ASHM Releases Infectious Diseases Handbook 4th Edition

SYDNEY - Sept. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- What is arguably the most comprehensive and up-to-date clinical text in HIV, viral hepatitis and STI in Australia has just been released in its new fourth edition.

Launched at the Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference in Alice Springs on the 16^th September, HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STIs: A Guide for Primary Care Providers (4^th Edition) contains 240-pages of revised clinical information, including:

·    * A new section on Hepatitis B

·    * Updated treatments for Hepatitis C

·    * HIV Biomedical Prevention

Background
“The book was first developed in 2004 in response to a need for comprehensive and accurate information about these infectious diseases,” said Levinia Crooks, CEO of the Australasian Society of HIV Medicine (ASHM) who produces the book.

“It is widely used as a clinical resource in hospitals, medical centres, and specialist services around Australia, as well as a teaching text for training in several universities.”

The handbook was overseen by an expert reference group comprised of general practitioners, nurses, and specialists, including epidemiology, immunology, hepatology, and gastroenterology.  A survey revealed strong demand for this handbook to remain in hard copy format, as it is accessed widely in busy clinics in metropolitan centres as well as rural and remote regions across Australia.

Contents
The book contains key information for primary care providers about:

·         Epidemiology and transmission

·         Exposure and acute Infection

·         Management in primary care settings

·         Talking with patients about testing and making risk assessments

·         Professional issues

·         Laws as they apply to each state and territory

Endorsement

The book is the result of months of consultation and review by some of Australia’s foremost experts.

It was funded by the Australian Government, Department of Health and has been endorsed by:

·      * Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine  (ACRRM)

·      * Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO)

·     * Australasian Hepatology Association (AHA)

·     * Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA)

·     * Australasian Liver Association (ALA)

·    *  Australasian Sexual Health Alliance (ASHA)

·    *  Australasian Sexual Health and HIV Nurses Association (ASHHNA)

·    *  Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID)

·   *  Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA)

·   * National Association of People With HIV Australia (NAPWHA)

AvAvailability

The book is available free of charge and orders can be made at www.ashm.org.au/publications

A searchable PDF can also be downloaded.