. No difference was found in onset time comparing elderly with younger patients; 219 s (SD 45) versus 203 s (SD 74) (difference: 16 s (95% CI: -45 to 14), p = .30). Duration of action was significantly longer in elderly patients compared with younger patients; 52 min (SD 17) versus 30 min (SD 8) (difference: 22 min [95% CI: 15 to 28], p < .001). No difference was found in the proportion of excellent intubating conditions (Fuchs-Buder); 31/35 (89%) versus 26/35 (74%) (p = .12) or IDS score (p = .13). A larger proportion of younger patients reported sore throat 24 h postoperatively; 34% versus 0%, p = .0002. No difference was found in hoarseness. No difference in onset time of mivacurium 0.2 mg kg-1 was found comparing elderly and younger patients. However, elderly patients had significantly longer duration of action. No difference was found in intubating conditions.

Effects of preoperative inhaled budesonide combined with intravenous dexamethasone on postoperative sore throat in patients who underwent thyroidectomy: A randomized controlled trial.

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative inhaled budesonide combined with intravenous dexamethasone on postoperative sore throat (POST) after general anesthesia in patients who underwent thyroidectomy. Patients who underwent elective thyroidectomy were randomly divided into the intravenous dexamethasone group (group A) and budesonide inhalation combined with intravenous dexamethasone group (group B). All patients underwent general anesthesia. The incidence and severity of POST, hoarseness, and cough at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery were evaluated and compared between the 2 groups. There were 48 and 49 patients in groups A and B, respectively. The incidence of POST was significantly lower at 6, 12, and 24 hours in group B than that in group A (P < .05). In addition, group B had a significantly lower incidence of coughing at 24 hours (P = .047). Compared with group A, the severity of POST was significantly lower at 6 (P = .027), 12 (P = .004), and 24 (P = .005) hours at rest, and at 6 (P = .002), 12 (P = .038), and 24 (P = .015) hours during swallowing in group B. The incidence and severity of hoarseness were comparable at each time-point between the 2 groups (P > .05). Preoperative inhaled budesonide combined with intravenous dexamethasone reduced the incidence and severity of POST at 6, 12, and 24 hours after extubation compared with intravenous dexamethasone alone in patients who underwent thyroidectomy. Additionally, this combination decreased the incidence of postoperative coughing at 24 hours.