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Category: Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology

  • Penicillin Allergy Assessments Expand to Inpatient Areas

    Imagine: You have a patient with a penicillin allergy documented in their chart. Typically, you would prescribe amoxicillin for their infection, but that is not an option because it is a penicillin-class antibiotic. Instead, you prescribe a broader-spectrum antibiotic–not your first choice except for the allergy. But, what if you learned that it is not a true allergy? Less than o … Continued

  • leigh-callahan

    The OA Action Alliance, Arthritis Foundation, and CDC Release ‘Action Briefs’ Focused on Osteoarthritis

    Newly released Action Briefs now make it easier for employers, insurers, healthcare systems, policy makers, and leaders in other organizations to take specific, practical actions to support their constituents with osteoarthritis. The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA), partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Arthritis Foundation, issued A N … Continued

  • leigh-callahan

    The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance Receives 5 Years of CDC Funding to Advance National Osteoarthritis Public Health Initiatives

    Thanks to additional support from the CDC, the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance is actively addressing the devastating impact of osteoarthritis on adults and communities through strategic leveraging of partnerships, collaborations, and the resources of its 140+ member organizations. “This is a crucial time, because osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability and work limit … Continued

  • Nicole-Orzechowski-Shruti Chandramouli

    Arthritis, Allergy and Lupus Awareness in May

    Arthritis Awareness Month – Osteoarthritis Studies May is Arthritis Awareness Month. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, and researchers at the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center are nationally and internationally recognized for their work in basic, translational, and clinical OA research. The UNC Core Center for Clinical Research, or CCCR, provides a va … Continued

  • edwin-kim

    Being a Food Allergy Dad Makes Him a Better Allergy Doctor

    Edwin Kim, MD, shares his experience and expertise on food allergies in the podcast “Being a Food Allergy Dad Makes Him a Better Food Allergy Doctor.” Kim is the associate professor of medicine and pediatrics, and division chief of pediatric allergy. The podcast offers a wealth of information about food allergy testing and diagnostics. Kim’s discusses how his patients and researc … Continued

  • Medscape Survey Suggests 50% of Rheumatologists Experience Burnout

    The Rheumatologist reports on a new Medscape survey that found rheumatology has the second-highest burnout level among the 29 specialties included, with 50% of the rheuma­tology respondents saying they’re experiencing “burnout.” “I was quite surprised by this,” said Beth Jonas, MD, the Reeves Foundation Distinguished Professor of Medicine and chief of the division of rheumatology … Continued

  • leigh-callahan

    Callahan Appointed to NIAMS Advisory Council for Three-Year Term

    Leigh Callahan, PhD, has a long history of serving in multiple leadership and advisory positions with the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Skin Diseases (NIAMS) for the past 30 years. Some of these roles have included serving on the National Research Plan development, the National Arthritis Data Workgroup, and numerous Special Emphasis Grant Review panels. Call … Continued

  • Sofija Volertas

    You Can Work Out Before Your COVID Vaccine, But It Won’t Necessarily Boost Immune Response

    Sofija Volertas, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology, was interviewed for a Pop Sugar article about working out before getting a vaccine. Volertas recognized that allergists don’t have a definitive answer for someone being 100 percent clear to work out pre-vaccine. But aside from the COVID-19 vaccine, there are some instance … Continued

  • Dr. Saira Sheikh

    Sheikh Offers Tips For People With Allergies During Pollen Season

    A Charlotte Observer report on the spring pollen haze over North Carolina recognizes that  many people suffer from itchy eyes and a runny nose when going outside.  Saira Sheikh, MD, associate professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology offered tips for avoiding the worst impacts of the annual event. “Pick a time of the day when the pollen counts … Continued

  • Sofija Volertas

    Volertas Offers Allergy Treatment Tips As Pollen Count Soars

    An ABC-11 news report with data from the North Carolina Division of Air Quality, shows pine and oak trees are a few of the culprits making people uncomfortable. Pollen season is also getting longer and worse, one study found. Sofija Volertas, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology, explained treatment and tips for preventing al … Continued

  • Penicillin Allergy Assessment Tool Kit Released to Improve Antibiotic Stewardship

    A tool kit developed by Mildred Kwan, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology, and Renae Boerneke, PharmD, will educate patients and train healthcare providers to proactively assess penicillin allergies. Delabeling patients who are not truly allergic to penicillins is an important stewardship tool that decreases unnecessary … Continued

  • onyi-iweala

    COVID or Allergies?

    As the pollen count rises in North Carolina, some allergy symptoms have people questioning if they are experiencing COVID-19.  Onyinye Iweala, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology, explained how people can decipher beween the two, in an ABC-11 news report. “There is some confusion now that environmental allergy season is picking up, … Continued