Understanding Fever Symptoms in Acute and Drug-Induced Hepatitis
Drug-induced hepatitis Hello, doctor! I would like to inquire whether acute hepatitis and drug-induced hepatitis commonly present with fever as a symptom. My father recently had regular blood tests at a major hospital's hematology department. Four days before his follow-up a...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
First, a thorough examination of imaging studies and blood cultures should be conducted at the hospital to understand the relationship between the hepatitis and fever.[Read More] Understanding Fever Symptoms in Acute and Drug-Induced Hepatitis
Occasional Left Upper Abdominal Pain: Causes and Concerns Explained
Occasional sharp or cramping pain in the upper left abdomen? Since yesterday, I have been experiencing occasional sharp or cramping pain in the upper left abdomen near the rib cage, with varying intervals. I had an abdominal ultrasound two months ago, which showed mild fatty live...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Further observation is recommended. If symptoms worsen or there is significant weight loss, consider further examination.[Read More] Occasional Left Upper Abdominal Pain: Causes and Concerns Explained
Understanding Right-Sided Lower Back Pain: When to Seek Medical Advice
Right-sided lower back pain? I apologize for the interruption. Since I started staying up late to study for exams in middle school, I would even pull all-nighters. Afterward, I would occasionally experience sharp pain in my lower right back that lasts for about a day, but then it...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: The liver does not have pain receptors, so inflammation will not present any symptoms unless it is in a very severe state. Your condition is likely not serious. Instead, you should pay attention to whether your sitting posture is correct or if you have been sitting for a l...[Read More] Understanding Right-Sided Lower Back Pain: When to Seek Medical Advice
Is Ascites Always a Sign of Cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients?
If my mother has hepatitis C, does the presence of ascites necessarily indicate cirrhosis? Hello, doctor. My mother had slightly elevated hepatitis C levels three months ago. However, she underwent blood tests, ultrasound, and fetal protein tests at the hospital, all of which wer...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Cooperate with the gastroenterology outpatient clinic for diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment. Simple initial-stage cirrhosis with ascites is not difficult to manage; please follow the physician's medication regimen and limit salt intake.[Read More] Is Ascites Always a Sign of Cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients?
Understanding Pale Stool: When to Seek Medical Advice
The color of feces? Hello doctor, a couple of days ago in the morning after using the restroom, I noticed that the appearance of my stool was off-white, but when I wiped, the color on the toilet paper was a normal yellow-brown. I haven't taken any medications recently, and m...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: The normal color of stool is typically yellow, which results from the action of bile and gastrointestinal bacteria. If the stool is grayish-white, it indicates that bile is not able to flow properly into the gastrointestinal tract to form normally colored stool. Liver, gal...[Read More] Understanding Pale Stool: When to Seek Medical Advice
Should I Delay My Abdominal Ultrasound Due to COVID-19 Concerns?
I would like to inquire about abdominal ultrasound examination? Hello Doctor, I am a carrier of hepatitis B and regularly go to the hospital for abdominal ultrasound examinations. My last check-up was around mid-September of last year, and I was originally scheduled to return f...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
You should discuss with your doctor when it would be appropriate to schedule the examination.[Read More] Should I Delay My Abdominal Ultrasound Due to COVID-19 Concerns?
Understanding Liver Function Tests: What Your ALT and AST Levels Mean
Liver function inquiry? Hello Dr. Chen, my blood test results show an ALT of 47 and an AST of 24. Three months ago and six months ago, my ALT levels were 61 and 45, respectively. The doctor also tested for hepatitis B and C, and there were no issues. I would like to ask if these ...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Liver-protective medications may not be necessary, but it is important to actively lose weight, primarily through dietary control (reducing caloric intake) and supplemented by exercise, aiming for a weight loss of 3-5%.[Read More] Understanding Liver Function Tests: What Your ALT and AST Levels Mean
Persistent Abdominal Pain: Understanding Your Symptoms and Next Steps
There has been a dull pain in the lower left abdomen and the upper right abdomen for more than three months? Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing intermittent pain in my left lower abdomen and right upper abdomen for over three months (the pain in the right upper abdomen is mor...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: Some discomfort may not necessarily indicate an issue with the organs, but rather a functional problem. If you have already undergone gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and ultrasound without any significant abnormalities, it may be necessary to improve your condition through emoti...[Read More] Persistent Abdominal Pain: Understanding Your Symptoms and Next Steps
Understanding Mild Yellowing of the Eyes: Is It a Sign of Liver Issues?
Slightly yellow sclera? Hello doctor, I recently had blood tests and my liver enzyme levels were at 150. The urine test showed normal bilirubin levels, but a few days later, I noticed that the whites of my eyes were slightly yellow, although not very noticeable. Could this be rel...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
It is possible; please return for a follow-up appointment to check the bilirubin levels.[Read More] Understanding Mild Yellowing of the Eyes: Is It a Sign of Liver Issues?
Understanding Hepatitis B Transmission Risks from Blood Exposure
Hepatitis B transmission issues? Hello, I would like to ask you a question. I am a carrier of hepatitis B. If I use a tissue to wipe blood, and the tissue particles disperse and potentially stick to clothing or other people's belongings, is there a risk of hepatitis B infect...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood, requiring the presence of an open wound in the other person; therefore, in general situations, there is no need to worry about transmission.[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B Transmission Risks from Blood Exposure
Understanding Right Abdominal Swelling: Is It Colorectal Cancer?
Abdominal concerns? There is noticeable swelling in the abdomen to the right of the navel, more pronounced than on the left side. At night, when lying down, bowel sounds are particularly loud, to the point that people nearby can hear them, and this is not just a brief occurrence ...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: The liver is located on the right side of the body, so the left and right sides are naturally not symmetrical, especially when experiencing bloating. There is no need to worry excessively about colon cancer at this point; it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist f...[Read More] Understanding Right Abdominal Swelling: Is It Colorectal Cancer?
Understanding Surface Antibodies and Relapse Risks After Hepatitis B Treatment
Taking Huilei (Rituximab) can lead to the production of surface antibodies. The likelihood of relapse after discontinuing the medication? Hello: Four years ago, I started taking entecavir due to acute hepatitis. In January of this year, my E antigen turned negative, and the other...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: Currently, the National Health Insurance recommends that patients with e-antigen positive hepatitis B who turn negative require one year of consolidation therapy. The presence of S-antigen turning negative and the production of S-antibodies in patients infected with hepati...[Read More] Understanding Surface Antibodies and Relapse Risks After Hepatitis B Treatment
Persistent Left Upper Abdominal Pressure: Causes and Solutions
There has been a persistent sensation of a foreign body and pressure in the left upper abdomen and under the rib cage for nearly two months? Hello Dr. Chen, I have been troubled by a sensation of pressure and tightness from a foreign body in my left upper abdomen for quite some t...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Cancer and other causes can be ruled out, so please rest assured. If necessary, medication can be used to control the symptoms.[Read More] Persistent Left Upper Abdominal Pressure: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Your Abdominal CT Scan Results: What Do White Spots Mean?
Liver CT results? Hello, doctor. I recently underwent an abdominal CT scan with contrast injection, and the results showed that the liver appeared hypodense with some bright white spots and a few dark shadows. What does this result indicate? Thank you.
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Without imaging, it cannot be interpreted. Please discuss further with your attending physician.[Read More] Understanding Your Abdominal CT Scan Results: What Do White Spots Mean?
Does Fasting Affect Blood Test Results for Hepatitis C Treatment?
Hepatitis C testing issues? Doctor, I would like to ask you about my mother who has hepatitis C. Today, she went to the hospital for a follow-up appointment to check her report, so she did not fast specifically for this visit. Her attending physician arranged for blood tests requ...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Testing the viral load in the blood does not require fasting.[Read More] Does Fasting Affect Blood Test Results for Hepatitis C Treatment?
Understanding Liver Hemangiomas: Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Concerns
Hepatic hemangioma issues? In August 2018, an abdominal ultrasound at the clinic revealed a 2.2 cm liver tumor, mild fatty liver, and a 0.4 cm gallbladder polyp. Tests for hepatitis B and C were conducted, and both liver function tests and alpha-fetoprotein (cancer marker) were n...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
1. Rarely increases. 2. Not often missed. 3. Common artifacts; please cooperate with follow-up.[Read More] Understanding Liver Hemangiomas: Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Concerns
Understanding Elevated GPT Levels: Should You See a Family Doctor?
Abnormal findings in health check report GPT? Hello Doctor, I recently received my employee health check report for October, which shows a GPT level of 38 (the report states normal range: 10-35). Five years ago, my GPT level was 21. I found that the normal range for GPT is below ...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Follow up in three months. If overweight or diagnosed with fatty liver, prioritize weight loss.[Read More] Understanding Elevated GPT Levels: Should You See a Family Doctor?
Understanding Hepatitis B Recovery: Why Ongoing Monitoring is Essential
Hepatitis B testing issues? Doctor, I previously had the following test results: HBsAg(-), HBeAg(-), HBcIgG(+). Today, I followed up on my hepatitis B and paid out of pocket for the HBsAb antibody test, which came back positive (399). Other tests for AFP, ALT, and AST were also n...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: HBsAg(-) HBsAb(+) HBcIgG(+) indicates a past infection with hepatitis B, and the individual has now cleared the infection and has antibodies to protect against hepatitis B. However, if someone was a long-term hepatitis B carrier, regardless of whether they have achieved fu...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B Recovery: Why Ongoing Monitoring is Essential
Understanding Jaundice and Sepsis in Liver Disease Management
Jaundice and sepsis? The elder has developed cirrhosis and ascites due to chronic alcoholism after retirement. Although he was supposed to have regular follow-ups, he did not return to the hospital on schedule. On November 17, he was urgently admitted due to a high fever, and the...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
The condition is complex; please discuss it further with the attending physician.[Read More] Understanding Jaundice and Sepsis in Liver Disease Management
Persistent Gastrointestinal Issues: When to Seek Further Medical Help
If you have been experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort for nearly a year and have already undergone an endoscopy with no issues found, it is advisable to seek further medical evaluation. You may consider consulting a gastroenterologist for a comprehensive assessment. They may ...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
If there is continuous weight loss or a positive fecal occult blood test, further specialized examinations of the small intestine and other areas are necessary, and a visit to a medical center specializing in small intestine diseases is required.[Read More] Persistent Gastrointestinal Issues: When to Seek Further Medical Help