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 Family Medicine
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 Family Medicine
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 Family Medicine
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 Family Medicine
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 Family Medicine
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 Family Medicine
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 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 Family Medicine
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 Family Medicine
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?
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 Family Medicine
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 Family Medicine
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?
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 Family Medicine
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 Asthma Blood Test Results: When to Seek Medical Advice
Inquiry about asthma blood test report? Hello, doctor. Recently, my shortness of breath has become more frequent, and I often have to exert myself to breathe, which causes discomfort and tightness in my chest. This has already affected my daily life. My family members also have s...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: The blood test report shows elevated eosinophils, which can be strongly associated with your allergic constitution. The main diseases related to allergic conditions include three types: asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis. Given that you have recently experien...[Read More] Understanding Asthma Blood Test Results: When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding Heartbeat Issues: When to Seek Medical Advice
Heart rate issues? Hello doctor, I have recently noticed that after concentrating on a task for a while, I often experience chest tightness, as if my heart is a bit weak and I feel like I'm lacking oxygen. My heart rate seems slower, but when measured, it's actually bet...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Although your increased heart rate is still within the normal range (60-100 bpm), the discomfort in your chest and the noticeable sensation of your heartbeat may raise concerns about potential arrhythmias. Indeed, after recovering from COVID-19, it is possible to experienc...[Read More] Understanding Heartbeat Issues: When to Seek Medical Advice
Can You Self-Diagnose a Herniated Disc? Understanding Your Symptoms
Self-diagnosis of a herniated disc? Due to long-term prolonged sitting, I have recently experienced occasional sensations of tingling and numbness in my thighs and fingers. These sensations are brief, and sometimes I mistakenly think I've been bitten by a mosquito. I initial...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. The primary symptom of a herniated disc is pain; if you only experience tingling or numbness, other causes should be considered. 2. The discomfort in your thigh may suggest lumbar nerve compression, while the discomfort in your fingers may indicate cervical nerve compre...[Read More] Can You Self-Diagnose a Herniated Disc? Understanding Your Symptoms
Do You Need Rabies Vaccination After a Squirrel Bite? Expert Advice
Do you need to get a rabies vaccine if bitten by a wild squirrel? Hello doctor, my 4-year-old son was bitten on his thumb by a wild squirrel in the park. The small wound bled a little, but we cleaned it, and it stopped bleeding afterward. We did not go to the hospital at that tim...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Currently, rabies in Taiwan occurs primarily in wild animals such as ferrets and the Formosan ferret badger, particularly in the central, southern, and eastern regions. Therefore, in the case of your son being bitten by a wild squirrel, there is no need for rabies vaccinat...[Read More] Do You Need Rabies Vaccination After a Squirrel Bite? Expert Advice
Understanding Rabies Vaccination After Animal Bites: A Patient's Journey
Rabies vaccine Hello, Doctor. On March 22, I was bitten by a feral cat (in Yuanli, Miaoli) on my left thumb and right pinky finger. I received a tetanus shot in the emergency room that day and inquired about the need for rabies vaccination. The emergency staff laughed and said it...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Currently, rabies in Taiwan is primarily found in wild animals such as ferrets and civets, particularly in the central, southern, and eastern regions, and there is no evidence of transmission among domestic dogs and cats. Therefore, based on your situation of being bitten ...[Read More] Understanding Rabies Vaccination After Animal Bites: A Patient's Journey
Understanding Common Health Issues: Dizziness, Cholesterol, and Home Blood Sugar Testing
Dizziness, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, abnormal white blood cell count, home blood glucose monitoring, painless hematuria? 1. **[Adult Health Check, Results Indicated in Red, What Does It Mean?]** Examination Date: 10/19/2022 Test Code: 09015C Creati...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. Creatinine is typically a concern when elevated, as high levels indicate declining kidney function, while low levels are often due to lower body weight or muscle mass. The TC/HDL ratio reflects whether there is sufficient good cholesterol (HDL), which has a protective...[Read More] Understanding Common Health Issues: Dizziness, Cholesterol, and Home Blood Sugar Testing
Managing Norovirus in Children: Safe Use of Suppositories for Fever and Vomiting
Norovirus Hello, Dr. Lin! I would like to ask about my 11-year-old daughter who had a fever and persistent vomiting during the night. We rushed to the clinic in the morning, and the doctor said she was infected with norovirus. We were advised not to give her water initially and t...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: 1. The pharmacological effects of antipyretic suppositories and antiemetic suppositories are different and they generally do not have significant drug interactions, so there is no need for a specific interval between them. However, since medications typically take about 30...[Read More] Managing Norovirus in Children: Safe Use of Suppositories for Fever and Vomiting
Understanding Urine Changes After Eating Pineapple: What You Need to Know
About urine? Hello, doctor. After eating pineapple yesterday, I had to use the restroom, and afterward, I noticed a faint, pungent smell of pineapple in the bathroom. Three years ago, I had blood tests for liver, kidney, and blood sugar levels, and my doctor said everything was n...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: The pineapple-like odor in your urine may be caused by ammonia present in the urine, which is commonly associated with factors such as holding in urine, dehydration, or urinary tract infections, among others. Additionally, dietary factors could also be a concern, such as g...[Read More] Understanding Urine Changes After Eating Pineapple: What You Need to Know
Do Medications Interact with Food? Understanding Drug-Food Conflicts
What are the interactions between medications and food? Hello, I would like to ask if after taking one tablet of Ailait and one tablet of Aishuteng, I experienced a feeling of slowed heart rate about an hour later after eating herbal jelly. Could this be related to a conflict bet...
Dr. Lin Zhebin reply Family Medicine
Hello: Based on my experience, Allegra (fexofenadine) and Acetaminophen should not have the effect of slowing down the heart rate, and there should not be any significant interactions with herbal jelly. If your heart rate continues to slow down and is accompanied by symptoms such...[Read More] Do Medications Interact with Food? Understanding Drug-Food Conflicts