Medical utilization by immunodeficient, hemophiliac, and HIV positive children during summer camp: evidence for a safe camper experience.

BACKGROUND: Continuation of normal activities is vital to psychosocial development of children with serious illnesses. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not it was safe for HIV-positive children and children with other immunodeficiencies to attend camp. PROCEDURE: The study population consisted of HIV (+) children, HIV negative siblings, and other immunodeficient campers attending Barretstown Gang (BG) Camp between 1998 and 2002. Their visit frequency to the on-site medical facility was compared within the study population and between 2,323 contemporaneous campers with cancer. RESULTS: Over half of the HIV (+) children were on active therapy. Greater than 97% of staff (49/51) made at least one visit compared with 64% (149/233) of campers (P < 0.04). HIV (-) siblings had almost the same need for medical attention (total visits) as children with immunodeficiencies (P = 0.34). Most visits [88%] among all diagnostic groups except hemophilia were non-disease related (328 vs. 47). Apart from URIs, there were few other infections and no fevers in the HIV(+) or immunodeficiency group, nor were there significant bleeds in the hemophiliacs. Most visits were for routine camp-type ailments. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that it is safe for HIV (+) and immunodeficient children to attend a properly staffed camp.

[Physical factors in the therapy of secondary chronic pyelonephritis]. / Fizicheskie faktory v terapii vtorichnykh khronicheskikh pielonefritov.

The authors have developed combined therapy of secondary chronic pyelonephritis with immune and urodynamic dysfunctions. The treatment includes physical factors: decimeter microwaves, gangleron-electrophoresis with sinusoidal modulated currents, sodium chloride baths, oral mineral water Moskovskaia. The adjuvant use of the above physical factors proved advantageous.

[The physiotherapeutic correction of secondary immunodeficiency in the preoperative period in patients with rheumatic heart defects]. / Fizioterapevticheskaia korrektsiia vtorichnogo immunodefitsita v predoperatsionnom periode u bol'nykh s revmatichesmimi porokami serdtsa.

Directed correction of immunity by physiotherapeutic methods was used at the period of preoperative preparing 45 patients who needed the operation for rheumatic valvular disease of the heart. The number of purulent complications during the postoperative period in the group of patients subjected to direct correction of the immune status was found to be less than in the control group.

[Necessary diagnostic and therapeutic measures in the rehabilitation of "cured" patients with Hodgkin's disease]. / Notwendige diagnostische und therapeutische Massnahmen bei der Rehabilitation "geheilter" Patienten mit Morbus Hodgkin.

On account of the fundamental changes in treatment modalities, an ameliorated prognostic outlook, as well as a not inconsiderable variety of reversible and irreversible treatment-generated disorders, current concepts for rehabilitation of patients with M. Hodgkin require thorough reconsideration. It is not the early detection of recidives, but identification and, whenever possible, therapy of the treatment aftermath that should be the primary function of tumour aftercare. Splenectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy may entail long-term immune-system or cardiac disorders, scelettal impairments, functional disorders of the lung, liver, kidney, or the endocrine system, vascular diseases, dental problems, leukeamia, or second carcinoma. As primary therapy is increasingly being geared toward taking into account this possible aftermath of treatment, aftercare and rehabilitation of patients with M. Hodgkin, too, should be adjusted to an increased awareness of unwanted long-term side-effects.