Should You Get a Rabies Vaccine After Animal Saliva Exposure?
If you suspect that animal saliva from a zoo animal has come into contact with your eyes, should you receive a rabies vaccine? Five days ago, while taking photos at the Taipei Zoo, I felt a liquid suddenly touch the corner of my eye while photographing an animal (likely a type of...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: Animals in the zoo generally undergo regular health check-ups, so the likelihood of contracting rabies is low, and there should be no concern about the transmission of rabies.[Read More] Should You Get a Rabies Vaccine After Animal Saliva Exposure?
Morning Hoarseness After Tonsillitis: Is It Normal?
Waking up with a hoarse voice after tonsillitis? Hello Doctor, two Fridays ago, I experienced pain when swallowing saliva and went to a clinic where I was diagnosed with tonsillitis. I took antibiotics for three days, and after finishing the course, the pain subsided. However, si...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: Your hoarseness in the morning is more likely caused by tonsillitis accompanied by laryngitis. If the hoarseness were due to cancer, it would typically be persistent and may be accompanied by pain, bleeding, difficulty swallowing, neck lumps, and other discomforts. However...[Read More] Morning Hoarseness After Tonsillitis: Is It Normal?
Understanding Chronic Nausea and Dry Heaving: Seeking Solutions
Easily feels nauseous and experiences dry heaving? Hello, doctor. I have been experiencing a symptom since elementary school where I often feel nauseous and have the urge to vomit. I have seen doctors, but no diagnosis was made. Throughout my growth, this symptom has not been con...
Dr. Liao Yaopan Reply:
Hello, it is essential to first rule out whether physiological factors are the cause. Of course, psychosomatic factors may also play a role, and the low potassium levels in your blood test could be related to unstable intake or absorption. It is advisable to consult your family p...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Nausea and Dry Heaving: Seeking Solutions
Understanding Elevated Amylase Levels: Causes and Concerns
Pancreatic amylase Hello Doctor: I recently had a blood test, and one of the items measured was amylase (normal range is 28-100 u/L). However, my report showed a level of 107 u/L. All other tests for liver and kidney function were normal. Could this indicate hyperamylasemia? I am...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: Since your amylase level is only slightly elevated above the normal range, it is more likely to be a case of simple amylase elevation (possibly related to the pancreas or salivary glands) rather than macroamylasemia. Macroamylasemia is typically associated with certain inf...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Amylase Levels: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Morning Yellow Saliva: Is It GERD or Something Else?
Waking up with yellow saliva? Recently, I've been waking up every morning with yellow saliva (it feels like it's coming from my throat, and it goes away after drinking water). Occasionally, my throat feels swollen, but I can be sure that it’s not caused by a cold. I men...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
It is recommended that you visit a family medicine or gastroenterology clinic for evaluation. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding Morning Yellow Saliva: Is It GERD or Something Else?
Can You Catch Hepatitis or Other Diseases from Saliva?
Salivary transmission I would like to ask if using a cup that has been licked by a stranger's preschool child could lead to the transmission of hepatitis or other diseases spread through saliva. I'm really worried.
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! Diseases that can be transmitted through saliva typically fall under fecal-oral transmission or droplet transmission. The risk of infection through mere contact is low. Preventive measures include frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with the eyes, mouth, and nose.[Read More] Can You Catch Hepatitis or Other Diseases from Saliva?
Rabies Concerns: What to Do After a Stray Cat Scratch
Rabies Issues Hello, doctor. There is a stray cat that was drooling, meowing loudly, and acting erratically yesterday, unable to stay still and moving around a lot. Today, it hasn't shown up at all (it used to come out on time for meals and was never aggressive). While obser...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. Symptoms of rabies infection in cats include agitation, excessive salivation, photophobia, and hiding in dark places, among others. Typically, symptoms appear 2 to 4 days before the onset of paralysis and death. Although your stray cat exhibits similar symptoms, rabie...[Read More] Rabies Concerns: What to Do After a Stray Cat Scratch
Understanding Sudden Dry Mouth: Causes and Concerns
Sudden dry mouth? Hello Doctor, this afternoon while drinking water, I suddenly felt my mouth very dry, and the saliva foam was more than usual. Even after drinking water, it did not alleviate. I have been feeling quite anxious about it. Besides the dry mouth, I have no other sym...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! Dry mouth can be a side effect of medication, and it will gradually resolve after discontinuing the medication. You may also want to check if you are dehydrated and consider replenishing fluids in small amounts multiple times.[Read More] Understanding Sudden Dry Mouth: Causes and Concerns
Morning Saliva Discoloration: Causes and Health Implications
Waking up with yellow saliva? Hello Doctor: Recently, I have noticed that when I wake up in the morning, my saliva is yellowish. I'm not quite sure if it has a bitter taste. After I brush my teeth and drink water, this issue disappears. Could this be related to liver, gallbl...
Dr. Ye Qianyu Reply:
Hello! Based on your description, it is possible that you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is recommended to follow a light diet and avoid overeating. If symptoms persist, please consult a gastroenterologist.[Read More] Morning Saliva Discoloration: Causes and Health Implications
Risk of Hantavirus Infection After Contact with Dead Mouse
The transmission rate of hantavirus? Yesterday morning, I had no choice but to park my scooter next to a dead rat. The rat was quite fresh and appeared to have just been crushed, with blood still oozing out. When I finished work at 5 PM, the dead rat seemed to have been moved a f...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. Diseases that may be transmitted by rodents include viruses (Hantavirus, Lassa virus, Arenavirus, etc.), bacteria (plague, rat-bite fever, Salmonella, Leptospira, endemic typhus, etc.), and parasites (Toxoplasma, Coccidia, Echinococcus, Amoeba, etc.). If you have come i...[Read More] Risk of Hantavirus Infection After Contact with Dead Mouse
Excessive Saliva Production: Which Specialist Should You Consult?
Excessive salivation issue? If there is excessive saliva production that severely affects daily life, which specialty should one consult? Family medicine? Otolaryngology? Dentistry? Or traditional Chinese medicine? Will the doctor also examine the parotid gland, sublingual gland,...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: Excessive saliva secretion may need to consider the following situations: 1. Abnormalities in the structure of the salivary glands, for which it is recommended to consult an otolaryngologist. 2. Abnormalities in salivary gland function, which are commonly due to medication...[Read More] Excessive Saliva Production: Which Specialist Should You Consult?
Understanding Tonsillitis: Symptoms, Treatment, and When to Seek Help
Is it possible to be diagnosed with tonsillitis? Since last Friday (12/9), swallowing saliva has not been painful, but drinking water causes throat pain. On Friday, I looked in the mirror and did not see anything unusual, but starting Saturday, swallowing saliva also became painf...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. Based on your description, it is indeed very likely that you have tonsillitis. 2. Since the symptoms of COVID-19 can manifest in various ways, it is possible to have both tonsillitis and a COVID-19 infection simultaneously, so I recommend that you take a rapid test for ...[Read More] Understanding Tonsillitis: Symptoms, Treatment, and When to Seek Help
Do You Need Approval for Paying Out-of-Pocket Rabies Vaccination?
Is it necessary to submit an application for receiving a rabies vaccine at one's own expense? Hello, Doctor. I was bitten by my neighbor's dog on the evening of July 12. Since I was wearing long pants, I only had a small bruise and a minor abrasion. The next day, I went...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Hsiao: 1. The risk of rabies in Taiwan is currently limited to wild animals in the central, southern, and eastern mountainous regions, primarily involving the badger as the main infected species, with a few cases in the white-nosed coati. The current regulation states t...[Read More] Do You Need Approval for Paying Out-of-Pocket Rabies Vaccination?
Understanding Saliva Transmission Risks: Health Concerns and Precautions
Saliva issues Hello, doctor. 1. I would like to ask if, after someone speaks and saliva lands on my belongings, wiping it off with a dry tissue and then rinsing my hands with water for about 2 seconds is sufficient for cleanliness. After that, if I rinse my mouth with water, I ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. For cleaning items, in addition to using dry paper towels, it is recommended to use alcohol or bleach solution if possible. For hand hygiene, besides rinsing with water, it is advisable to use soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 2. Diseases transmitted throu...[Read More] Understanding Saliva Transmission Risks: Health Concerns and Precautions
Chronic Bad Breath: Seeking Solutions After Decades of Discomfort
Chronic halitosis that has been a concern for several decades? Hello, doctor. I have been told that I have bad breath since the Chinese middle period, and I have been seeking the cause and solution for many years. Currently, I do not have any periodontal diseases or related oral ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: Common causes of halitosis include oral diseases (including tonsillitis), respiratory diseases (including nasopharyngitis), gastrointestinal diseases, kidney diseases, and liver diseases. Based on your description, the examinations of the aforementioned organs seem to be n...[Read More] Chronic Bad Breath: Seeking Solutions After Decades of Discomfort
Concerns About Saliva Exposure While Riding a Motorcycle
Saliva issues and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? 1. There are many people riding bikes without masks on the road now. When I pass by them, I often worry that they might suddenly spit on me, my hair, or my helmet because I am shorter. However, while riding, I can't chec...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. The main concern about coming into contact with someone else's saliva is the potential transmission of diseases through respiratory droplets, such as COVID-19, influenza, etc. 2. People who spit while riding a bike are likely to be a minority with poor hygiene habi...[Read More] Concerns About Saliva Exposure While Riding a Motorcycle
How Long Can Rabies Virus Survive Outside the Body?
The survival time of the rabies virus outside the host? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask how long the rabies virus can survive at room temperature (such as 29 degrees Celsius) or in the air? Can the virus survive in water? Is it possible to wash away the virus with just water? ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. The rabies virus survives in air and water for only a few hours. 2. Rinsing with clean water can wash away the virus, but if the infection occurs through a wound, the virus may have already entered the body, making the effectiveness of rinsing less ideal. 3. Rabies is p...[Read More] How Long Can Rabies Virus Survive Outside the Body?
Understanding Hiccups After Meals: Causes and Treatment Options
Hiccups after eating? Hello doctor, I've been having gastrointestinal issues lately. I've noticed that when I eat, I experience burping, and sometimes during the burp, food comes up to my throat, just around my neck area. Because I'm afraid of vomiting the food, I ...
Dr. Lin Zhebin Reply:
Hello: 1. Based on your description, it is highly likely that you are experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 2. It is advisable to pay attention to whether certain foods trigger symptoms such as burping or discomfort. Common culprits include: coffee, processed sweet...[Read More] Understanding Hiccups After Meals: Causes and Treatment Options
Persistent Neck Discomfort: Causes and Solutions for Swelling and Pain
Swelling in the front of the neck on both sides and centrally, near the clavicle, with discomfort, tenderness upon palpation, pain while swallowing, and a dry cough without sputum. Symptoms worsen from afternoon to evening? On May 1, I experienced discomfort on the right side of ...
Dr. Liu Hongxiang Reply:
Dear Ms. Fi, Thank you for your detailed account of your current health status. According to your letter, you have seen a physician three times, but your symptoms persist. I would recommend that you consult an otolaryngologist again to assess your condition and determine if furt...[Read More] Persistent Neck Discomfort: Causes and Solutions for Swelling and Pain
Rabies Risk After Contact with Animal Remains: What You Need to Know
Regarding rabies exposure? Recently, I went to Shuo Creek in Taitung and discovered an animal carcass submerged in the water (the body was already skeletal but still had some soft tissue). Out of curiosity, I touched the carcass, and since I have a habit of biting my lips, I only...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Chen: 1. According to the announcement from the Centers for Disease Control on May 3, 2019, exposure to wild mammals (such as badgers, civets, Taitung money mice, bats, etc.) with an exposure level of Category II (inclusive) or higher requires immediate medical attentio...[Read More] Rabies Risk After Contact with Animal Remains: What You Need to Know