Understanding the Difference: Anti-HIV vs. Anti HIV Testing Explained
HIV Testing Consultation Hello Dr. Hong, thank you again for your response. You mentioned that "yes, they are the same thing." I apologize for my limited Chinese proficiency. Could you please clarify if this means that although there are slight differences in the way An...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, it is indeed the "same" HIV antibody test item. Thank you for your inquiry.[Read More] Understanding the Difference: Anti-HIV vs. Anti HIV Testing Explained
Can You Contract HIV from Contaminated Saliva? Understanding the Risks
HIV infection Doctor, I apologize for bothering you, but I would like to ask a question. Today, I had phlegm in my mouth, and when I spat it into a roadside drain, my saliva got pulled back into my mouth. There was an unknown substance on the drain cover, and since I was outdoors...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, the chance of contracting HIV is very low, so there is no need to be overly afraid. If you are still concerned or have symptoms, you can get tested. According to current testing methods, the window period is usually around 3 months. Thank you for...[Read More] Can You Contract HIV from Contaminated Saliva? Understanding the Risks
Can STDs Be Detected After a Long Asymptomatic Period?
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing Issues Hello, Dr. Hong. If a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is left untreated (due to being asymptomatic or unnoticed), and a long time passes until the asymptomatic stage, can it still be detected during testing at that point? O...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, it depends on which disease you are referring to. If it is HIV, it may lead to a chronic infection, and it should still be detectable at this stage. If it is syphilis, it could become latent, but there is a high chance it can still be detected. As for other sexually transm...[Read More] Can STDs Be Detected After a Long Asymptomatic Period?
Understanding the Six-Month Testing Requirement for Needle Stick Injuries
Follow-up on the needle puncture examination items? Hello, doctor. I have further questions regarding the 164152 needle stick examination items. 1. Could you please explain why it is recommended to have a follow-up examination after six months for insurance purposes? Is this re...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. The determination of the window period is usually based on multiple considerations, including the window period itself, the convenience of clinical implementation, and various testing factors. Therefore, the follow-up time points may vary slightly from one hospital to...[Read More] Understanding the Six-Month Testing Requirement for Needle Stick Injuries
Understanding Needle Stick Injury Testing: Key Infections and Follow-Up
Needle puncture examination items Hello, doctor. Previously, I inquired about the issue of needle stick injuries, and you mentioned that the hospital currently tests for four items: Hepatitis B/C, syphilis, and HIV. I would like to ask the following questions: 1. If all tests a...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. Currently, most hospitals conduct a follow-up test after 6 months for insurance purposes. 2. If you are referring to the items listed in Table 1, some diseases are rarely encountered in Taiwan. Certain diseases are not transmitted through blood but rather through oth...[Read More] Understanding Needle Stick Injury Testing: Key Infections and Follow-Up
Essential STD Screening: What You Need to Know After Safe Encounters
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Screening Hello Doctor, several years ago I had protected vaginal and oral intercourse with a sex worker. I later tested negative for HIV and syphilis, and I have not experienced any other symptoms since then. I would like to ask if I need to ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, if all the safety behaviors you described are followed, there should be no need to test for other diseases. Generally, STD testing primarily focuses on syphilis and HIV, while other STDs usually present with noticeable changes in appearance, which can often be assessed bas...[Read More] Essential STD Screening: What You Need to Know After Safe Encounters
Understanding HIV Transmission Risks: Can I Contract HIV from Betadine?
Risk of HIV Infection Hello! I would like to ask, when changing medication for a patient with HIV, even though gloves were worn, I noticed iodine stains on my hands after removing the gloves. I am unsure if there are any small open wounds on my hands. Can the virus be transmitted...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, viruses do not infect through povidone-iodine. If you do not see any obvious wounds on your hands, you should not be at risk of infection. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Understanding HIV Transmission Risks: Can I Contract HIV from Betadine?
Understanding HIV Infection Risks: Common Concerns and Answers
Questions about HIV infection? Dr. Hong: I apologize for bothering you again. I would like to address the concerns raised in article #163919. On December 23, 2020, I was pricked and bled by a staple from a sushi box (I am unsure if the staple had any blood from another person). A...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. Currently, there are no reports of HIV transmission through utensils, so there should be no concerns in this regard. 2. Living together will not cause your family members to contract HIV, so please do not worry. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Understanding HIV Infection Risks: Common Concerns and Answers
Understanding HIV Infection Risks: What You Need to Know
HIV infection Hello Doctor: While changing medication for a family member, my finger accidentally touched a cotton swab that had been used to wipe a bleeding wound. Later, I scratched an itch with that same finger, causing a break in the skin and bleeding. If my family member is ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on the situation you described, there is no risk of contracting HIV. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Understanding HIV Infection Risks: What You Need to Know
Understanding HIV Infection Risks: What You Need to Know
HIV infection Hello Doctor: While changing medication for a family member, my finger accidentally touched a cotton swab that had been used to wipe a bleeding wound. Later, I scratched an itch with that same finger, causing a break in the skin and bleeding. If my family member is ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on the situation you described, it is unlikely that you have contracted HIV. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Understanding HIV Infection Risks: What You Need to Know
Understanding Oral Sex Risks: Symptoms and Concerns About HIV
Oral sex with mouth sores? On November 1, I had oral sex without any other sexual activity, but I developed a sore in the middle of my tongue, which did not bleed. On November 3, I experienced tonsillitis and saw a doctor. By November 5, I had recovered. On November 9, I had lary...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello: The risk of contracting HIV from a single oral sex encounter is approximately 1 in 10,000, which is generally a very low probability, but of course, it cannot be guaranteed that it is zero. The symptoms you mentioned can indeed be indicative of acute HIV infection, but sim...[Read More] Understanding Oral Sex Risks: Symptoms and Concerns About HIV
Concerns About HIV Infection After Accidental Needle Stick
Concerns about HIV infection? Hello Dr. Hong: On December 23, 2020, at 9:30 AM, I bought sushi from a breakfast shop near my home (the sushi is sourced from an external supplier by this shop). When I opened the sushi box, I accidentally pricked my finger on a staple, causing a sm...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, the risk of contracting HIV from a stapler puncture injury is very low. If you are not experiencing any discomfort, it is not necessary to get tested unless you have other symptoms unrelated to the wound. As for your daily life, it will not be af...[Read More] Concerns About HIV Infection After Accidental Needle Stick
Understanding Skin Rashes and Health Concerns in Young Adults
Please ask your question? Hello, I previously visited a urologist because I am still a virgin and have no experience with sexual activities. The doctor mentioned that the most likely cause of my issue was bathing in hot springs, as I go twice a month, or it could be due to poor h...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on the situation you described, it is likely that you are experiencing folliculitis. As for sexually transmitted infections, if you have not engaged in sexual activity, it is almost impossible for you to contract an STI, so there is no need to worry. Thank you for yo...[Read More] Understanding Skin Rashes and Health Concerns in Young Adults
Fasting vs. Non-Fasting Blood Tests: What You Need to Know
Blood test? Hello, doctor. I am going to the hospital soon for blood tests to check for diseases (such as hepatitis, HIV, syphilis, etc.). Although the hospital said that fasting is not necessary for the blood draw, I would like to know if it is okay to fast before the blood test...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, fasting or not will not affect the test results. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Fasting vs. Non-Fasting Blood Tests: What You Need to Know
Understanding STD Risks: When to Get Tested After Safe Practices
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) transmission Hello Doctor, a few years ago I visited an establishment where I engaged in protected vaginal intercourse, unprotected oral sex, protected oral sex, and kissing with my partner. I would like to ask if, given that these activitie...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, if there have been no unsafe sexual practices this year, there is currently no need to test for specific diseases; continuous monitoring is sufficient. Thank you for your inquiry.[Read More] Understanding STD Risks: When to Get Tested After Safe Practices
Understanding Infection Risks from Non-Sexual Contact in Adult Entertainment
Contact infection issues? Hello Doctor, I have a few questions regarding my previous visits to the adult entertainment industry where I only received manual stimulation and did not engage in sexual intercourse. 1. Is it possible to contract any diseases through mutual contact (...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. The chance of infection from simple body contact is very low. 2. The risk of contracting an infection from licking with the tongue is low. 3. If hands are washed after touching, the risk of infection is low. 4. It has been a year, and if there have been no unsafe sexual...[Read More] Understanding Infection Risks from Non-Sexual Contact in Adult Entertainment
Understanding Infection Risks After Massage: Your Questions Answered
Infection concerns? Hello doctor, I have a few questions regarding my visit to a massage parlor: 1. Given that there was mutual contact (touching) of each other's bodies, what are the risks of contracting any diseases? (Such as skin diseases?) 2. If my fingers touched a woma...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. To assess if the other person has any infectious skin diseases, it is important to note that most cases of infection are less likely to occur through skin contact. 2. Hand contact is generally less likely to transmit diseases. 3. If everything mentioned above is normal ...[Read More] Understanding Infection Risks After Massage: Your Questions Answered
Do Topical Medications Affect STD Test Results?
Testing issues Hello doctor, I would like to ask if using topical medications (such as acne treatments, depigmenting agents, corticosteroid creams, antibiotic ointments, etc.), eye drops, will affect the test results for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B/C? Thank you.
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, these topical medications will not affect the test results. Thank you for your inquiry.[Read More] Do Topical Medications Affect STD Test Results?
Understanding Window Periods for Infectious Disease Testing: Key Insights
Testing issues Hello Doctor, previously due to a suspected needle stick injury, the infectious disease specialist recommended that I retest for Hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and HIV three months after the suspected exposure. I researched the window periods for these diseases, and ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the window period does vary from person to person; however, based on testing reagents, the majority of individuals can be tested within 3 months. Therefore, testing in March should be feasible. If you have any discomfort or concerns, you can still get tested or opt for ano...[Read More] Understanding Window Periods for Infectious Disease Testing: Key Insights
Do Topical Medications Affect Blood Test Results? Common Concerns Addressed
Follow-up on testing issues? Hello Doctor, I have a follow-up question regarding the 163665 test. I understand that, as you mentioned, topical ointments do not affect the results of hepatitis B/C, syphilis, or HIV tests. However, I am still quite anxious and would like to ask if ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the two situations you mentioned will not affect the interpretation of the test results, so there is no need to worry. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Do Topical Medications Affect Blood Test Results? Common Concerns Addressed