Understanding Post-Treatment Reactions to Syphilis: What to Expect
Reactions after syphilis treatment? Hello, Doctor Liao. I went for an anonymous rapid syphilis test on August 13, and on August 18, I was informed that the result was positive for syphilis. On August 19, I made an appointment at the Infectious Disease Department of Pingtung Hospi...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Transmission Methods: 1. Close contact during sexual intercourse and other sexual activities is the primary route of transmission. Direct contact of wounds with secretions, bodily fluids, and other excretions (such as semen, blood, and vaginal secretions) from skin or mucosal les...[Read More] Understanding Post-Treatment Reactions to Syphilis: What to Expect
Understanding HIV Symptoms and Testing: What You Need to Know
HIV-related issues 1. Ten days ago, I had unprotected sexual intercourse, and three days after the encounter, I developed a fever of 38.5 degrees Celsius. After seeing a doctor and receiving an injection, my fever subsided, but I continued to experience diarrhea for the following...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data, the transmission routes of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are as follows: 1. **Sexual Transmission**: Engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with an HIV-infected individual or exchanging other bodily fluids...[Read More] Understanding HIV Symptoms and Testing: What You Need to Know
Understanding Syphilis Treatment Options for LGBTQ+ Patients
Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment I am gay and I was first diagnosed with syphilis two years ago (I was also diagnosed with HIV at the same time). I have received treatment (three injections for syphilis) and I was cured. Last year, I contracted syphilis again, but I was afraid to...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. Yes, because the health insurance card will be annotated. For example, HIV and syphilis are both legally mandated reportable infectious diseases. If a clinic or physician diagnoses a legally reportable infectious disease but fails to report it within the specified time frame, ...[Read More] Understanding Syphilis Treatment Options for LGBTQ+ Patients
Allergic Rhinitis and Reactions After Novavax COVID-19 Vaccination
Allergic rhinitis and reactions after COVID-19 vaccination? Hello, doctor. I have a history of allergies, including allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. I usually experience a runny nose and nasal congestion upon waking up, which lasts until noon. On August 9th, I received th...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. The runny nose caused by the vaccine typically resolves within 24 hours. Therefore, your condition may be due to an infection or other allergens. It is recommended to first test for COVID-19. If the result is negative, you can proceed with symptomatic treatment. 2. I...[Read More] Allergic Rhinitis and Reactions After Novavax COVID-19 Vaccination
Understanding Delayed Reactions to COVID-19 Vaccines in Elderly Patients
Adverse Reactions Following COVID-19 Vaccination Dear Doctor, My mother is 84 years old and has been taking anticoagulants due to a stroke. On June 20, she received her fourth dose of the vaccine; the first three doses were AstraZeneca, AstraZeneca, and Moderna. She did not expe...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on your description, it seems that the issue is not a delayed reaction but rather an enlargement of the bruise due to long-term use of anticoagulant medication. Could you please specify which anticoagulant your mother is taking? Most commonly, it is Coumadin (warfari...[Read More] Understanding Delayed Reactions to COVID-19 Vaccines in Elderly Patients
Concerns About Cough and Possible STD: Understanding Your Diagnosis
Infection concerns? Hello, doctor. I've been coughing for over a month and was worried about the possibility of an HIV infection, so I went to the infectious disease department and had blood tests done twice, including testing for syphilis. The doctor only told me that I do ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Doxycycline is currently primarily used to treat two types of conditions: 1. It is one of the drug choices for syphilis. 2. It is used to treat certain atypical bacterial infections, such as Mycoplasma infections of the respiratory tract. Since you have some respiratory symptoms ...[Read More] Concerns About Cough and Possible STD: Understanding Your Diagnosis
Understanding Bone Marrow Suppression and Its Complications After Azathioprine
Subsequent Issues Following Bone Marrow Suppression Induced by Azacitidine Hello, Doctor Gao. In February of this year, I visited the rheumatology and immunology department due to mild vitiligo and alopecia areata. I was prescribed Yasmin for a month, which resulted in significan...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. I don't believe it's purpura. The likelihood of lymphoma is very low because your lymph nodes are small. It may be more likely that the side effects of the medication have not completely resolved. Although your platelet count is somew...[Read More] Understanding Bone Marrow Suppression and Its Complications After Azathioprine
Managing Diarrhea in Diabetic Patients: Causes and Solutions
Diarrhea in diabetic patients? My father has been a diabetic patient for 30 years and is now 77 years old. He controls his blood sugar with insulin injections. His HbA1c levels have been normal during his quarterly check-ups. However, since early March, he has suddenly started ex...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
If diarrhea persists, please visit a gastroenterology department at a medical center. Thank you.[Read More] Managing Diarrhea in Diabetic Patients: Causes and Solutions
Managing Diarrhea in Diabetic Patients: Causes and Solutions
Diarrhea in diabetic patients My father has been a diabetic patient for 30 years and is now 77 years old. He controls his blood sugar with insulin injections. His hemoglobin A1c levels have been normal during his quarterly check-ups. However, since the beginning of March, he has ...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
If diarrhea persists, please visit the gastroenterology department at a medical center. Thank you.[Read More] Managing Diarrhea in Diabetic Patients: Causes and Solutions
Managing Diarrhea in Long-Term Diabetes Patients: A Guide for Caregivers
Diarrhea in diabetic patients? My father has been a diabetes patient for 30 years and is now 77 years old. He controls his blood sugar with insulin injections, and his hemoglobin A1c levels have been normal during his quarterly check-ups. However, since the beginning of March, he...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
The blood sugar medications that are more likely to cause diarrhea are metformin and acarbose. If the diarrhea is not caused by these medications, further follow-up with a gastroenterologist is still necessary.[Read More] Managing Diarrhea in Long-Term Diabetes Patients: A Guide for Caregivers
Understanding Persistent Upper Right Abdominal Discomfort: Possible Causes
The body has been experiencing issues for a long time? For the past two to three months, I have been experiencing a sensation of heat and swelling in the upper right abdomen, near the lower edge of the ribs (specifically in the area just above the navel and slightly below the rig...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. The likelihood of multiple myeloma is low, as the levels of immunoglobulins (such as IgG, IgA, and IgM) are within normal ranges, and the albumin/globulin ratio is also normal, so there is no need to worry about myeloma. As for the pain below th...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Upper Right Abdominal Discomfort: Possible Causes
Understanding Why Muscle Injections Do Not Transmit HIV
Infection issues? 1. Why muscle injections are not a route for HIV infection. Thank you for your response.
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, intramuscular injections are typically performed by healthcare professionals who follow a thorough cleaning procedure. Additionally, the characteristics of the virus make it difficult to infect muscle tissue, so intramuscular injections are not a route for HIV transmission...[Read More] Understanding Why Muscle Injections Do Not Transmit HIV
Understanding Infection Risks from Injections: Subcutaneous vs. Intramuscular
Infection issues? When receiving an injection, if I did not pay attention to whether the needle was new, and considering that I am not in Taiwan where the equipment is reusable, the injection was administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. 1. What is the risk of infection for...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, there are three main routes of HIV transmission: A. 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. B. B...[Read More] Understanding Infection Risks from Injections: Subcutaneous vs. Intramuscular
Understanding the Risk of HIV Transmission Through Muscle Injection
Infection issues Follow-up question: I saw in previous posts that intramuscular injections are not a route for HIV infection. Now it is mentioned that there is a 0.3-0.5% risk. What exactly is the situation?
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, muscle injection is indeed not a route of infection. This data refers to the risk of infection caused by being punctured with a needle contaminated with the HIV virus; the two meanings are different. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Understanding the Risk of HIV Transmission Through Muscle Injection
Understanding Injection Risks: HIV and Hepatitis Concerns Explained
Injection issues? Hello, I have a follow-up question for the doctor. Previously, I mentioned that I was unsure whether the injection equipment was new, as I am not getting vaccinated in Taiwan. The injection equipment should be reusable. If the injection is administered subcutane...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, in most advanced countries, needles are typically disposable, so such situations are rare. In the unfortunate event of being pricked by a contaminated needle, if there is no protection, previous large-scale studies indicate that the risk of Hepatitis B is approximately 3-5...[Read More] Understanding Injection Risks: HIV and Hepatitis Concerns Explained
Concerns About Injection Safety: Risks of HIV Transmission Explained
Injection issues Hello, doctor. If I didn't pay attention to whether the syringe was new during the injection, and if the last person was injected before me, with the injection method being in the arm, but I'm not sure if it was a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, currently all syringes in Taiwan are single-use safety devices, and there is no situation of reusing needles. Please do not worry about the risk of HIV infection. Thank you for your inquiry.[Read More] Concerns About Injection Safety: Risks of HIV Transmission Explained
Understanding Biologics for Ankylosing Spondylitis: Key Questions Answered
Biologics Hello, doctor. My son is 18.7 years old and is a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. I would like to ask some questions regarding biologic agents: To save the doctor's time, I would like to define the following conditions as "Condition A" (the prescripti...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. There are many inquiries, so I can only provide brief responses as follows: 1) If you apply for public funding to receive biologic therapy and it is approved, after a period of treatment, if the inflammatory markers normalize and there is no...[Read More] Understanding Biologics for Ankylosing Spondylitis: Key Questions Answered
Understanding Biologics and Vaccination for Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients
Biologics Hello Doctor, I am currently 19 years old and have ankylosing spondylitis. I received my first dose of the BNT vaccine on September 27, 2021, and I am planning to get the second dose (the delay in receiving the second dose is due to my serious suspicion that the first d...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my responses: 1) Is there a regulation on how long one should wait to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before or after receiving a biologic agent? --> Only certain biologic agents require a pause in administration when receiving the C...[Read More] Understanding Biologics and Vaccination for Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients
Assessing Long-Term Risks of Biologics vs. Traditional Treatments
Biologics (Follow-up Question) Dear Dr. Gao, Below the asterisks is the question I raised on January 17. I appreciate your detailed response, and I would like to ask a few more questions: 1) I want to focus on the long-term severe (or life-threatening) side effects. The long-te...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here is my consolidated response: 1) I would like to focus on the long-term severe (or fatal) side effects. The long-term severe (or fatal) side effects of Celebrex (celecoxib) include cardiovascular, renal, and gastrointestinal issues. The lon...[Read More] Assessing Long-Term Risks of Biologics vs. Traditional Treatments
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