Navigating uncertainty: managing respiratory tract infections

With winter upon us, it is timely to reflect on antibiotic prescribing...

Emerging issues in the management of chlamydia and gonorrhoea

New evidence suggests that a seven-day course of doxycycline...

Mycoplasma genitalium: considerations for testing and treatment in primary care

Mycoplasma genitalium infection is a potential cause of urethritis...

Syphilis rates continue to rise

New Zealand is in the midst of a syphilis epidemic. Men who...

Hepatitis C management in primary care has changed

A new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) oral regimen for the treatment...

Testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients at high risk of infection

Hepatitis C infection occurs through exposure to infected blood...

Pre-treatment assessment for patients with chronic HCV infection

Patients should be assessed for cirrhosis via clinical examination,...

Management and follow-up of patients prescribed glecaprevir + pibrentasvir

Glecaprevir + pibrentasvir is taken once daily for eight weeks....

Hepatitis C is now curable:
contributed by Dr Tony Farrell

Dr Tony Farrell is a general practitioner in Mount Maunganui...

Hepatitis B: treatments now available for primary care

Tenofovir disoproxil and entecavir are once daily oral antiviral...

Topical antibiotics: keep reducing use

Encouraging progress has been made by prescribers in New Zealand...

Cold season: managing without antibiotics

For the majority of people with upper respiratory tract infections...

Antibiotics: the future is short

In general, the recommended durations of antibiotic treatment...

News item: Discussion on Zostavax

Since publication of our article on Zostavax vaccine in March,...

Seasonal influenza vaccination: update for 2018

Two subsidised seasonal influenza vaccines, Influvac Tetra (for...

Zostavax vaccine: now fully subsidised

Zostavax is a herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine that will become...

Antibiotics: choices for common infections

The following information is a consensus guide. It is intended...

The bpac^nz antibiotic guide: 2017 edition

The 2017 edition of the bpacnz antibiotics guide; "Antibiotics:...

Topical antibiotics for skin infections: should they be prescribed at all?

Clinical indications for the use of topical antibiotics are continuing...

Topical antibiotics for skin infections: when are they appropriate?

In the community, many patients have skin and soft tissue infections...

Treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) has changed

Three new oral medicine regimens for the treatment of hepatitis...

Rosacea: seeing red in primary care

Rosacea is an inflammatory facial skin disease that can cause...

Responsible use of antibiotics in general practice

Cellulitis: skin deep and spreading across New Zealand

Travel consultation essentials: for departures and arrivals

Travel consultation essentials: for departures and arrivals

Travel consultations involve assessing the risks that may occur...

An update on the use of nitrofurantoin in patients with renal impairment

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)...

The New Zealand Laboratory Schedule and Test Guidelines: Immunology Tests

Over the last few editions of Best Tests we have outlined the...

Debate: Do you prescribe antibiotics for respiratory tract infections? An everyday conundrum in general practice

Appropriate prescribing of antibiotics for patients with respiratory...

Delayed antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract infections: does the strategy work?

Delayed antibiotic prescribing, also known as a “back pocket...

Should I prescribe a topical antiseptic cream instead of a topical antibiotic for minor skin infections?

Increasing rates of resistance to topical antibiotics continues...

Is point-of-care CRP testing useful in guiding antibiotic prescribing in patients with respiratory tract infections?

Point-of-care CRP testing may help primary care clinicians to...

The role of prophylactic antibiotics for preventing infective endocarditis in people undergoing dental or other minor procedures

Infective endocarditis is a relatively rare infection of the...

Cellulitis: skin deep and spreading across New Zealand

Adults and children with uncomplicated cellulitis can usually...

The Year in Review - What did we learn in 2014?

In 2014 we published over 60 medical education articles in Best...

Tinea pedis: not just the curse of the athlete

Tinea pedis is a common fungal foot infection that is often...

Plantar warts: a persistently perplexing problem

Plantar warts, also known as plantar verrucae, are manifestations...

Exposure to body fluids: keeping the primary healthcare team safe

Providing a safe working environment involves both minimising...

Topical antibiotics: very few indications for use

Topical antibiotics in general have been excessively used in...

Vulvovaginal health in post-menopausal women

Age-related changes in women can result in an increased occurrence...

Measles: what to be aware of during an outbreak

The current measles outbreak in New Zealand highlights the importance...

Rising antimicrobial resistance

Associate Professor Mark Thomas from the University of Auckland,...

News Updates

Reminder: Most broad-spectrum antibiotics do not interact with...

The New Zealand Laboratory Schedule and Test Guidelines: Microbiological and Serological Tests

In October, 2013, the New Zealand Laboratory Test Schedule was...

Rural infections series: Rural round up

In the final instalment of the rural series we present a round-up...

The changing face of Helicobacter pylori testing

There is ongoing debate in the literature about which is the...

Pertussis immunisation in pregnancy

New Zealand is slowly emerging from its most recent outbreak...

Upfront: Azithromycin: use it wisely

Growing use of azithromycin in New Zealand means that we are...

Seasonal influenza vaccination: 2014 update

The vaccine for the 2014 influenza season is now available....

Meningococcal disease: Always consider in a patient with flu-like illness

Patients with meningococcal disease can initially present with...

The diagnosis and management of herpes zoster and its complications

Herpes zoster (shingles) is a self-limiting condition caused...

The year that was: Key messages from Best Practice Journal 2013

2013 began with publication of the 50th issue of Best Practice...

Rural infections series: Investigating and managing people with diarrhoea

Campylobacter, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and Giardia cause...

Rural infections series: Leptospirosis

This article is the first in a series addressing the diagnosis...

Appropriate use of amoxicillin clavulanate

Amoxicillin clavulanate is a broad spectrum antibiotic which...

Causes, complications and treatment of a red eye

Most cases of “red eye” seen in general practice are likely...

Upfront: Antimicrobial Resistance in New Zealand: What is my role in primary care?

This month marks the launch of our 2013 revised edition of “Antibiotic...

Antibiotics Guide

Tip: Bookmark this page or add to your home screen on your smartphone...

Upfront: Is the cupboard bare? The threat of antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats to health...

Microbiological assessment of infected wounds: when to take a swab and how to interpret the results

Identifying and managing infection in wounds is an important...

Interpreting urine dipstick tests in adults: a reference guide for primary care

A urine dipstick positive for haematuria or proteinuria is a...

A “how-to guide” for a sexual health check-up

Good sexual health is about achieving both physical and psychological...

Cold season in primary care

A newer article is available on this subject: Cold season: managing...

Managing acne in primary care

Acne is a common dermatological condition that affects most...

The 2013 influenza season: new strains, new vaccines

The dominant influenza virus to circulate in New Zealand this...

Pertussis: halting the epidemic by protecting infants

Infants who have not yet completed the National Immunisation...

Norovirus: Sydney 2012

In late 2012, there was a global increase in norovirus notifications,...

Appropriate use of sulfonamides

What are sulfonamides and how do they work? | Prescribing co-trimoxazole...

News and updates: Update on azithromycin

Update on azithromycin: new prescriber information and ava...

Laboratory investigation of infectious diarrhoea

This report discussus how testing behaviour in New Zealand has...

Appropriate use of tetracyclines

What are tetracyclines and how do they work? | Which infections...

Sick and tired of being tired and sick: laboratory investigation of glandular fever

Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) is a common, potentially...

Bronchiolitis in infants

Bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory tract infection...

Bronchiectasis: rates still increasing among Pacific peoples

Bronchiectasis is a lung disease characterised by irreversible...

Otitis media: a common childhood illness

It has been suggested that otitis media is an unavoidable illness...

Managing skin infections in Māori and Pacific families

Compared to other developed countries, New Zealand has one of...

Pertussis: an avoidable epidemic

This article is out of date. Please see: Pertussis: halting...

The management of community acquired pneumonia

Pneumonia is a significant cause of hospitalisation and mortality...

Syphilis: testing for “the great imitator”

Over one hundred people per year in New Zealand are diagnosed...

Managing urinary tract infections in children

Although relatively uncommon in children, urinary tract infection...

The appropriate use of macrolides

Macrolides are a class of antibiotic that includes erythromycin,...

Appropriate use of metronidazole

How does metronidazole work? | Which infections should metronidazole...

Seasonal influenza vaccinations: the 2012 edition

The 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine contains the same strains...

Looking back, looking forward: key messages 2005 – 2011

This report highlights four key prescribing and laboratory testing...

Providing medical advice to travellers

New Zealanders love to travel. It is important that travellers...

Vulvovaginal health in premenopausal women

Symptoms relating to the vulvovaginal area such as abnormal...

Appropriate use of amoxicillin clavulanate

Amoxicillin clavulanate is an important and effective medicine...

Rheumatic fever in Māori: what can we do better?

In New Zealand, acute rheumatic fever is now almost exclusively...

News in brief: Dabigatran; Antibiotics and COC; Prescription kitchen

Dabigatran to be listed | Most broad spectrum antibiotics do...

Norfloxacin Prescribing Update

Looks at Norfloxacin prescribing for urinary tract infecti...

Pneumococcal vaccine for adults: Pneumovax23

Invasive pneumococcal disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae...

Managing urinary tract infections in pregnancy

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur commonly during pregnancy....

Quinolone antibiotics - limit use

Quinolones are associated with increasing antimicrobial resistance....

Seasonal influenza vaccination: changes for 2011

The seasonal influenza vaccine for 2011 protects against the...

Should I still use both CRP and ESR when investigating temporal arteritis?

CRP alone is the best test for temporal arteritis. This...

Collecting specimens for the investigation of fungal infections

Fungal infections of the skin, nails and hair are caused by...

Upfront: Antimicrobial resistance - the way forward

In this final article in the series on antimicrobial resistance,...

Antimicrobial resistance: where are we now?

This article reviews the data currently available, which enables...

Close contact infectious diseases: an increasing concern for Pacific peoples

Pacific peoples have poorer health status than other New Zealanders,...

Rheumatic fever - the neglected disease

New Zealand continues to have high rates of rheumatic fever,...

The burden of bronchiectasis in Pacific peoples

In most developed countries the incidence of bronchiectasis...

Skin infections in Pacific peoples

Serious skin infections such as cellulitis, abscesses and impetigo...

ANTIMICROBIALS how should they be used in primary care?

Ideally antibiotics should be reserved for the treatment of...

Upfront: Resistance to antimicrobials - an increasing problem in our community

The threat of multiple drug resistant organisms in New Zealand....

Do cough and cold medicines work in children?

The short answer is no. There is little evidence that cough...

Cough in children

Children who cough are frequently seen in general practice....

Identifying the risk of serious illness in children with fever

A “traffic light” approach to assessing the risk...

Quinolone prescribing

Data report on quinolone prescribing, national data only.

Testing for enteric pathogens: Follow up report

This web version is a sample only, all data below the national...

Investigating the Gut: Helicobacter pylori

The choice of test for initial testing for H. pylori, is determined...

Assessment and management of infectious gastroenteritis

Every year around 200,000 New Zealanders acquire a food associated...

Non-occupational exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Rates of HIV infection are increasing in New Zealand, especially...

Report: CRP ESR & Thyroid function testing

Sample data report on laboratory testing of CRP, ESR, TSH and...

Hepatitis

A guide focusing on some of the situations GPs face in day-to-day...

Fluoroquinolone-associated tendon disorders

The use of oral fluoroquinolones is associated with increased...

Diagnosing and managing influenza

In healthy people influenza is usually self-limiting and uncomplicated...

How to treat acne

Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at...

Bronchiolitis update

Bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory tract infection...

Influenza vaccine

Influenza is a highly infectious acute respiratory disease....

Treatment of sexually transmitted and other genital infections

A summary of pharmacological treatment and management of common...

STI Handbook

A collection of articles from the STI campaign

Sexually transmitted infections - what testing is needed and when?

This article provides an overview of some infections affecting...

Testing for STIs - four case scenarios

A series of four case studies that illustrate the importance...

Management of impetigo

Impetigo is a highly contagious, bacterial infection of the...

Management of fungal nail infections

Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) accounts for around 50%...

Scabies - diagnosis and management

Scabies manifests as an itchy skin rash, as a result of an allergic...

Sexually transmitted infections in New Zealand

Chlamydia remains the most commonly diagnosed STI in New Zealand,...

Mastitis and sore nipples while breastfeeding

The management of two conditions that commonly, but unnecessarily,...

Acute monoarthritis: differentiating between crystals sepsis and trauma

Acute monoarthritis is characterised by pain and swelling of...

Why we still need to think of rheumatic fever

Māori living in the upper North Island have one of the...

Making sense of testing for enteric pathogens

Reminder of the key points to consider when requesting faecal...

Snippets: NSAIDs dextropropoxyphene and antibiotic resistance

Drug information of topical interest

Laboratory Investigation of Infectious Diarrhoea

Dear Dave

Does the "seven day rule" still apply with the concomitant...

Upfront: The Augmentin-free office

Practical advice on reducing the use of augmentin

Remembering respiratory infections

Revisits the main points of our respiratory infections campaign...

Upfront: Infectious disease patterns a major concern

An Interview with Professor Diana Lennon on infectious disease...

Winter Ills

Bronchiolitis | Cough in children | Fever in children | Acute...

CRP vs ESR: Reminder

A summary of the key messages from this campaign and changes...

Syphilis

Resurgence of syphilis in NZ? Syphilis had been considered a...

UTI best tests

Laboratory investigations of UTI tests plus:
• Fasting vs Post...

Rational use of Antibiotics in Respiratory Tract Infections

This resource outlines the principles of rational antibiotic...

Laboratory investigation of UTI

This resource focuses on the diagnosis of infection in the urinary...

UTIs: Laboratory investigations

This resource focuses on the diagnosis of infection in the urinary...

Best Tests: CRP vs ESR

CRP vs ESR Plus:
• Drug tests for drink spiking
• Cervical smear...

CRP vs ESR Assessing and measuring the inflammatory response

Discussion of the use of CRP and ESR as tests of the inflammatory...

Appropriate use of cephalosporins

There are very few indications for the use of cephalosporins...