Understanding Liver Nodules: MRI Insights and Diagnosis Clarification
Liver MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Hello Doctor, I had a CT scan that showed a liver nodule measuring 1.6 cm. The doctor arranged for a whole-body PET scan, which reported no significant metastasis or tumors. When I consulted with the doctor, he mentioned that the shape of th...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. It should be noted that in cases of fatty liver, some normal tissues may appear very similar to tumors when accompanied by fatty liver tissue; this is quite common. 2. It is presumed that the likelihood of it being benign is higher. 3. Yes, distinguishing between benign...[Read More] Understanding Liver Nodules: MRI Insights and Diagnosis Clarification
Risk of Infection from Blood Exposure During Vaccination: What You Need to Know
Blood infection Hello, doctor. Following up on the previous question, during vaccination, due to the high number of people, the nurse did not follow the standard disinfection procedures. It was also noticed that there was blood on her hands (unknown whose it was) during the injec...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers have been busy administering vaccines, which may lead to lapses in following standard disinfection protocols; however, wearing gloves and practicing proper hand hygiene can suffice. 2. Even in the case of HIV-positive individu...[Read More] Risk of Infection from Blood Exposure During Vaccination: What You Need to Know
Understanding Sudden Decline in Kidney Function: Causes and Concerns
Acute decline in renal function? At the end of the year, my health check revealed a blood urea nitrogen level of 13, creatinine level of 1.7, urine protein negative, specific gravity of 1.030, and blood pressure of 126/71. Over the past years, my health check results have remaine...
Dr. Wu Jiyu Reply:
According to your inquiry: 1. If the health check has confirmed low vitamin D levels, please proceed with vitamin D supplementation. 2. If you experienced diarrhea about a month prior to the health check, it is indeed possible that dehydration may have caused changes in kidney fu...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Decline in Kidney Function: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: MRI Findings and Future Implications
Nuclear vibration report issues? Hello Doctor: My son is 19 years old. A year and a half ago, he started experiencing pain in the sacroiliac joint, and recently, through MRI and other examinations, he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. The following English portion is the...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, bone marrow edema indicates a localized inflammatory response. Regardless of whether it is treated or stabilizes on its own, bone marrow edema will resolve, making it reversible. Once healed, there will be residual signs of previous inflammation on the bone, known as subch...[Read More] Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: MRI Findings and Future Implications
Effective Treatment Strategies for Ankylosing Spondylitis in Young Patients
Treatment methods My son is currently 18 years old and began experiencing symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis two years ago, with a diagnosis made one year ago. I have the following questions: 1) For the past six months, my son has been taking two capsules of Celebrex (200 mg ea...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1) It is effective, and it is recommended to continue taking it while adjusting the dosage over time. 2) Do not consider switching to immunomodulators for now. 3) Only if CRP/ESR remains high after medication can one apply for biologics. 4) SIMPONI is not suitable for children un...[Read More] Effective Treatment Strategies for Ankylosing Spondylitis in Young Patients
Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines on Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
COVID-19 Vaccines and Inflammatory Markers Hello Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and have been taking Secukinumab for a year. My inflammatory markers were under control, but after receiving the first dose of the BNT vaccine on September 27, I noticed an increas...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1) In outpatient experience, there have been cases where inflammation markers worsened after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, with literature reporting approximately 5%. 2) This has been observed in various rheumatic patients and with different vaccines. 3) The duration of the imp...[Read More] Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines on Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Understanding Sudden Decline in Kidney Function: Causes and Solutions
What could cause a sudden decline in kidney function? In mid-December last year, my health check revealed a blood urea nitrogen level of 13, creatinine level of 1.7, uric acid level of 6.9, pH of 6, urine protein negative, specific gravity of 1.030, and blood pressure of 126/71. ...
Dr. Wu Jiyu Reply:
1. The presence or absence of proteinuria is determined by testing, and your urine protein result is negative (-). If you are still concerned, you can ask your physician to check the urine protein to creatinine ratio next time. 2. In mid-December, your creatinine level was 1.7, ...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Decline in Kidney Function: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Blood in Stool: Causes and Concerns After Straining
Rectal bleeding Two days ago, I had difficulty eating due to a tooth extraction, which made it hard for me to have a bowel movement. I spent an hour in the bathroom and eventually managed to pass a stool, but I had to strain a lot, and since the stool was quite large, I experienc...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello: Based on what you described, it does sound like internal hemorrhoid bleeding. Internal hemorrhoids are typically painless, and fresh blood may cover the surface of the stool, while the stool itself remains normal in color. If you have a history of hemorrhoids, it is advisa...[Read More] Understanding Blood in Stool: Causes and Concerns After Straining
Concerns About Bloodborne Disease Transmission During Blood Draws
During blood draw, healthcare personnel directly touch the bleeding wound? Today, I went to the hospital for a blood draw to perform a glucose tolerance test, which required four blood draws within two hours. However, during the fourth blood draw, when the healthcare worker remov...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, typically after drawing blood from a patient, healthcare personnel will disinfect their hands with alcohol before drawing from the next patient, so it should not lead to the transmission of infectious diseases. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Concerns About Bloodborne Disease Transmission During Blood Draws
Thyroid Medication for Pregnant Women: Concerns and Considerations
Pregnant women with thyroid conditions taking Antithyroid medication? Hello Doctor, I would like to briefly summarize my medical history. During middle school, I developed benign thyroid nodules and underwent a partial thyroidectomy, removing three-quarters of my thyroid. My th...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. The nutritional benefits of seafood can be obtained from other food sources, so it is advisable to temporarily avoid seafood. This should not significantly impact fetal development. 2. All seafood contains different components, so it is quite common to suddenly disc...[Read More] Thyroid Medication for Pregnant Women: Concerns and Considerations
Risk of Infection from Blood Exposure During Blood Draws: What You Should Know
#177943 During blood draw, healthcare personnel directly touched the bleeding wound? Thank you for the doctor's response earlier. However, I would like to ask, if the nurse did not properly perform hand hygiene and, as mentioned in the previous question, had fresh blood from...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, viruses can only survive in living cells. Dried blood does not support the survival of the HIV virus, so the scenario you proposed would not lead to infection. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Risk of Infection from Blood Exposure During Blood Draws: What You Should Know
Understanding Brief Ear Vibrations: Should You Be Concerned?
Transient auditory vibrations? Hello Doctor, while I was watching TV in the afternoon, I suddenly experienced a sensation in my right ear that felt like the eardrum vibrating for about 3-5 seconds. However, it went away after I exhaled and stood up. I would like to know if this i...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, there is a passage between the ear and the nasal cavity called the Eustachian tube, which has a valve that regulates the pressure between the middle ear and the nasal cavity. If there is a sudden change in posture or pressure, the middle ear may not be able to adjust to th...[Read More] Understanding Brief Ear Vibrations: Should You Be Concerned?
Understanding HIV Antigen Testing: Clarifying Misconceptions and Feedback
Continuation #177811 HIV Infection Doctor, you explained everything very clearly and responded quite quickly. I really want to give you a five-star rating for both satisfaction and response, but I accidentally submitted the wrong rating due to my clumsiness. I wonder if there is ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the HIV virus cannot survive outside of cells for an extended period on surfaces like test strips. Most cells die quickly, making it difficult for the virus to remain viable, so it has almost no infectious potential. Thank you for your inquiry regarding satisfaction; I app...[Read More] Understanding HIV Antigen Testing: Clarifying Misconceptions and Feedback
Understanding Sudden Red Rashes on the Torso: Causes and Concerns
Sudden rash on the torso? Hello, Dr. Lin. Two nights ago, I noticed some red rashes on my abdomen. When I woke up the next morning, the rashes had increased in number, extending from my abdomen to both sides of my waist and the sides of my chest. There are no rashes on my back, b...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello! There are many possible causes for this type of skin rash, so it's advisable to visit a dermatologist for a more accurate assessment. Generally, allergic rashes tend to be itchy, so if the rash is not itchy, we should consider infections, heat-related issues, or syste...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Red Rashes on the Torso: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Unexplained Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Unexplained chest pain? I have been doing physical labor, specifically moving goods, and for the past month, I have been going to bed late and waking up early. I started experiencing chest pain in a fixed location, which has been a mild discomfort for a week. Sometimes the pain i...
Dr. He Yonghe Reply:
Hello, Student Pan. Lifting heavy objects may cause muscle strains, so it is advisable not to lift anything too heavy. If you experience persistent chest pain, you should go to the hospital for an examination.[Read More] Understanding Unexplained Chest Pain: Causes and When to Seek Help
Does COVID-19 Vaccination Worsen Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms?
Will getting the COVID-19 vaccine worsen the condition of ankylosing spondylitis? Hello Doctor: My child is a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and has been taking Secukinumab for a year. The inflammatory markers have been under control. On September 27, he received the first d...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: 1) In your clinical experience, how common is it for patients with rheumatic diseases to experience worsening conditions after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine? --> I only have personal experience and no national statist...[Read More] Does COVID-19 Vaccination Worsen Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms?
Understanding HIV Anxiety: Risks and Testing Concerns Explained
HIV infection Doctor, I sincerely apologize for bothering you. However, I feel like I have been experiencing quite severe anxiety related to the fear of intimacy. Over three months ago, I was splashed by toilet water in a public restroom, and later, I purchased a rapid HIV test k...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and needle sharing. The situations you mentioned are not recognized transmission routes for HIV, and there have been no reported cases of HIV infection due to the scenarios you hypothesized. Please do not worry, and thank...[Read More] Understanding HIV Anxiety: Risks and Testing Concerns Explained
Can I Take Cialis 5mg After Blood Pressure Medication?
Can I use Cialis 5mg while taking antihypertensive medication for blood pressure control? A 66-year-old patient taking Lisinopril in the morning for blood pressure control can take 5 mg of Cialis (Tadalafil) after dinner in the evening. However, it is important to monitor for any...
Dr. Lin Wuxuan Reply:
Hello: When using both medications together, it is important to monitor blood pressure. If there are any abnormalities in blood pressure, you should consult your healthcare provider. If there are no blood pressure abnormalities, there should be no significant concerns about using...[Read More] Can I Take Cialis 5mg After Blood Pressure Medication?
Concerns About HIV Infection After Blood Glucose Testing: What You Need to Know
Fear of contracting HIV/AIDS? Hello, doctor! I just went to the pharmacy to buy a blood glucose meter, and the pharmacist was helping me test it. He said there were no lancets inside, so he tried it on himself first, and then it was my turn to try. I ended up bleeding! I realized...
Dr. Lin Wuxuan Reply:
Hello: If you and the pharmacy staff have both been pricked by the same needle, it is recommended to visit the family medicine outpatient department at a hospital. Please inform the attending physician of your situation in detail; they will arrange appropriate tests and follow-up...[Read More] Concerns About HIV Infection After Blood Glucose Testing: What You Need to Know
Understanding a 1.6 cm Liver Nodule: Implications and Next Steps
Liver nodule measuring 1.6 centimeters? On October 19, 2021, an abdominal ultrasound revealed: Liver: moderate degree of increased echogenicity of the liver parenchyma compared to the kidney. A hypoechoic zone at the gallbladder fossa, possibly due to focal sparing. Intrahepatic ...
Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: There is a 1.6 cm liver nodule on the right side of the liver. What is the nature of this lesion? It is advisable to follow up with a hepatobiliary and gastroenterology specialist for further examination. The fact that the abdominal ultrasound did not detect it may also be...[Read More] Understanding a 1.6 cm Liver Nodule: Implications and Next Steps