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Pneumonia
Outpatient Are there risk factors for MRSA or pseudomonas (e.g. had MRSA or pseudomonas previously or was recently hospitalized and received IV antibiotics in the last 90 days)? Are there comorbidities e.g. chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism or asplenia? No: Amoxicillin 1 g tid OR Doxycycline 100 mg bid OR a macrolide if local pneumococcal resistance is < 25%. Macrolide options include: Azithromycin 500 mg on day 1 then 250 mg daily OR Clarithromycin ER 1g daily OR Clarithromycin 500 mg bid. Note that the strongest recommendation is for amoxicillin, followed by a conditional recommendation for doxycycline (there is limited data for oral doxycycline use…
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Rubella
Rubella, also known as the German measles, is a viral infection characterized by an erythematous maculopapular or morbilliform rash that typically begins on the face and head and generalizes over 24 hours i.e. it spreads downwards towards the trunk and limbs. It is often called the 3 day measles because the rash lasts about 3 days. The rash may be itchy and is accompanied by a low fever and enlargement of lymph nodes in the post-auricular, sub-occipital, and posterior cervical regions (behind the ears, head, and neck). In children, the rash is often the first sign, whereas in adults, the lymphadenopathy and other non-specific symptoms (headache, malaise, cough, conjunctivitis) may…