UMEM Educational Pearls - Infectious Disease

Title: Tuberculosis Screening

Keywords: TB, PPD, Conversion (PubMed Search)

Posted: 7/12/2007 by Michael Bond, MD (Updated: 3/18/2026)
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PPD is considered positive: >= 15 mm Induration: Anybody >= 10 mm induration: Born in a high-revalence country, are in a medically underserved population ( e.g.:Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans), individuals with a medical condition that increases risk of TB (e.g.; silicosis, gastrectomy, chronic renal failure, immunosuppressant therapy, malignancy, IV drug abusers, and those that work in the medical field. >=5mm induration: HIV or suspected HIV-positive, close contacts of newly diagnosed TB Cases (everybody on the plane), and abnormal CXR with fibrotic changes suggesting old TB MMWR September 08, 1995/ 44(RR-11);18-34

Title: Avian Influenza H7N9

Category: Infectious Disease

Posted: 4/12/2013 by Andrea Tenner, MD (Updated: 3/18/2026)
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General Information:

-As of April 5^th, 14 confirmed cases of a new influenza A virus (H7N9) have occurred in China. Six of those have died.

-Presumed transmission via infected poultry in bird markets, and thus far no person-to-person transmission has occurred.

-Likely susceptible to oseltamavir or inhaled zanamivir

Area of the world affected:

-China

Relevance to the US physician:

- Suspect in patients with a respiratory illness and appropriate travel history.

- Refer to CDC within 24 hours if test positive for flu A but cannot be subtyped

- If H7N9 is suspected, patients should be under droplet and airborne precautions

Bottom Line:

No human-to-human transmission from H7N9 thus far, but the possibility exists. Any unsubtypeable influenza A patient should be placed on droplet and airborne precautions and oseltamavir or zanamivir started immediately.

University of Maryland Section of Global Emergency Health
Author: Andi Tenner, MD, MPH

UMEM Educational Pearls - Infectious Disease

Title: Tuberculosis Screening

Title: Avian Influenza H7N9

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