Choking on Saliva: Risks of Aspiration and When to Seek Help
Choking on saliva while swallowing, leading to difficulty breathing? About twenty minutes ago, I choked on my own saliva. This isn't the first time it has happened; each time, I cough to the point where I feel like I can't breathe and I'm close to suffocating. This...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Our trachea is quite sensitive, and even if we choke on water, it is often just a small amount that can be coughed out quickly. The amount of saliva is even less, making it unlikely to choke on a large volume of water, so there is no need to wo...[Read More] Choking on Saliva: Risks of Aspiration and When to Seek Help
Post-COVID Joint Pain: Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Early Diagnosis
Joint pain after a confirmed COVID-19 infection? Hello Doctor, I apologize for the lengthy message. I started feeling unwell on November 11th (muscle aches, fever, fatigue, red rashes on limbs, dry eyes, dry mouth). I was diagnosed with COVID-19 on November 13th. On November 16th...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: 1. Since the joint discomfort clearly occurred after the blood draw, could it be that the inflammatory markers, ANA, and other indices had not yet shown abnormal trends at that time, and only now can we detect abnormaliti...[Read More] Post-COVID Joint Pain: Understanding Symptoms and Seeking Early Diagnosis
Managing Drug Interactions in Bipolar Disorder and Thyroid Conditions
Drug interactions in bipolar disorder? TSH: 12.66. Hypothyroidism. Today, I saw a metabolic specialist who prescribed Eltroxin. I am currently using glaucoma eye drops: Tafluprost and Brimonidine, and I am taking medications for bipolar disorder: Divalproex Sodium and Lithium. Sh...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
Please take the thyroid hormone on an empty stomach in the morning, and do not take it with other medications. Thank you for your inquiry.[Read More] Managing Drug Interactions in Bipolar Disorder and Thyroid Conditions
Risk of HIV Transmission from Sharing Ice Cream with an Infected Person
The risk of transmission when sharing a bowl of ice with a person living with HIV? Hello doctor, I would like to ask if there is a risk of infection if I shared a bowl of ice with someone who is HIV positive. They had their wisdom teeth removed two days ago, and I am not sure if ...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
According to the disease control tree data, there are three main routes of HIV transmission: 1. Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse or other exchanges of bodily fluids with an HIV-infected individual carries a risk of infection. 2. Blood transmissi...[Read More] Risk of HIV Transmission from Sharing Ice Cream with an Infected Person
Risk of HIV Infection from Contact with Dried Blood: What You Need to Know
HIV infection Hello, Doctor: If there is a scratch on my leg (suspected to be bleeding) that comes into contact with a blood stain on a bedsheet (approximately within a small square area of 1cm x 1cm) and the affected area (the scratched area) is in contact with the blood stain w...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
According to the Centers for Disease Control data, there are three main routes of HIV transmission: 1. Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse or other exchanges of bodily fluids with an HIV-infected individual carries the risk of infection. 2. Blood t...[Read More] Risk of HIV Infection from Contact with Dried Blood: What You Need to Know
Experiencing Sudden Foot Pain: When to See a Doctor?
Suspected needle stick injury? Two days ago, while walking on the road, I felt a sudden pain in my foot, as if I had been pricked by a needle. Which type of doctor should I see for this, and what should I do to manage it?
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. You can first check what was collected by yourself or ask a family member to help, remove any foreign objects, and then perform wound care. 2. If the wound does not improve, you may visit a nearby medical facility for dressing changes or further treatment.[Read More] Experiencing Sudden Foot Pain: When to See a Doctor?
Understanding Your MRI Report: Is It Ankylosing Spondylitis?
I would like to inquire about the MRI report of the sacroiliac joint? Since June, the patient has been experiencing lower back pain and has taken Celecoxib and Sulfasalazine for two weeks without improvement. Blood tests showed: SER: 3, CRP: 0.02. The MRI report dated September 8...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. The MRI findings are not typical for ankylosing spondylitis, and given that your inflammatory markers are not significantly elevated and your symptoms have not responded well to anti-inflammatory medications, I recommend discussing this further ...[Read More] Understanding Your MRI Report: Is It Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Understanding Abnormal ANA and Complement Levels: Causes and Next Steps
Antinuclear antibodies and abnormalities in complement levels C3 and C4? Hello Doctor, my wife has had abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA) levels in her blood tests over the past few years (both AC-1 and AC-4 are affected), with titers fluctuating between a maximum of 1:320 and a...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. The presence of abnormal ANA along with decreased C3 and C4 levels suggests a higher likelihood of an autoimmune disease. C3 and C4 are produced by the liver, and generally, they increase in response to stress or infection. However, in cases of...[Read More] Understanding Abnormal ANA and Complement Levels: Causes and Next Steps
Managing Edema: Concerns About Diuretics and Rising Uric Acid Levels
Discontinuation of diuretics can lead to edema? Hello, Doctor. About a month ago, I visited a clinic due to lower limb edema, and the doctor prescribed Rasitol 40 mg, one tablet daily. After taking it, the diuretic effect was quite good, and the edema improved. However, once I st...
Dr. Wu Hongjie Reply:
There are many causes of edema. Please visit the relevant specialty clinic to identify the underlying cause. Self-medicating with diuretics will not address the root issue. There are various types of diuretics; for example, thiazide diuretics can lead to elevated uric acid levels...[Read More] Managing Edema: Concerns About Diuretics and Rising Uric Acid Levels
Can Mouse Droppings Cause Severe Infections and Sepsis?
Inquire about the authenticity of this medical news article? Dear Dr. Lin, A family friend recently passed away. The elder had diabetes and felt symptoms of a urinary tract infection, so they took over-the-counter medication. That night, they developed a fever, which subsided af...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello, mice and mouse droppings naturally carry many pathogens, and contact with them can indeed lead to severe bacterial infections. However, the progression of the condition you mentioned is not uncommon in diabetic patients and may not necessarily be related to mice. It is imp...[Read More] Can Mouse Droppings Cause Severe Infections and Sepsis?
Understanding Urine Ketones: What Does a 3+ Result Mean for Your Health?
The medical examination report indicates urine ketones at 3+? Hello doctor, in April of this year, I experienced redness, swelling, and pain in my left foot, and a doctor at a clinic diagnosed it as gout (without blood tests). I have a history of gout and usually manage my diet, ...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
The production of urine ketones is usually related to prolonged fasting. Please consult a metabolic specialist. Thank you for your inquiry.[Read More] Understanding Urine Ketones: What Does a 3+ Result Mean for Your Health?
Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: Severity and Progression in Young Adults
Ankylosing Spondylitis Hello Doctor: 1. Will the degree of spinal and cervical stiffness in patients with juvenile ankylosing spondylitis be more severe compared to those who develop the condition in adulthood? (Since the onset occurs earlier.) 2. Will every patient experience sp...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1. Will the stiffness of the spine and cervical spine in patients with juvenile ankylosing spondylitis be more severe compared to adults who develop the condition later? (Since the duration of the disease is longer.) --&...[Read More] Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: Severity and Progression in Young Adults
Understanding Kidney Function Abnormalities: eGFR Decline and Management
Renal dysfunction eGFR 66, CREA 1.13, PRO Negative. No significant renal parenchymal damage, no diabetes, no hyperlipidemia, no hypertension. Currently occasionally taking Adderall, Centrum, and other medications like Heli-Tamin F50. The kidneys have cysts and stones, and there w...
Dr. Huang Yaoxuan Reply:
Please come to the outpatient clinic for evaluation.[Read More] Understanding Kidney Function Abnormalities: eGFR Decline and Management
When Can an ICU Breathing Tube Be Safely Removed?
When can the endotracheal tube be removed in the ICU? Hello Dr. Chiu, my mother is 72 years old. On October 9th, she suddenly vomited blood six times, with each episode producing approximately 300-400 cc of blood. She was treated in the emergency department, receiving four units ...
Dr. Qiu Junwei Reply:
The timing for extubation should respect the expertise of the ICU physician. If the patient has the following risks: 1. A risk of secondary bleeding, which generally requires observation for 48 to 72 hours. 2. Concerns about aspiration pneumonia resulting from the bleeding proces...[Read More] When Can an ICU Breathing Tube Be Safely Removed?
Can You Contract HIV from Contaminated Alcohol Swabs?
HIV transmission routes (injection) If the alcohol swab was placed on the table and potentially contaminated with HIV-infected blood or bodily fluids, the risk of HIV transmission through that swab is extremely low. HIV does not survive long outside the human body, and it is part...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Taiwan, there are three main routes of HIV transmission: 1. Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse or other exchanges of bodily fluids with an HIV-infected individual carries the risk of infection....[Read More] Can You Contract HIV from Contaminated Alcohol Swabs?
Does PrEP Affect HIV Testing Results? Understanding Your Risks and Concerns
Does PrEP affect HIV testing? On September 27, I took 2 PrEP pills 2 hours late, and 1.5 hours later, I engaged in unprotected oral sex as a receptive partner with deep kissing, but there was no anal intercourse. From September 28 to October 1, I took 1 pill each day. Afterward, ...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
The report is accurate, but HIV infection has a window period. A negative PCR test on day 13 does not completely rule out the possibility of HIV infection. Currently, there are no studies indicating how long after exposure a PCR test can definitively exclude HIV infection. Genera...[Read More] Does PrEP Affect HIV Testing Results? Understanding Your Risks and Concerns
Can I Pause My Salazopyrin Treatment for 2 Months? Expert Advice Needed
Regarding the issue of Seroquel medication? Hello Dr. Gao, I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. I would like to ask about the continuity of the medication Salazopyrin. I have been taking 2 tablets of Salazopyrin daily to manage my condition for a year and a half. In the fi...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. The decision to discontinue medication should be discussed with your attending physician, as they are most familiar with your condition and the changes in your CRP/ESR levels, making their decision more objective. In principle, if your conditio...[Read More] Can I Pause My Salazopyrin Treatment for 2 Months? Expert Advice Needed
Could It Be HIV? Understanding Symptoms After Unprotected Sex
Could it be HIV? Hello doctor, I had unprotected sexual intercourse with a woman yesterday. I have had a cold for three days, and the day after the unprotected intercourse, I noticed that I have swollen lymph nodes. Could this be HIV? I have never had unprotected sex before.
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
According to the data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Taiwan, there are three main routes of HIV transmission: 1. Sexual transmission: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse or any exchange of bodily fluids with an HIV-infected individual carries the risk of...[Read More] Could It Be HIV? Understanding Symptoms After Unprotected Sex
Understanding the Link Between Creatinine Levels and Hypertension Management
Hypertension and Elevated Creatinine Levels Dear Dr. Lin, Last December, my serum creatinine level was 0.78 mg/dL, with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 122.6 mL/min. I weighed 64 kg and was 170 cm tall. This October, my serum creatinine increased to 0.9 mg/dL, and my micro...
Dr. Lin Wuxuan Reply:
Please take the medication as prescribed and follow up regularly. If you have any concerns, it is advisable to schedule an earlier consultation. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding the Link Between Creatinine Levels and Hypertension Management
Understanding Recurrent Abscesses: Causes, Treatment, and Management
Recurrent abscess formation? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask you a few questions. I visited the infectious disease department on October 2nd due to an abscess and was prescribed antibiotics. Since then, the abscess has ruptured twice, but the area surrounding the abscess remai...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
1. It is likely pus that has not yet drained. 2. We need to assess the symptoms and the medication you are using to determine the next steps; I recommend coming in for an outpatient visit. 3. We need to see if the bacteria are resistant to the antibiotic or if surgical draina...[Read More] Understanding Recurrent Abscesses: Causes, Treatment, and Management