Behçet disease (BD) can be a difficult diagnosis, because the symptoms may be similar to those of other illnesses, they often don’t appear all at once, and there is no specific diagnostic test for BD.

Yet, primary care physicians are in a prime position to recognize BD—if you know what to look for.

Take this brief quiz to find out what you know about BD symptoms and diagnosis.

Behcet diagnosis in primary care quiz 

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Primary care physicians are in a prime position to recognize BD—if you know what to look for. Take this brief quiz to find out what you know. 

8 Questions on Behçet Diagnosis in Primary Care 

Recent Behçet disease (BD) research has produced new information about the rare disorder and new forms of treatment, according to the 

Because BD affects various parts of the body, a combination of medications is most often used to manage multiple symptoms and treatment often involves a variety of doctors, the ABDA notes. Primary care physicians can play a major role in coordinating treatment and monitoring care.

For a look at the ABDA’s discussion of BD treatment basics and currently available drugs, scroll through the slides below.

Behcet Disease Treatment Basics for Primary Care 

For patients with Behcet disease, primary care practitioners play a key role in coordinating and monitoring care that requires multiple medications and doctors. 

Behçet Disease Treatment Basics for Primary Care 

Homemade cloth face masks need a minimum of 2 layers, and preferably 3, to effectively prevent the spread of viral droplets associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), suggests a recent video case study published online in the journal 

Worldwide shortages of personal protective equipment during the pandemic led some health agencies such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to recommend the use of homemade cloth face masks to reduce transmission.

To determine how effective homemade cloth face masks are at preventing the spread of COVID-19, a team of Australian researchers compared the 

 1-and 2-layer cloth face coverings (175 g/m2 cotton fabric, with a threat count of 170/inch) against a 3-ply surgical mask (Bao Thach).

The single layer mask was made from a folded piece of cotton T-shirt and hair ties, and the double layer mask was made using the CDC-recommended sew method. A tailored LED lighting system and a high-speed camera were used to film the dispersal of airborne droplets produced by 1 healthy participant without any respiratory infection, during speaking, coughing, and sneezing while wearing each type of mask.

The video recording showed that the 3-ply surgical face mask was the most effective in preventing droplet spread, although even a single layer cloth face mask was found to reduce droplet spread from speaking. A 2-layer cloth face mask, however, was significantly better at reducing droplet spread caused by coughing and sneezing.

The researchers stressed that this is just 1 case and several other factors can determine the efficacy of cloth masks, including type of material, the number of layers, the arrangement of different layers, and frequency of washing.

“However, based on the visualizations presented, in case of shortages of surgical masks, a cloth face covering with at least two layers is preferable to a single-layer one. Guidelines on home-made cloth masks should stipulate multiple layers (at least 3),” concluded authors.

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A recent video case study found homemade cloth face masks need a minimum of 2 layers to effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Study: DIY Face Masks Need at Least 2 Layers to Curb COVID-19 Transmission

How many cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been confirmed in the US?

, as of today, August 3, 2020 at 10:34 AM, EDT, there have been:

The 5 states with the highest total confirmed cases are:

 with 32 710 reported fatalities, followed by 

 with 282 604 people who have recovered, followed by 

 California leads in number of persons tested

 with 8 035 975 people tested, followed by 

How many cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed globally?

recoveries.  
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For more COVID-19 coverage for primary care, visit our

US confirmed cases of COVID-19 number nearly 4.6 million; global cases have surpassed 18 million. We summarize more of today's data from the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 interactive map.

COVID-19 Update: US and Global Cases, Deaths, and Recoveries as of August 3, 2020

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) on July 30, 2020 made updates on use of corticosteroids in treatment of COVID-19 and on approaches to care of the crtically ill, including considerations for advance planning to its dynamic 

. The guidelines are updated as soon as published data and other authoritative information become available. Following are highlights of the recent updates. 

NIH Updates COVID-19 Treatment Guidance on Corticosteroids 

The National Institutes of Health updated guidance on use of dexamethasone and substitutes in critically ill patients, and on ensuring surrogate decision makers are identified. 

NIH Updates COVID-19 Treatment Guidance on Corticosteroids, Advance Planning 

, as of today, July 31, 2020 at 12:30 PM, EDT, there have been:

 with 32 683 reported fatalities, followed by 

 with 260 542 people who have recovered, followed by 

 with 7 633 840 people tested, followed by 

recoveries.  
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US confirmed cases of COVID-19 number nearly 4.5 million; global cases have surpassed 17 million. We summarize more of today's data from the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 interactive map.