February 3, 2009

February 3, 2010

1.25 Hours

Internet

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Herpes Zoster is a manifestation of the varicella zoster virus, causing a painful rash lasting about 4 weeks. The lifetime risk of herpes zoster is about 15%. Older age is often the only recognized risk factor, and 60-70% of cases occur in individuals >50 years of age. Established antiviral therapies must be started early to accelerate healing. The most common complication of herpes zoster is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is also difficult to treat and which can last for months or years. Comorbid illness, the risk of drug interactions, and patient quality of life must be considered when treating elderly patients with PHN. Herpes Zoster can be prevented through a vaccine recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices for adults ≥60 years of age. The herpes zoster vaccine is part of the recommended adult immunization schedule, which should be universally implemented to help ensure the health and safety of adult patients.

This educational activity will provide clinicians with an overview of the adult vaccine schedule, with a focus on herpes zoster. The zoster portion is designed to increase clinician knowledge about preventing, diagnosing, and treating herpes zoster and PHN. 

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of geriatricians and primary care physicians treating older populations and ancillary geriatric healthcare professionals.

After completing this activity, participants should be better able to:
 

• Identify the 10 vaccines routinely given to adults and name when each vaccine should be administered
• Diagnose acute herpes zoster and identify 3 characteristics of the rash
• List the medications routinely used to treat herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia and be familiar with their efficacy and safety profiles

M. Susan Burke, MD, FACP
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA
Director, Internal Medicine Clinical Care Center
Lankenau Hospital
Wynnewood, PA

Katherine Galluzzi, DO, CMD, FACOFP
Professor and Chairperson
Department of Geriatrics
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Philadelphia, PA

Catherine Yu, MD
Course Director
Instructor of Medicine
Section of Infectious Diseases
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston, MA

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Boston University School of Medicine and Med Learning Group. Boston University School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

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Boston University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period February 3, 2009 through February 3, 2010, participants must:

1. Read the educational objectives and faculty disclosures
2. Study all parts of the educational activity
3. Complete the posttest by recording the best answer to each question
4. Complete the evaluation
5. Submit your posttest and evaluation
6. Print your certificate

To participate in this activity, please view the presentation and take the posttest. Fill in the answer sheet and evaluation form and submit online via iQueue. CME credit will be awarded if a score of 70% or better is achieved. You will receive your certificate instantly.

Estimated time to complete: 1.25 hours.

For CME questions, please contact BUSM at 617-638-4605.

Boston University School of Medicine asks all individuals involved in the development and presentation of Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities to disclose all relationships with commercial interests. This information is disclosed to CME activity participants. Boston University School of Medicine has procedures to resolve apparent conflicts of interest. In addition, faculty members are asked to disclose when any discussion of unapproved use of pharmaceuticals and devices is being discussed.

M. Susan Burke, MD
Speakers Bureau: Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer.

Katherine Galluzzi, MD
Speakers Bureau: Pfizer/Eisai.
Consultant: Alpharma, Inc.

Catherine Yu, MD has nothing to disclose.

The planners and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Tara Hun-Dorris, MMC, ELS
Consultant: Salix Pharmaceuticals.

Elizabeth Gifford of Boston University School of Medicine has nothing to disclose.

Christopher J. Cahill of Med Learning Group has nothing to disclose.

Common off-label uses of treatments for acute herpes zoster and post herpetic neuralgia are included in the handouts accompanying the activity presentations. These off-label uses are labeled as such and have no bearing on the objectivity of this CME activity. All recommendations involving clinical medicine in this educational activity are based on evidence that is accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for indication. All scientific research referred to conforms to generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection and analysis.

THESE MATERIALS AND ALL OTHER MATERIALS PROVIDED IN CONJUNCTION WITH CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ARE INTENDED SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF SUPPLEMENTING CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. ANYONE USING THE MATERIALS ASSUMES FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND ALL RISK FOR THEIR APPROPRIATE USE. TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY MAKE NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WHATSOEVER REGARDING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, CURRENTNESS, NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE MATERIALS. IN NO EVENT WILL TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR ANY DECISION MADE OR ACTION TAKEN IN RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS. IN NO EVENT SHOULD THE INFORMATION IN THE MATERIALS BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL CARE.

http://www.bu.edu/cme/policies/privacy_policy.html

Email: cme@bu.edu

Website: http://www.bu.edu/cme