This activity is part of the Frankly Speaking with Dr. Frank Domino podcast series.

Podcast

0.25 CME Credit

Spot On: Evolving Strategies for Chickenpox Diagnosis - Frankly Speaking Ep 390Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C
Music Credit: Richard Onorato

In 1995, the US launched a varicella vaccination program, leading to a significant drop in cases. However, breakthrough infections still occur, and clinical diagnosis has become less reliable as the virus has evolved. Join us to hear current recommendations for what to consider in the differential diagnosis and how emerging evidence may impact public health and your practice.

Episode references and resource links: 

  • Marin, M, Leung, J, Anderson, TC, Lopez, AS. Monitoring Varicella Vaccine Impact on Varicella Incidence in the United States: Surveillance Challenges and Changing Epidemiology, 1995–2019, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 226, Issue Supplement_4, 1 November 2022, Pages S392–S399, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiac221
  • Qiu L, Liu S, Zhang M, et al. The epidemiology of varicella and effectiveness of varicella vaccine in Ganyu, China: a long-term community surveillance study. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):1875. Published 2023 Sep 28. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-16304-4
  • Ruprecht A, Marin M, Strain AK, Harry K, Kenyon C. Notes from the Field: Expanded Laboratory Testing for Varicella — Minnesota, 2016–2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:245–246. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7311a3.
  • DynaMed – Chicken pox – Varicella (https://www-dynamed-com.umassmed.idm.oclc.org/condition/chickenpox#GUID-DFBFAA99-31E8-4553-AFDB-AA1988B1967A):
     

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CME/CE Information

0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits

Release Date: 7/22/2024

Expiration Date: 7/22/2026

Learning Objectives

  • Summarize why varicella has breakthrough cases, even though incidence has declined with vaccination, and needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis when appropriate
  • Describe how the clinical diagnosis of varicella is often missed, especially in vaccinated individuals, making lab confirmation necessary to support patient and public health and gather data on vaccination efficacy
     

     

Faculty

Frank J. Domino, MD

Professor, Family Medicine and Community Health,
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA

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Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP, FAANP

Assistant Professor, Family Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator, Graduate School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA

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Disclosures

Frank J. Domino, MD: Has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C: Has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.


Non-faculty contributors involved in the planning, development, editing, and review of the content have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

CME/CE Information

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits

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Pri-Med Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

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Pri-Med Institute designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Instructions for Obtaining Credit

For APRNs and PAs, AANPCB and NCCPA accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as the number of hours of participation (AANPCB) or as Category 1 CME credits (NCCPA).

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Spot On: Evolving Strategies for Chickenpox Diagnosis - Frankly Speaking Ep 390

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