The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a CDC Health Advisory about early, elevated respiratory disease incidence caused by multiple viruses and occurring especially among children. This early increase in disease incidence highlights the importance of optimizing respiratory virus prevention and treatment measures. The full advisory is available here. Additionally, on November 3, 2022, Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law Senate Bill 317 known as the Expedited Partner Therapy Act (EPT) (Act 147 of 2022). The EPT Act takes effect on February 3, 2023. EPT is a therapeutic option that research studies have shown to be effective in reducing chlamydia and gonorrhea reinfection rates. To read the full advisory including prescribing instructions and liability issues, click here. Lastly, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of widely used, man-made chemicals that bioaccumulate in humans and animals, are persistent in the environment, and can influence health outcomes. People can be exposed to PFAS via products such as nonstick cookware, processed food packaging, certain cosmetics, and soaps, and via contaminated drinking water when chemicals migrate into the water supply (public or well water). To read the full update, click here.
