Assessing Infection Risks from Acupuncture: What You Need to Know
Infection risk Hello, Doctor. During my previous visit to an acupuncture clinic, I noticed that there was blood left on the acupuncture table from the previous patient. I thoroughly cleaned the entire table with a 75% alcohol wipe, but I forgot to wash my hands before lying down ...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, the vast majority of viruses die shortly after leaving the human body, and they will also die immediately upon contact with alcohol. Therefore, it is highly unlikely to contract any diseases from blood stains left by a previous patient. Additionally, touching small acupunc...[Read More] Assessing Infection Risks from Acupuncture: What You Need to Know
Concerns About Eating Snails in Salad: Parasite Infection Risks
Eating lettuce with snails? Hello, doctor. I just ate a large bowl of salad from a restaurant (which had been refrigerated for 3 hours) and only realized at the end that there was a live snail in the bowl. I'm very concerned about the risk of parasitic infection. It's b...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, if it's just a one-time consumption, the chance of getting sick is quite low. The risk of eating raw snails is higher, but the risk of parasites from vegetables that snails have crawled over is much lower, as the vast majority would be killed by stomach acid. So, you ...[Read More] Concerns About Eating Snails in Salad: Parasite Infection Risks
Can Tiny Jumping Bugs Enter Your Lungs and Cause Harm?
Jumping worms are very small and can jump in the air; can they be inhaled into the lungs? Hello, doctor. Due to previous flooding of the wooden floor in my home, there has been a presence of damp insects. I hired a pest control company to address the issue, but I later noticed th...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello! No, that's not possible! Our trachea has many cilia, and when foreign objects enter the trachea, it triggers a strong cough reflex to expel the foreign material. It also produces secretions to prevent foreign objects from continuing to enter the lungs. So under normal...[Read More] Can Tiny Jumping Bugs Enter Your Lungs and Cause Harm?
Food Safety in Your Fridge: Risks of Storing Leftovers and Meals
Food in the refrigerator Hello, doctor. I have been storing food scraps in the refrigerator (in the cold storage) and also keeping prepared dinners in the refrigerator. The next day, I microwave the dinner, which is placed on a plate and covered with plastic wrap. I would like to...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, theoretically, a refrigerator operates on a closed-loop system. If food scraps are not covered, the bacteria inside can indeed contaminate other foods through the airflow. If they are properly covered, the risk is reduced; however, the exterior of the food scrap container ...[Read More] Food Safety in Your Fridge: Risks of Storing Leftovers and Meals
Understanding Tetanus Risk After a Rusty Cut: What You Need to Know
Abrasion Last Thursday night, I accidentally scraped my little finger with a rusty paint scraper, causing a small cut that bled a little. I immediately disinfected it with iodine and applied antibiotic ointment. Here are the pictures from the day of the injury: [link1](https://dr...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, the symptoms of tetanus primarily present as neurological symptoms. If the tetanus vaccine is administered in a timely manner, the chances of contracting tetanus are very low. Overall, it appears that the wound and symptoms have improved, so there should be no cause for co...[Read More] Understanding Tetanus Risk After a Rusty Cut: What You Need to Know
Understanding HIV Testing: Can I Trust My Negative Results?
HIV testing issues Hello Doctor: I engaged in high-risk behavior on October 16. On April 1 of the following year, I used the Orasure saliva rapid test, which was negative. Then, on April 25, I conducted the Bayer blood rapid test, which was also negative. During this period, I di...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, generally speaking, a period of six months has surpassed the window period for HIV, so if one is infected, it is usually detectable. However, all tests carry the possibility of false negatives, especially rapid tests, which have a slightly higher chance of false negatives ...[Read More] Understanding HIV Testing: Can I Trust My Negative Results?
Understanding Recurrent Infections: Causes and When to Seek Help
Recurrent inflammatory colds? Hello, doctor. In the past month, I have been experiencing recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation. The first instance was a sudden acute fever, which did not show significant signs of subsiding after two days. After visiting my family physician...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello: Your situation is relatively complex, and it is recommended that you visit the Infectious Disease outpatient clinic for evaluation. Additionally, if you experience any changes in hearing, it is advisable to see an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist to rule out more obv...[Read More] Understanding Recurrent Infections: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Avian Influenza Risks: Safety Measures After Bird Encounter
Avian influenza or other infectious diseases? Hello, doctor. Today, I found a newly hatched bird in my laundry area at home. Its activity level was very low, so I quickly picked it up and called the animal protection unit to take it away. I wore gloves and a mask while placing it...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello: The probability is extremely low. Avian influenza, like seasonal influenza, is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets. Therefore, the main risk comes from close contact with infected birds. Even if you touch birds with bare hands, as long as you thoroughly wash...[Read More] Understanding Avian Influenza Risks: Safety Measures After Bird Encounter
Understanding HIV Risks: Potential Exposure Scenarios Explained
Is there a risk of HIV infection? Hello doctor, I previously went to a gay nightclub where a partner possibly ejaculated on my calf. There is a small area on my calf that seems to have a minor wound that is about to scab over. Is this a concern? Additionally, I licked the partner...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, there is generally little risk associated with saliva coming into contact with the skin, but if semen comes into contact with an open wound, there is theoretically a slight risk of transmission (though it is low). I can only tell you that contact with bodily fluids carries...[Read More] Understanding HIV Risks: Potential Exposure Scenarios Explained
Concerns About Parasite Infection from Undercooked Pork Liver
Parasitic questions? Hello Dr. Lin, I would like to inquire about a situation where my family and I consumed pig liver soup tonight, and we ate undercooked pig liver that was even oozing blood. Each person had about six pieces of pig liver. I would like to ask the following quest...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
1. There is not much risk; parasites will die if they are slightly heated, and tapeworms are not typically found in pig liver. 2. The same applies here. The main risk comes from consuming raw pork; even if parasites are frozen, they will die, so it is not that easy to get infec...[Read More] Concerns About Parasite Infection from Undercooked Pork Liver
Concerns About HIV and Hepatitis Risks from Blood Draw Practices
Concerns about HIV infection? Hello Dr. Lin, this week when I went to a small clinic for the adult health check organized by the National Health Administration, the nurse used a brand new, unopened needle for the blood draw, but it seemed that the syringe was not brand new and un...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, what you are seeing is likely not a syringe, but rather the casing used for a fixed needle. During blood draw, the blood is directly drawn into a vacuum blood collection tube, so a syringe is not needed. Additionally, the casing for the fixed needle does not come into cont...[Read More] Concerns About HIV and Hepatitis Risks from Blood Draw Practices
Understanding Lower Abdominal Pain: When to See a Urologist?
Lower abdominal tenderness inquiry? Hello Doctor, in the past week, I have experienced localized tenderness in my lower abdomen. Initially, it was located about one centimeter to the right of my navel, but later it appeared about eight centimeters to the left of my navel, while t...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, bladder inflammation typically presents with urinary tract symptoms. Your tenderness may also be related to the abdominal wall muscle layer. It is advisable to observe for two to three days, as it often improves on its own. When visiting a urologist, a urinalysis will like...[Read More] Understanding Lower Abdominal Pain: When to See a Urologist?
Risk of Parasite Infection from Snail Contact: What You Should Know
Snail parasites Hello, doctor. This morning, I directly touched a small snail on my motorcycle handle. After realizing it was a snail, I used a wet cloth to remove it. At that moment, there was no water source nearby, so I rode for about 30 minutes to my destination before using ...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, there is usually not much risk involved. Eating raw snails is typically riskier because parasites are found inside the snails rather than on their surface. Therefore, touching snails is unlikely to expose you to parasites.[Read More] Risk of Parasite Infection from Snail Contact: What You Should Know
Understanding Skin Reactions and Infection Risks: Common Concerns
Please ask your question? Hello, doctor. I have two questions I'd like to ask. The first one is that a few days ago, the outer side of my thigh felt itchy and looked like it was bitten by an insect, with a little swelling. I didn't pay much attention to it and didn'...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, it's difficult to determine the exact condition just from the pictures, but insect bites combined with scratching can indeed lead to similar wounds. Lyme disease is almost non-existent in Taiwan, and most cases are contracted while traveling to Europe or America. The ...[Read More] Understanding Skin Reactions and Infection Risks: Common Concerns
Understanding Blood Sugar Fluctuations: Insights from Continuous Glucose Monitoring
I have some questions regarding the use of continuous glucose monitoring devices? Hello Doctor, I am 42 years old. Last August, my health check revealed a fasting blood glucose level of 115 mg/dL and a hemoglobin A1c of 5.8%. Since then, my fasting blood glucose has remained elev...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, your question falls within the specialty of endocrinology, and the physician may need to ask you additional questions related to your diet and exercise in order to have a discussion. Therefore, it is recommended that you visit the hospital to consult with the endocrinology...[Read More] Understanding Blood Sugar Fluctuations: Insights from Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Can You Get Infected from Contact with Family Member's Blood?
Regarding contact with another person's blood? Hello Dr. Lin, my family member needs to check their blood sugar, but they cannot operate the device and cannot see, so I assist them. Today, my family member bled more than usual, and when I was about to discard the test strip,...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, there are many diseases that can be transmitted through exposure to blood and bodily fluids. The ones that are usually of particular concern are HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. It would be advisable to first check if any of your family members have a history o...[Read More] Can You Get Infected from Contact with Family Member's Blood?
Concerns About Parasite Infection After Eating Raw Fish Delivery
Sashimi rice bowl delivered on a hot summer day? Hello Doctor, due to my internship, I am currently in Shanghai. On May 17, 2024, during a hot day, I had delivery of chopped sashimi, which included fresh Norwegian salmon, Arctic sweet shrimp, and Arctic surf clams. In the afterno...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, leaving raw food at higher temperatures significantly increases the risk of bacterial growth, which can lead to gastroenteritis. In contrast, the relationship between parasites and temperature is minimal (if food contains parasites, they do not proliferate within the food)...[Read More] Concerns About Parasite Infection After Eating Raw Fish Delivery
Understanding Fecal-Oral Infections: Parasites and Pathogenic Bacteria
Fecal-oral transmission of parasites or pathogenic bacteria? Hello Dr. Lin, I previously inquired about chronic diarrhea and suspect that it may be due to a parasitic or pathogenic bacterial infection from an incident over three years ago when I accidentally ingested toilet water...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
1. There are many bacteria, predominantly Escherichia coli. 2. Parasites are typically present in individuals who have been recently infected; thus, the water in the toilet may contain parasites only if someone with a parasitic infection has used it (parasites cannot survive long...[Read More] Understanding Fecal-Oral Infections: Parasites and Pathogenic Bacteria
Could Bathing with Fig Leaves Lead to Parasitic Infections?
Parasitic infection Due to a visit to a temple for worship, the temple master advised washing the body with 49 leaves from a banyan tree. After returning home, I picked 49 leaves from a potted banyan tree at my doorstep, forgetting to wash the leaves first. I placed the leaves in...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, the risk of parasitic infection is very low, as there are few known parasites that can harm the human body found on leaves. Additionally, washing with water will not allow parasites to enter the body. There's no need to worry.[Read More] Could Bathing with Fig Leaves Lead to Parasitic Infections?
Concerned About Cat Tapeworm Infection? What You Need to Know
I am very worried about getting infected with cat tapeworms? Today, I suddenly discovered that my pet cat has tapeworms. I often let him play on the bed and lick me, and today I kissed him and buried my face in him without washing my face. I read online that tapeworms are transmi...
Dr. Lin Wufu reply Internal Medicine
Hello, it is recommended to take your pet cat to the veterinary clinic for screening. If the cat does not have tapeworms, the owner generally does not need to worry. However, if the cat does have them, the cat should receive treatment, and then we can discuss whether the owner ne...[Read More] Concerned About Cat Tapeworm Infection? What You Need to Know