September 7, 2021
When a pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) guideline went into effect earlier this year, it got little use. That was fine by the team that developed it, led by pediatric pharmacist Bill Wilson and pediatrician Zach Willis, both with the Carolina Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. It meant that very few children needed to be hospitalized for pneumonia. …
March 30, 2021
An estimated 10% of the US population reports having an allergic reaction to a penicillin-class antibiotic. However, when evaluated, fewer than 1% are truly allergic. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are a common alternative to penicillins and are associated with more side effects, higher healthcare costs, and antimicrobial resistance. When a patient’s allergy is removed from their medical …
March 10, 2021
For the past several years, pediatric pharmacist Bill Wilson, PharmD, of UNC Children’s Hospital has worked to ensure that children sick with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) get the best available treatment. Pneumonia is a top cause of child deaths globally, and, in the US, the majority of children hospitalized for it are under five years of …
February 18, 2021
One in ten Americans believes they are allergic to penicillin. However, when assessed, the vast majority of these may not be allergic at all and can safely use penicillin antibiotics—which includes penicillin, amoxicillin, Augmentin, ampicillin, and Zosyn, among others–to treat some infections. There are two main reasons for this. First, some childhood rashes – not …
