Can Applying Ointment on Vaccine Injection Site Affect Efficacy?
After receiving a rabies vaccine or a tetanus vaccine, should I apply ointment to the injection site? Hello, doctor. Last time I asked you whether it is okay to apply anti-inflammatory ointment on the injection site after receiving the rabies or tetanus vaccine, and you said it w...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: The injection site of a vaccine needle is usually very small, so it heals in a short period of time. Therefore, applying an anti-inflammatory ointment on it will not affect the efficacy of the vaccine, and the risk of infections such as cellulitis is minimal.[Read More] Can Applying Ointment on Vaccine Injection Site Affect Efficacy?
Concerns About Shrimp Stings: Infection Risks and Precautions
Concerns about being stung by a familiar shrimp? Hello, doctor. Today, I accidentally got pricked in the abdomen by the head spike of a fried shrimp (while carrying a bag of purchased items). I didn't expect the spike to pierce through the bag, and the shrimp was already fri...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: If the shrimp has already been cooked, the chances of getting infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus from being pricked by the shrimp's head should be very low. It is recommended that you continue using the topical antibiotic ointment and monitor the wound for any chan...[Read More] Concerns About Shrimp Stings: Infection Risks and Precautions
Understanding Lower Back Pain: Is It Related to Kidney Issues?
Inquiry Consultation Dear Dr. Lin, Hello. Today (April 26), I visited a clinic due to headaches and bloating. At the time, I did not notice that my number had been called. When the nurse suddenly called my name, I quickly stood up and entered the examination room. During the con...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. Since your dull pain in the lower right back occurred after a sudden movement, it is more likely to be caused by a muscle strain in the back. If it were a kidney infection, common symptoms would include lower back pain and painful urination. In the case of kidney stones...[Read More] Understanding Lower Back Pain: Is It Related to Kidney Issues?
Can You Apply Antibiotic Ointment After Rabies or Tetanus Vaccination?
Rabies and Tetanus Vaccines Hello, may I ask if it is okay to apply anti-inflammatory ointment at the injection site after receiving the rabies or tetanus vaccine? Additionally, I would like to confirm if rabies can only be contracted through transmission, and that it cannot occu...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. After receiving a vaccination, it is permissible to apply anti-inflammatory ointment at the injection site to alleviate symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat, and pain. However, for rabies and tetanus vaccines, it is relatively uncommon to experience redness, swellin...[Read More] Can You Apply Antibiotic Ointment After Rabies or Tetanus Vaccination?
Understanding Shortness of Breath: When to Seek Medical Attention
Shortness of breath? Last Wednesday, I went to see a doctor due to chest pain. An electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed, and the doctor said there were no significant issues, just that my heart rate was a bit elevated, so he prescribed me New Kangle. However, I went back to see t...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: Regarding your discomfort in the chest and difficulty breathing, if both the electrocardiogram and chest X-ray show no significant abnormalities, it is less likely to be a serious heart or lung condition. Given your mother's history of thyroid-related issues and your ...[Read More] Understanding Shortness of Breath: When to Seek Medical Attention
Understanding Infection Risks in Public Restrooms: A Guide for Patients
Infection issues Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask you the following questions: 1. If I touch the soles of my shoes or the floor in a public environment and then wash my hands with soap, is there a risk of infection in the genital area or other parts of my body when using the re...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. If you wash your hands with soap after being in a relatively unclean environment, the likelihood of contracting an illness from hand contact during toilet use is very low. 2. Generally, the amount of toilet water or urine that splashes onto the genital area during toile...[Read More] Understanding Infection Risks in Public Restrooms: A Guide for Patients
Understanding Monthly Illness in Mothers: Causes and Solutions
The mother falls ill every month for no apparent reason? My mother is fifty years old, 162 cm tall, and weighs 41 kg. About a year ago, she started getting sick once or twice a month, and in recent months, this has become more frequent. Her weight has decreased from approximately...
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
Hello, it is difficult to make a comprehensive assessment based solely on the text description. It is recommended to take the elderly to a regional hospital or higher-level family medicine clinic for evaluation. After the doctor assesses the patient's condition, they will ar...[Read More] Understanding Monthly Illness in Mothers: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Itchy Bottoms: Causes and Solutions for Children
Itchy buttocks? Hello, Dr. Yeh! I have a question. Recently, I've noticed that my daughter sometimes moves around in her sleep and touches her bottom and genital area during the night when I get up to use the restroom. A neighbor mentioned that this could be due to a pinworm...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! The situations you mentioned are all possible. Since I cannot provide a personal examination, I suggest you rule them out one by one. If you are unable to confirm the issue, please visit a pediatrician for further evaluation.[Read More] Understanding Itchy Bottoms: Causes and Solutions for Children
Understanding Post-Vaccine Injection Site Swelling: When to Seek Help
Swelling at the injection site one month after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine? Hello, I would like to ask about my situation. I received my fifth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the BA4.5 Moderna next-generation vaccine, on March 10. After the vaccination, I experienced soreness, f...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: The redness, swelling, and pain in your arm initially may be a "local injection site reaction" following the administration of the Moderna vaccine. This typically resolves gradually within a week. Based on your description, although the discomfort in your arm has...[Read More] Understanding Post-Vaccine Injection Site Swelling: When to Seek Help
Is My Sleep Schedule of Short Naps Healthy for Adults?
What is the recommended sleep duration? Most reports suggest that adults should aim for 6 to 8 hours of sleep per day. However, due to the unique nature of my work, I am unable to sleep for long periods at once. I typically manage to sleep about two hours in the morning, two hour...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: Your sleep pattern is characterized by segmented sleep, and the main issue with segmented sleep is the insufficient duration of deep sleep. During deep sleep, the cerebral cortex is in a state of inactivity and complete rest, allowing the body to effectively eliminate fati...[Read More] Is My Sleep Schedule of Short Naps Healthy for Adults?
Persistent Low-Grade Fever After COVID-19: Is It a Long-Term Effect?
Since being re-diagnosed at the end of January this year, my body temperature has remained elevated? Hello, I was diagnosed with COVID-19 for the second time at the end of January this year, and I tested negative three days later. However, my body temperature has been slightly el...
Dr. Hou Angting Reply:
Hello Mr. Chang: It is normal for body temperature to fluctuate after general activities. If your temperature is within the normal range in the morning and you do not have any discomfort, the likelihood of post-COVID syndrome is lower. I suggest you relax and develop a habit of e...[Read More] Persistent Low-Grade Fever After COVID-19: Is It a Long-Term Effect?
Risk of Infection from Used Hair Removal Tools: What You Need to Know
Infection issues Hello, doctor. Today, I used a newly purchased hair removal razor to remove hair from my intimate area, but I found that the blade was already dull after use. I suspect it might be a returned item, as the packaging was only a simple adhesive type that does not co...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! If there is no visible blood on the razor, the risk of viral infection is extremely low and can be considered equivalent to environmental factors. However, if you are still concerned, you can undergo anonymous screening (for more information, please refer to the CDC websit...[Read More] Risk of Infection from Used Hair Removal Tools: What You Need to Know
Managing White Coat Hypertension: Causes, Effects, and Treatment Options
How to treat white coat hypertension caused by emotional stress? Since childhood, I have easily felt nervous during exams, and now that I am working, I still experience this. During health check-ups and blood donations, my blood pressure readings are often elevated at 145/92, but...
Dr. Hou Angting Reply:
Hello, Zongjun: I suggest that you reduce your salt intake in your diet and develop a habit of exercising. If your blood pressure remains elevated after one month, I recommend consulting with a family medicine specialist for evaluation. Wishing you good health.[Read More] Managing White Coat Hypertension: Causes, Effects, and Treatment Options
Understanding Persistent High Body Temperature: When to Seek Medical Advice
Elevated body temperature? Hello, Doctor: I have been experiencing elevated body temperature for about three months. Initially, it was occasional, but recently it has become more frequent, reaching around 37 degrees Celsius almost every day, even while resting indoors. I also exp...
Dr. Hou Angting Reply:
Hello Xiao Mao: Due to the many factors that can affect body temperature, such as gender and occupational status, it is recommended that you consult with a family medicine specialist for evaluation. Wishing you good health.[Read More] Understanding Persistent High Body Temperature: When to Seek Medical Advice
Should I Get a Rabies Vaccine After a Possible Dog Encounter?
Should I get the rabies vaccine? Yesterday afternoon, I encountered a family with a little girl walking a small white dog. As I passed by them, I accidentally stepped on something that felt like the dog. At that moment, I felt something under my left foot, but I wasn't sure ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: Currently, rabies in Taiwan occurs only in wild animals such as ferrets and civets, and there is no transmission among domestic dogs and cats. If you encountered a pet dog and did not have any obvious external injuries, your risk of contracting rabies is very low. Therefor...[Read More] Should I Get a Rabies Vaccine After a Possible Dog Encounter?
Can You Get Monkeypox Vaccine While on HIV PEP Treatment?
Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV and monkeypox vaccination? Hello doctor, I am currently taking HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and I am on the fourth day of the treatment. I have recently scheduled an appointment for the monkeypox vaccine and would like to know if it is saf...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: Current data indicates that there are no significant drug interactions between post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV and the monkeypox vaccine, suggesting that PEP's efficacy and the effectiveness of the monkeypox vaccine should not be affected.[Read More] Can You Get Monkeypox Vaccine While on HIV PEP Treatment?
Unexplained Weight Loss in Mom: Causes and When to Seek Help
Recently, my mother has been losing weight rapidly, and we don't know the reason? Recently, I have lost weight from around 60 kg to about 50 kg, and I don't know why. I have also become very emotional and feel weak all over, with numbness in my tongue, hands, and feet. ...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, unexplained weight loss is certainly a reason to seek medical attention. It is advisable to consult your family physician for an initial evaluation. Online consultations are not equivalent to in-person visits and cannot provide diagnoses or treatment recommendations. Chang...[Read More] Unexplained Weight Loss in Mom: Causes and When to Seek Help
Dog Bite Concerns: Rabies, Tetanus, and Wound Care Explained
Bitten on the hand by my own dog? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask four questions: 1. I was bitten on my finger by my dog around midnight on April 13. The bite site is shown in the photos linked here. There was no bleeding, and I'm not sure if there are other bite marks....
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. Currently, rabies in Taiwan only occurs in wild animals such as badgers and civets, and there is no transmission among domestic dogs and cats. Additionally, your pet dog has been vaccinated against rabies, so the likelihood of contracting rabies from being bitten by you...[Read More] Dog Bite Concerns: Rabies, Tetanus, and Wound Care Explained
Understanding High Fever During Colds: When to Use Antipyretics
Whenever I catch a cold, I develop a high fever above 39°C, and I need antipyretics to reduce the fever? Hello Dr. Chen, in the past, I was able to remain active even with a fever of 39 degrees Celsius. Even though I felt very uncomfortable, I would mistakenly think I had recover...
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
Hello, each person's constitution and medical condition is different. If you have any concerns, it is recommended to visit a family medicine or internal medicine clinic at a regional hospital or higher for evaluation. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding High Fever During Colds: When to Use Antipyretics
Risks of Eating Undercooked Sausages: What You Need to Know
Eating raw sausage? I bought small sausages from a convenience store but didn't heat them long enough before eating. Is there a risk of infection?
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
Hello, it is advisable to monitor the situation, and if you experience any discomfort, please seek medical attention. Thank you.[Read More] Risks of Eating Undercooked Sausages: What You Need to Know