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Interactive quizzes are based on material found in Best Practice Journal and Best Tests. Initially, quizzes are posted out with journals and GPs are invited to submit their answers for CME credits.
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The Influenza Immunisation Programme has begun for the 2024 season. Influvac® Tetra is the sole funded influenza vaccine for... View Article
Over-the-counter cough medicines, although widely used, are not particularly effective at reducing the severity or duration of... View Article
Prostatitis is the collective term for four distinct clinical conditions. Primary care clinicians are likely to be most familiar... View Article
Diverticulitis occurs when small pockets in the wall of the large bowel become inflamed, usually without a specific identifiable... View Article
Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer due to long-term inflammation and... View Article
Scabies is a highly contagious skin infestation that can often rapidly spread through households before it is detected. The characteristic... View Article
Acute otitis media is the most common reason why children in primary care are prescribed antibiotics, despite guidance recommending... View Article
Lower urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common community-acquired infections, with more than half of all females... View Article
Measles, mumps and rubella are vaccine-preventable causes of significant morbidity and mortality (particularly for measles), that... View Article
Impetigo is a highly contagious, bacterial infection of the skin, most commonly seen in children. It is typically diagnosed clinically,... View Article
Quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin) are associated with increasing antimicrobial resistance and rare, but potentially... View Article
This year’s influenza immunisation programme has the earlier start date of 18th March, 2020, for people eligible for funded vaccines.... View Article
With winter upon us, it is timely to reflect on antibiotic prescribing practices for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and associated... View Article
New evidence suggests that a seven-day course of doxycycline may be more appropriate than a stat dose of azithromycin as a first-line... View Article
Mycoplasma genitalium infection is a potential cause of urethritis in males and cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in... View Article
New Zealand is in the midst of a syphilis epidemic. Men who have sex with men are at the greatest risk, however, cases among heterosexual... View Article
A new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) oral regimen for the treatment of hepatitis C, glecaprevir + pibrentasvir (Maviret) will be... View Article
Hepatitis C infection occurs through exposure to infected blood or body fluids. The majority of newly acquired infections in New... View Article
Patients should be assessed for cirrhosis via clinical examination, laboratory tests and an APRI score (or liver elastography... View Article
Glecaprevir + pibrentasvir is taken once daily for eight weeks. Headache and fatigue are the most likely adverse effects. HCV... View Article
Dr Tony Farrell is a general practitioner in Mount Maunganui and has a Fellowship in Addiction Medicine. He has a special interest... View Article
Tenofovir disoproxil and entecavir are once daily oral antiviral medicines, recommended as first-line treatments for patients... View Article
Encouraging progress has been made by prescribers in New Zealand in reducing the use of topical antibiotics such as fusidic acid;... View Article
For the majority of people with upper respiratory tract infections symptomatic treatment will offer better outcomes than antibiotics,... View Article
In general, the recommended durations of antibiotic treatment regimens are decreasing as evidence for the safety and efficacy... View Article
Since publication of our article on Zostavax vaccine in March, 2018, we have received feedback from several readers seeking clarification... View Article
Two subsidised seasonal influenza vaccines, Influvac Tetra (for adults and children aged three years and over) and Fluarix Tetra... View Article
Zostavax is a herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine that will become fully subsidised from 1 April, 2018 for people aged 65 years.... View Article
The 2017 edition of the bpacnz antibiotics guide; "Antibiotics: choices for common infections", is now available online. There... View Article
The following information is a consensus guide. It is intended to aid selection of an appropriate antibiotic for typical patients... View Article
Clinical indications for the use of topical antibiotics are continuing to narrow, driven by increasing resistance rates in New... View Article
In the community, many patients have skin and soft tissue infections that are relatively minor, e.g. scrapes and scratches or... View Article
Three new oral medicine regimens for the treatment of hepatitis C, known as directly acting antivirals (DAAs), are fully subsidised... View Article
Rosacea is an inflammatory facial skin disease that can cause patients embarrassment and reduce their quality of life. There are... View Article
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Travel consultations involve assessing the risks that may occur during a journey and helping the traveller minimise them. This... View Article
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom (UK) have updated their guidance to allow... View Article
Over the last few editions of Best Tests we have outlined the various sections of the New Zealand Laboratory Schedule. The aim... View Article
Infective endocarditis is a relatively rare infection of the inner layer of the heart’s valves and chambers. Approximately one-third... View Article
Increasing rates of resistance to topical antibiotics continues to change the use of these medicines in primary care. Topical... View Article
Adults and children with uncomplicated cellulitis can usually be managed in the community if they are clinically stable. Oral... View Article
Appropriate prescribing of antibiotics for patients with respiratory tract infections (RTI) is a key component of improving antimicrobial... View Article
Delayed antibiotic prescribing, also known as a “back pocket prescription”, is a strategy of providing a patient with a prescription... View Article
Point-of-care CRP testing may help primary care clinicians to identify with more certainty which patients with features of respiratory... View Article
In 2014 we published over 60 medical education articles in Best Practice Journal, spanning more than 450 pages. Context is crucial... View Article
Tinea pedis is a common fungal foot infection that is often associated with high rates of treatment failure or recurrence. This... View Article
Plantar warts, also known as plantar verrucae, are manifestations of infection with human papillomavirus. They can be painful... View Article
Providing a safe working environment involves both minimising the risk of transmission of infectious pathogens and dealing with... View Article
Topical antibiotics in general have been excessively used in New Zealand in recent years. The increasing prevalence of resistance... View Article
Age-related changes in women can result in an increased occurrence of vulvovaginal dermatological conditions such as vulval dermatitis... View Article
The current measles outbreak in New Zealand highlights the importance of maintaining high measles mumps and rubella (MMR) immunisation... View Article
Reminder: Most broad-spectrum antibiotics do not interact with combined oral contraceptives | Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir... View Article
Associate Professor Mark Thomas from the University of Auckland, in conjunction with Dr Alesha Smith and Professor Murray Tilyard... View Article
In the final instalment of the rural series we present a round-up of infections that may be seen in patients living in, working... View Article
In October, 2013, the New Zealand Laboratory Test Schedule was published to provide consistent guidance and ensure uniform availability... View Article
A more recent article has been published on this topic: click here There is ongoing debate in the literature about which is... View Article
Growing use of azithromycin in New Zealand means that we are in danger of increasing bacterial resistance to macrolide antibiotics,... View Article
New Zealand is slowly emerging from its most recent outbreak of pertussis. The highest-risk period for pertussis in infants is... View Article
The vaccine for the 2014 influenza season is now available. This year, the vaccine has been updated with two new strains, as well... View Article
Herpes zoster (shingles) is a self-limiting condition caused by reactivation of the Varicella zoster virus. Shingles most frequently... View Article
Patients with meningococcal disease can initially present with non-specific influenza-like symptoms. More specific signs and symptoms... View Article
2013 began with publication of the 50th issue of Best Practice Journal. In this edition we focused on the topic at the heart of... View Article
Campylobacter, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and Giardia cause diarrhoeal illnesses in thousands of people annually in New Zealand.... View Article
This article is the first in a series addressing the diagnosis and management of infections that predominantly occur in people... View Article
Amoxicillin clavulanate is a broad spectrum antibiotic which is used frequently in New Zealand general practice. The proportion... View Article
Most cases of “red eye” seen in general practice are likely to be conjunctivitis or a superficial corneal injury, however, red... View Article
This month marks the launch of our 2013 revised edition of “Antibiotic choices for common infections”. The guidance supports the... View Article
Tip: Bookmark this page or add to your home screen on your smartphone for your mobile pocket handbook View Article
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats to health that we have faced in recent history. As the rate of resistance... View Article
Identifying and managing infection in wounds is an important aspect of primary care practice. However, many issues relating to... View Article
A urine dipstick positive for haematuria or proteinuria is a relatively common occurrence in primary care. For many patients there... View Article
Good sexual health is about achieving both physical and psychological wellbeing, free from disease, coercion or abuse. Reaching... View Article
A newer article is available on this subject: Cold season: managing without antibiotics Every year New Zealanders spend significant... View Article
Acne is a common dermatological condition that affects most people at some stage in their life. Because acne is regarded as “normal”... View Article
The dominant influenza virus to circulate in New Zealand this “flu season” is likely to be an A(H3N2) virus, similar to the virus... View Article
In late 2012, there was a global increase in norovirus notifications, due to the spread of a novel norovirus, referred to as Sydney... View Article
Infants who have not yet completed the National Immunisation Schedule and children who are not immunised, or only partially immunised,... View Article
What are sulfonamides and how do they work? | Prescribing co-trimoxazole | Adverse effects of co-trimoxazole | Medicine interactions... View Article
This article has been archived. If you would like access to the original article please contact: editor@bpac.org.nz View Article
This report discussus how testing behaviour in New Zealand has changed over the past five years and includes feedback on the testing... View Article
What are tetracyclines and how do they work? | Which infections should tetracyclines be used for? | First-line indications for... View Article
Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) is a common, potentially debilitating illness that is most frequently seen in adolescents... View Article
Bronchiectasis is a lung disease characterised by irreversible bronchial dilation and chronic inflammation, resulting in chronic... View Article
Bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory tract infection in infants, and between 2006 and 2010 accounted for almost... View Article
This article has been replaced with an updated version. View new article View Article
Compared to other developed countries, New Zealand has one of the highest rates of serious skin infections, particularly among... View Article
This article is out of date. Please see: Pertussis: halting the epidemic by protecting infants for updated information New... View Article
Pneumonia is a significant cause of hospitalisation and mortality among both children and adults in New Zealand. Māori and... View Article
Over one hundred people per year in New Zealand are diagnosed with syphilis. While this only represents a small number of patients,... View Article
Macrolides are a class of antibiotic that includes erythromycin, roxithromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin. First-line indications... View Article
Although relatively uncommon in children, urinary tract infection (UTI) should be considered when assessing a young child with... View Article
How does metronidazole work? | Which infections should metronidazole be used for? | First line indications for metronidazole... View Article
The 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine contains the same strains as in previous years, however, annual vaccination is still necessary.... View Article
This report highlights four key prescribing and laboratory testing recommendations covered over the past five years. Over this... View Article
New Zealanders love to travel. It is important that travellers visit their general practice (or travel medicine clinic) at least... View Article
Symptoms relating to the vulvovaginal area such as abnormal discharge, itch and pain are common, particularly for women of reproductive... View Article
Amoxicillin clavulanate is an important and effective medicine but its use must be reserved for specific indications in order... View Article
In New Zealand, acute rheumatic fever is now almost exclusively a disease affecting Māori and Pacific peoples. The majority of... View Article
Dabigatran to be listed | Most broad spectrum antibiotics do not affect the combined oral contraceptive | Prescription kitchen View Article
Looks at Norfloxacin prescribing for urinary tract infections. View Article
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur commonly during pregnancy. UTIs are managed more aggressively in pregnant women than in... View Article
Invasive pneumococcal disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae can result in life-threatening pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia.... View Article
Quinolones are associated with increasing antimicrobial resistance. Their use needs to be reserved for specific indications involving... View Article
The seasonal influenza vaccine for 2011 protects against the same virus strains as in 2010. However, people who were vaccinated... View Article
CRP alone is the best test for temporal arteritis. This article is out of date. Please see updated information here: Giant... View Article
Fungal infections of the skin, nails and hair are caused by dermatophytes. In many cases, diagnosis of infection is made by clinical... View Article
In this final article in the series on antimicrobial resistance, we look at the way foward. Lessons learned from international... View Article
This article reviews the data currently available, which enables interventions to be targeted towards issues which are local and... View Article
Pacific peoples have poorer health status than other New Zealanders, including higher rates of infectious diseases. View Article
In most developed countries the incidence of bronchiectasis has declined over the years. View Article
Serious skin infections such as cellulitis, abscesses and impetigo are an increasingly common reason for hospital admission in... View Article
New Zealand continues to have high rates of rheumatic fever, particularly among Pacific peoples. View Article
Ideally antibiotics should be reserved for the treatment of known bacterial infection but it is well recognised that they are... View Article
The threat of multiple drug resistant organisms in New Zealand. The first article in a series on antimicrobial resistance. View Article
Children who cough are frequently seen in general practice. The challenge is to determine what is “normal” cough from... View Article
The short answer is no. There is little evidence that cough and cold preparations have any clinically significant effect on reducing... View Article
A “traffic light” approach to assessing the risk of a serious illness in a child with fever. View Article
Data report on quinolone prescribing, national data only. View Article
This web version is a sample only, all data below the national level has been omitted. View Article
A more recent article has been published on this topic: click here The choice of test for initial testing for H. pylori, is... View Article
Rates of HIV infection are increasing in New Zealand, especially among men who have sex with other men. GPs are often the first... View Article
Every year around 200,000 New Zealanders acquire a food associated illness. Gastrointestinal diseases account for the majority... View Article
A guide focusing on some of the situations GPs face in day-to-day practice with practical advice for initial testing. View Article
The use of oral fluoroquinolones is associated with increased risk of tendinitis and tendon ruptures. View Article
In healthy people influenza is usually self-limiting and uncomplicated however for some groups of people it can be a significant... View Article
Bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory tract infection seen in infants aged less than one year. The bronchiolitis... View Article
Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some stage in their life. The aims of acne treatment are to reduce... View Article
Influenza is a highly infectious acute respiratory disease. Influenza vaccination is the most effective protection. The vaccine... View Article
A summary of pharmacological treatment and management of common sexually transmitted and other genital infections including chlamydia,... View Article
A series of four case studies that illustrate the importance of patient history and background when testing for STIs. View Article
This article provides an overview of some infections affecting the genital area, including some non-sexually transmitted infections.... View Article
Chlamydia remains the most commonly diagnosed STI in New Zealand, according to the annual STI Surveillance Report. Although not... View Article
Scabies manifests as an itchy skin rash, as a result of an allergic reaction to the female scabies mite. Infection is easily spread... View Article
Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) accounts for around 50% of all nail disease. Laboratory diagnosis is recommended before... View Article
Impetigo is a highly contagious, bacterial infection of the skin, most commonly seen in children. It is typically diagnosed clinically... View Article
The management of two conditions that commonly, but unnecessarily, lead to discontinuation of breastfeeding are outlined. View Article
Acute monoarthritis is characterised by pain and swelling of a single joint. There are a number of causes, with crystals, trauma... View Article
Māori living in the upper North Island have one of the highest rates of acute rheumatic fever in the world. This disease... View Article
Drug information of topical interest View Article
Does the "seven day rule" still apply with the concomitant use of combined oral contraceptives and all antibiotics? Serotonin... View Article
Practical advice on reducing the use of augmentin View Article
Revisits the main points of our respiratory infections campaign with feedback on its impact and discusses the question ‘Is... View Article
Bronchiolitis | Cough in children | Fever in children | Acute gastroenteritis in children | Acute asthma in children aged 1-15... View Article
An Interview with Professor Diana Lennon on infectious disease patterns. View Article
Resurgence of syphilis in NZ? Syphilis had been considered a rarity in New Zealand, but over the last few years the ESR Annual... View Article
For up to date recommendations for antibiotic choice for UTI, refer to the Antibiotics Guide . This resource focuses on the... View Article
There are very few indications for the use of cephalosporins as first-line antibiotic treatment. Ceftriaxone is used for the treatment... View Article