Should You Get Rabies and Tetanus Shots After Cat Scratches?
Scratched by a feral cat? If your daughter was scratched by a stray cat, it is important to consider rabies and tetanus vaccinations. Since she was scratched three times by different cats, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. For rabies, the risk depends on the...
Dr. Chen Bozhang Reply:
Hello! The initial symptoms of rabies are nonspecific, such as fever, sore throat, chills, malaise, loss of appetite, vomiting, difficulty breathing, cough, weakness, anxiety, and headache, or specific symptoms related to the site of a bite or scratch. After several days, symptom...[Read More] Should You Get Rabies and Tetanus Shots After Cat Scratches?
Understanding Blood Sugar Levels in Children with Influenza Fever
Blood sugar levels in children with influenza and fever? Dear Doctor, Last October, my son (6 years and 3 months old) had a fever due to influenza for five days and had some small red spots on his hands. We went to the clinic for a follow-up, and the doctor referred us to a maj...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Kelvin: 1. There are many diseases associated with fever and rash in children. In our country, it is particularly important to consider varicella (chickenpox), measles, rubella, roseola, enterovirus infections, scarlet fever, infectious erythema, Kawasaki disease, dengu...[Read More] Understanding Blood Sugar Levels in Children with Influenza Fever
Understanding Low White Blood Cell Count: When to See a Hematologist?
Leukopenia Hello, I am a 62-year-old female. I have been under follow-up care in the rheumatology and immunology department for the past three years. Aside from occasional elevated ANA (antinuclear antibody) levels of 1:160, all other tests for rheumatic and autoimmune diseases h...
Dr. Huang Xunying Reply:
1. A one-time occurrence of leukopenia may be due to some underlying infections (without physical symptoms), so it is still recommended to monitor the situation. I believe your rheumatologist will arrange for further follow-up, so there is no need to worry too much. Maintain a ba...[Read More] Understanding Low White Blood Cell Count: When to See a Hematologist?
Understanding Persistent Low-Grade Fever and Throat Discomfort
Body temperature issues Hello Doctor, on April 21, I experienced mild throat irritation and phlegm, along with a slight fever starting after 5 PM (around 37 degrees Celsius). After a week without improvement, I visited a family medicine clinic on April 30. Since my father had a m...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, a body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius is still within the normal range. However, it is advisable to continue monitoring any changes in temperature. Additionally, the association between mycoplasma and gastroesophageal reflux disease is likely minimal. If you have sympto...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Low-Grade Fever and Throat Discomfort
Understanding COVID-19 Transmission Risks in Social Settings
Transmission potential of Wuhan pneumonia? Hello, doctor. Last week I had a bit of a cold and went to see an ENT specialist. I'm still taking medication. The doctor said my lungs sounded fine, but I sometimes have a sore throat along with phlegm and nasal discharge, so I was...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Miss Ning Ning: 1. The Wuhan pneumonia virus (COVID-19 virus) belongs to the second type of coronavirus (also known as β-coronavirus); it is an enveloped RNA virus with a large genome (26-32 kb) and is classified as a zoonotic virus. Currently, the primary transmission rout...[Read More] Understanding COVID-19 Transmission Risks in Social Settings
Can You Get Vibrio Infection from Cooked Shrimp Cuts?
Is it possible to have an infection caused by Vibrio species? Hello Doctor, during lunch today while I was peeling shrimp for my seafood noodles, I accidentally scratched myself with the shrimp's tail. It hurt at the moment, but there was no visible bleeding. I went home and...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Niko: **Vibrio cholerae**: This bacterium is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions and is transmitted through contaminated food and water. After infection via contaminated food and drinking water, the bacteria do not invade the intestinal mucosa but secrete an e...[Read More] Can You Get Vibrio Infection from Cooked Shrimp Cuts?
Unexplained Skin Itching: Causes and When to Seek Medical Advice
Unexplained skin itching? Hello doctor, at the beginning of May, one morning I woke up and suddenly my knees were itchy, but it stopped after about an hour. About a week ago, the back of my right hand suddenly became itchy for no apparent reason, which lasted intermittently for a...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Guang: Itching due to skin disorders is commonly associated with the following conditions: 1. Infections: fungal infections, bacterial infections, scabies, and lice infestations. 2. Inflammatory responses: psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis rosea, xerotic de...[Read More] Unexplained Skin Itching: Causes and When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding Post-Surgery Symptoms and Infection Risks in Elderly Care
Please consult a doctor for your questions? Hello, Dr. Hsiao. Last week, my grandfather had surgery for a liver tumor at Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Neihu. I occasionally help take care of him. After the surgery, he stayed in the intensive care unit for two days before be...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Hs: 1. The primary mode of transmission for COVID-19 is through direct contact with respiratory secretions or droplets containing the virus. The estimated incubation period is mostly between 1 to 14 days, with the most common duration being around 5 days. Clinical manif...[Read More] Understanding Post-Surgery Symptoms and Infection Risks in Elderly Care
Understanding Hand Pain: Is It a Bone or Muscle Issue?
Bone issues or muscle problems? Hello Doctor, I noticed some mild pain at the base of my right ring finger while washing my hands, although there is no swelling. I later found a specific point near the base close to my palm that is more pronounced when pressed. I applied a medica...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Zeng: Trigger Finger: 1. Trigger finger is primarily caused by repetitive or forceful use of the fingers or thumb, leading to an inflammatory response in the tendons. Normally, the tendons glide smoothly within the synovial sheath of the finger joints. However, due to ...[Read More] Understanding Hand Pain: Is It a Bone or Muscle Issue?
Can Using Shared Tissue Increase Infection Risk for Seniors?
Is infection possible? Hello, Dr. Hsiao. Earlier, I took my grandmother to the ENT department mainly because she was experiencing itching in her ears. Since she had a runny nose, I was going to get her some tissues from my bag, but she ended up using the tissues from the dispense...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Wen-Hsin: 1. The primary mode of transmission for the Wuhan pneumonia virus is through direct contact with infected secretions or respiratory droplets. The estimated incubation period is mostly between 1 to 14 days, with the most common duration being around 5 days. Cli...[Read More] Can Using Shared Tissue Increase Infection Risk for Seniors?
Understanding the Risks of Choking: What You Need to Know
Choking risk? Hello, doctor. I've been having a cold for the past few days and visited an ENT specialist last week. The doctor mentioned that I had a mild cold and prescribed some medication for me. While eating udon noodles, I suddenly felt like I choked on the slippery noo...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Hello! 1. Based on your description, if you experience persistent coughing, a sensation of foreign body in the chest, pain below the rib cage, or even a high fever after choking, you should seek medical attention promptly. 2. However, since each individual's constitution var...[Read More] Understanding the Risks of Choking: What You Need to Know
Understanding Hepatitis Transmission Risks in Home Care Situations
Infectious disease inquiries? Hello, Dr. Hsiao. Due to my father-in-law being hospitalized recently, we hired a caregiver from the hospital to take care of him. Now that he has been discharged, she has come to live with us. My mother-in-law is also here, but the previous caregive...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Min: 1. The hepatitis C virus primarily transmits through blood entering the body via skin or mucous membranes. Therefore, sharing contaminated needles, syringes, or receiving contaminated blood, blood products, or using inadequately sterilized instruments can lead to i...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis Transmission Risks in Home Care Situations
Persistent Fever of 38°C for a Month: Seeking Answers Beyond Basic Tests
Persistent fever of 38 degrees Celsius for one month? I started having a fever in early April. The first emergency diagnosis was a urinary tract infection, but I didn't have any other discomfort aside from the fever. I was prescribed antibiotics and antipyretics, but the fev...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, you have been experiencing elevated body temperature for over a month, and it is indeed necessary to undergo further evaluation. It is recommended that you visit a large hospital's infectious disease department to assess whether there may still be non-infectious cause...[Read More] Persistent Fever of 38°C for a Month: Seeking Answers Beyond Basic Tests
Understanding Persistent Low-Grade Fever and Immune System Concerns
Mild fever with elevated body temperature? Hello Doctor, since April 22, my body temperature has been elevated, with ear temperature around 37-37.5 degrees Celsius. The next day, I visited a pulmonologist, and I had increased sputum production in my lungs, so I was prescribed med...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, the primary cause of fever is still likely to be an infection. If the fever persists, other causes should also be investigated. It is advisable to have an evaluation by an infectious disease specialist. Online consultations are not equivalent to in-person medical visits an...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Low-Grade Fever and Immune System Concerns
Understanding Body Temperature Variations: Do I Have a Fever?
Temperature issues I was holding in my urine and had a cup of hot soy milk before going to the restroom. A colleague measured my temperature (using an infrared thermometer) and the first reading was 37.6°C. After that, I measured a few more times: 37.1°C, 36.6°C, 37.3°C, and 36.9...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! Forehead temperature measurements can be easily affected by the distance and environmental factors. It is recommended that you confirm your body temperature using another method. If you feel unwell, please seek medical attention promptly.[Read More] Understanding Body Temperature Variations: Do I Have a Fever?
Discrepancy Between Forehead and Ear Temperature: What to Do?
The significant difference between forehead temperature and ear temperature? In recent days, I have been measuring my ear temperature at home, which is around 36.9 degrees Celsius. Due to the current pandemic, I need to have my forehead temperature checked whenever I go to public...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. ABC: 1. Methods for measuring body temperature include rectal, oral, axillary, tympanic, and temporal measurements, with rectal temperature being the closest to the body's true internal temperature. The central body temperature is approximately 37 to 38 degrees Cel...[Read More] Discrepancy Between Forehead and Ear Temperature: What to Do?
Understanding the Contagiousness of Chickenpox and Blister Infections
The contagiousness of blisters? Hello, doctor. Recently, our school has switched to remote learning due to confirmed cases. Just the day before yesterday, a friend in the dormitory showed me that there was a chickenpox infection on their floor, so they started disinfecting again....
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Gina: 1. Chickenpox (Varicella) refers to the disease caused by the initial infection with the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is most commonly seen in children under the age of 10, although it can occasionally occur in young adults. The early symptoms resemble thos...[Read More] Understanding the Contagiousness of Chickenpox and Blister Infections
Should You Worry About Dengue Fever from Mosquito Bites in Taiwan?
Mosquito-borne diseases Hello, Doctor. I would like to ask if I should be concerned about dengue fever after being bitten by mosquitoes in Taiwan. My father is Japanese, and I have been living in Osaka since middle school, only returning to Taiwan during the Lunar New Year to vis...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! Taiwan is located in a subtropical region, characterized by a hot and humid environment, which is ideal for mosquito breeding, making it a high-risk area for dengue fever outbreaks. Dengue fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitte...[Read More] Should You Worry About Dengue Fever from Mosquito Bites in Taiwan?
Recognizing Early Signs of Rabies: What to Watch for During the Incubation Period
Dear Dr. Hsiao: If a patient unfortunately contracts rabies, are there any unusual signs that can be detected during the incubation period before the onset of early symptoms? In 2017, a female patient in Xi'an, China, experienced frequent urination, urgency, numbness in the ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
In 2017, a female patient in Xi'an, China, developed frequent urination, urgency, numbness in the leg where she was bitten by a dog, and back pain after more than 20 days post-bite. After seeing local orthopedic and urology specialists without improvement, her condition wors...[Read More] Recognizing Early Signs of Rabies: What to Watch for During the Incubation Period
Understanding Rabies Risks After a Dog Scratch: What You Need to Know
Questions related to rabies! Dear Doctor: About 20 days ago, I was lightly scratched by a dog that was being kept by someone. The scratch broke the skin but did not bleed, and there was a small red mark. I did not take any special measures, only applying some Mentholatum. I am un...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Luka: 1. Generally speaking, if the dog or cat that bit or scratched you has been regularly vaccinated against rabies, then the patient should be fine. However, if the dog or cat has not been vaccinated regularly, it is recommended to isolate and observe the animal for ...[Read More] Understanding Rabies Risks After a Dog Scratch: What You Need to Know