Can I Donate Blood as a Hepatitis B Carrier?
Can I donate blood? Hello, doctor. Since you are a member of the Hemodialysis Medical Association, I would like to ask you a question. I am a carrier of hepatitis B. Despite this, my health is generally good, and I often think about donating blood. However, I am concerned about t...
Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
According to the regulations of blood donation centers, individuals who are carriers of hepatitis B are not allowed to donate blood, as they can transmit the infection to others.[Read More] Can I Donate Blood as a Hepatitis B Carrier?
Effective Treatment and Prevention Strategies for Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C If it is known that one has hepatitis C, how should it be treated and what measures can be taken to prevent it from progressing to chronic hepatitis?
Dr. Chen Jingwen Reply:
Infection with hepatitis C can lead to chronic hepatitis in about half of the cases. These individuals have a risk of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer after several years. Therefore, once diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, it is essential to monitor liver function (GOT, GPT)...[Read More] Effective Treatment and Prevention Strategies for Hepatitis C
Understanding Symptoms: When to See a Specialist for Your Health Issues
Do I need to get checked? Which department should I visit? Doctor, I have been experiencing the following symptoms recently: 1. There is a black area in the middle of my tongue, approximately 2 cm long and 1 cm wide, which is not a growth but a discoloration compared to a normal ...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang Reply:
Western medicine generally does not study the tongue's appearance and coating, while Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that a thick tongue coating is mostly related to gastrointestinal disorders and, to a lesser extent, kidney diseases, which can also lead to halit...[Read More] Understanding Symptoms: When to See a Specialist for Your Health Issues
Understanding Abnormal Liver Function: Hepatitis B Treatment Options and Concerns
Abnormal liver function Hello Dr. Chen, I have some questions regarding my hepatitis issue. Recently, I had a liver function test (GOT and GPT) at a local hospital, and the doctor found that my liver function is poor, with my levels being quite high, around 270. I am a carrier of...
Dr. Chen Jingwen Reply:
1. There are specific criteria for antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B; please consult the Department of Hepatology at our hospital, Dr. Huang Mao-Sen, Dr. Chang Yu-Ting, or Dr. Liang Chia-Te. 2. Chronic hepatitis B does not pose an immediate life-threatening risk; it is i...[Read More] Understanding Abnormal Liver Function: Hepatitis B Treatment Options and Concerns
Is It Just a Common Cold? Understanding Symptoms and Risks
Is it just a common cold? Hello Dr. Lin: Recently, I visited the doctor due to feeling unwell. My symptoms include dizziness, gastrointestinal discomfort, chills, runny nose, and vomiting. The first doctor diagnosed me with a rotavirus infection but only prescribed medication for...
Dr. Lin Benpei Reply:
Dear netizen, A. Have you been consistently taking medication to manage your arrhythmia and thyroid enlargement? B. There is indeed a difference before and after you stopped taking the medication, so was your decision correct? 1. Taking multiple medications simultaneously ...[Read More] Is It Just a Common Cold? Understanding Symptoms and Risks
Understanding Liver Health: Preventing Cancer, Cirrhosis, and Jaundice
Liver Hello, Doctor: I apologize for the interruption. I would like to ask you about liver issues. 1. Liver cancer is one of the top ten causes of death. I read a section in "Preventing Liver Cancer" that states: "Preventing Chronic Hepatitis": vaccination a...
Dr. Chen Jingwen Reply:
1. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted through blood, so sharing needles or using the same razor that causes cuts and bleeding can transmit these viruses if blood enters another person's wound. Additionally, drug users sharing needles and tattooing can also lead to transmissio...[Read More] Understanding Liver Health: Preventing Cancer, Cirrhosis, and Jaundice
Understanding Hepatitis B: Risks, Prevention, and Family Considerations
Hepatitis B Hello Doctor: I would like to ask some questions regarding hepatitis B. About a year ago, I had a check-up at the hospital to see if I had antibodies for hepatitis B. Since I was vaccinated as a child (I am now 20 years old), the results showed that I had both surface...
Dr. Chen Jingwen Reply:
If you have both Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibodies, there may be a testing error or an acute infection, and you should retest to confirm the diagnosis. 1. If the Hepatitis B surface antigen is positive and your boyfriend has the same condition, then there is no risk of m...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B: Risks, Prevention, and Family Considerations
Understanding Chronic Hepatitis C: Treatment Options and Definition
Chronic treatment methods for hepatitis C include antiviral medications such as direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), which can effectively cure the infection. Treatment regimens typically last from 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the specific medication used and the patient's health...
Dr. Chen Jingwen Reply:
After infection with the hepatitis C virus, there is an 80-90% chance of developing chronic hepatitis. After 20 years, 20% of those with chronic hepatitis may progress to cirrhosis, and among cirrhosis patients, there is an annual incidence of 3-6% for hepatocellular carcinoma. C...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Hepatitis C: Treatment Options and Definition
Understanding Liver Hemangiomas: Treatment and Risks Explained
Hemangioma of the liver Hello, my uncle (43 years old) had a health check-up and was found to have three hemangiomas on his liver. The doctors in China said they would only treat him if the tumors grow to five centimeters. I would like to ask if this condition is a type of liver ...
Dr. Hong Hongchang Reply:
Hemangiomas on ultrasound (sonography) typically present with high echogenicity in 80% of cases. However, if the patient has a history of hepatitis B or C, the presence of a liver tumor should not be assumed to be a benign hemangioma, as this could lead to a misjudgment of the co...[Read More] Understanding Liver Hemangiomas: Treatment and Risks Explained
Can Hepatitis B Be Transmitted Through Shared Food?
Is Hepatitis B contagious? Dear Doctor: I am someone who is preparing to get pregnant. However, recently my new colleague has hepatitis B, and she has shared a bowl of noodles with me more than once. After I found out, I became very worried. Other colleagues have told me that hep...
Dr. Chen Jingwen Reply:
Answer: Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through blood, with transmission routes including blood transfusions, sharing needles among drug users, inadequate sterilization of surgical and dental instruments, tattooing, and sharing toothbrushes that may cause bleeding. Additiona...[Read More] Can Hepatitis B Be Transmitted Through Shared Food?
Understanding Green Stool: Causes, Concerns, and When to Seek Help
Green stool Hello Dr. Hong, I have been experiencing light gray-brown colored stools for about a week, which have a medicinal odor. After that, I had light green stools for about three days, and currently, I have been passing dark green stools for the past three days, which sti...
Dr. Hong Hongchang Reply:
Dear Miss Chen: 1. The ultrasound of the liver should be performed every 4-6 months, rather than every 6-12 months for hepatitis B carriers, along with checking for GPT and AFP levels. 2. The color of stool is primarily a mixture of bile, metabolic byproducts from the intestines...[Read More] Understanding Green Stool: Causes, Concerns, and When to Seek Help
Can Saliva Transmit Hepatitis B? Understanding the Risks
Can it be transmitted through saliva? If my girlfriend is a carrier of hepatitis B and both of our mouths have sores, is there a risk of transmission?
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Hello: In response to your questions. 1. Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through serum routes, including vertical transmission from mother to child (occurring during childbirth), sexual transmission, and sharing of needles (such as in drug injection or unclean needles). Oral...[Read More] Can Saliva Transmit Hepatitis B? Understanding the Risks
Understanding Muscle Pain: Causes Beyond Exercise and Infections
Muscle soreness Hello Dr. Lee: I have recently been experiencing generalized muscle soreness, particularly in the back and chest area. I do not have a fever, and I suspect that I might have contracted SARS; however, the doctor did not perform any diagnosis and concluded that it i...
Dr. Li Huixiong Reply:
Muscle soreness is actually a very common symptom. Based on your description, it really doesn't seem to resemble the manifestation of SARS. If there is no fever or other accompanying symptoms, it may be best to monitor the situation for now.[Read More] Understanding Muscle Pain: Causes Beyond Exercise and Infections
Understanding Hyperthyroidism and Its Risks: A Family Health Concern
Hyperthyroidism Doctor: Hello! My husband's brother passed away in early April due to cholecystitis and hyperthyroidism, despite resuscitation efforts for only two hours. He was a carrier of hepatitis B. A few days before his death, he had a fever. My husband has the same co...
Dr. Tang Jieru Reply:
Hello Joanna: Chronic hepatitis B is a lifelong condition, and current medical treatments cannot eliminate the virus from the body. The best approach is to have regular monitoring. I recommend that your husband undergo blood tests and ultrasound examinations every six months, so ...[Read More] Understanding Hyperthyroidism and Its Risks: A Family Health Concern
Understanding Liver Metabolism: Can Deep Sea Fish Oil Help?
Liver metabolism Hello, what does it mean when liver metabolism is poor? I've heard that consuming deep-sea fish oil can help with metabolism and detoxification. Is that correct?
Dr. Chen Guifeng Reply:
A healthy person only requires one-fifth of their liver to function, so unless there are liver diseases such as hepatitis or metabolic liver diseases like cirrhosis, liver metabolism will not be affected. As for whether deep-sea fish oil can aid in liver detoxification, there is ...[Read More] Understanding Liver Metabolism: Can Deep Sea Fish Oil Help?
Understanding Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase: What You Need to Know
What is glutamate-pyruvate transaminase? Hello Dr. Lee: This year our company conducted health check-ups, and one of the tests we had was for glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT). The normal range is (0-25) IU/L, and my result was slightly elevated at 26. Could you please explai...
Dr. Li Huixiong Reply:
This is an enzyme primarily derived from liver cells. Clinically, we often refer to it as ALT or GPT. A certain amount is naturally released when liver cells undergo normal turnover each day, and it can be detected through serum biochemical tests, with a typical range of approxim...[Read More] Understanding Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase: What You Need to Know
Living with Advanced Liver Cancer: Seeking Hope and Treatment Options
Liver cancer Hello: I am a carrier of liver cancer (inherited from my mother since childhood). I have undergone radiation therapy and taken a certain medication that was once banned (all treatments were at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital). My condition has now worsened to ...
Dr. Li Huixiong Reply:
I am sorry to hear about your illness, but I must inform you of this fact: liver cancer remains one of the top three causes of death among both men and women in our country. The causes of liver cancer primarily stem from complications following infections with hepatitis B or C vi...[Read More] Living with Advanced Liver Cancer: Seeking Hope and Treatment Options
Managing Abdominal Ascites: When to Drain and Treatment Options
Management of abdominal ascites? Dear Dr. Lu, My mother-in-law is 60 years old and has hepatitis C. Yesterday, she was diagnosed with abdominal ascites. The doctor advised us to wait for a call from the hospital to arrange for hospitalization to drain the fluid. I would like to ...
Dr. Wang Fangli Reply:
Hello Raylene: If the fluid accumulation is not significant, diuretics can be used to temporarily alleviate symptoms. The doctor suggests hospitalization as the fluid accumulation may be more severe, and in addition to paracentesis, further examinations are necessary.[Read More] Managing Abdominal Ascites: When to Drain and Treatment Options
Understanding Dermographism: Causes, Treatments, and Management Options
Dermographism Hello Doctor: A friend of mine was diagnosed with dermographism in the United States two to three years ago. He experiences redness and swelling in multiple areas on his back. Since he had difficulty understanding the doctor's explanations in the U.S., he would...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello! Dermographism refers to the phenomenon where mechanical stimulation of the skin results in the appearance of red lines, followed by erythema and subsequently wheals. The etiology is sometimes related to immune responses to antigens, such as reactions to inhalants, foods, i...[Read More] Understanding Dermographism: Causes, Treatments, and Management Options
Understanding Jaundice, Scrub Typhus, and Splenomegaly: Causes and Treatments
Jaundice, scrub typhus, splenomegaly? I am from Kaohsiung and returned to Taiwan from Japan on November 23. After that, I visited Chengqing Lake in Kaohsiung, the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Pingtung, Chihpen in Taitung, Chulu Ranch, Pingtung, and Cijin. On ...
Dr. Zhao Chongliang Reply:
Regarding diagnosis based on symptoms, I would like to introduce you to a website: the "Infectious Disease Differential Diagnosis Assistance System" from the Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan (http://140.112.124.104/index-3.asp?item=2)....[Read More] Understanding Jaundice, Scrub Typhus, and Splenomegaly: Causes and Treatments