Dear Doctor,
I am a 34 yr old male who recently came back from the doctor with some not so good news. It turns our that my cholesterol is a very high 292 with an extremely high LDL count, a 219. I am relatively healthy and active; I am 6 ft tall and weigh [...]
Infection
Advertisement:High Cholesterol - Role of Hepatitis?
Saturday, November 25th, 2006Shingles - Contagious?
Saturday, November 25th, 2006I have recently been diagnosed with shingles. They are not yet in an open blister state (merely contained red blisters) with no discharge. I have a couple of questions:
1. Can it (herpes zoster virus) be spread any other way other than direct contact with the discharge from the blisters?
2. Can my wife and children be [...]
Tick Bite Pictures, Insect Bites
Friday, August 18th, 2006What insect causes a round or almond shaped bump then round bruise?
Dr. Joshua’s Answer
It’s not possible to say which insect has caused the reaction, especially as I don’t know which part of the world you are from. It could be any insect that bites.
The most important question is, could it be a serious insect-borne [...]
Neurological Symptoms, Testing for Syphilis and HIV
Friday, August 18th, 2006I hope you’ve heard it all because here goes! 3 years ago I started to hear a popping sound in my head and one of my eyes became bloodshot. The sensation was similar to a bloop, bloop, bloop in my head. Around the same time I started to have shortness of breath and occasional [...]
Continue readingFear of HIV Testing
Friday, August 18th, 2006Hello Doctor,
I am so glad I found your web site and I can finally ask my question to a professional.? Seven years ago I used to be the insertive top in an anal sexual relationship for four times in a week, now I just heard that my ex is HIV positive. And me, 7 years [...]
Skin Itching, Irritation and Lump
Wednesday, August 16th, 2006I have had a lump on the side of my head above my right ear for the past few months. I was having some pain, an itching sensation, and irritation in the area. I went to see a doctor who mentioned the possibility of a cyst. He referred me to a dermatologist and a skull [...]
Continue readingLump in Side - Enlarged Spleen?
Thursday, August 10th, 2006I’m an 18 year old female. I am quite concerned about a tender lump that I have found underneath my left ribcage. Its on the side, and continues the shape of my ribcage further down. I’m quite skinny so I can feel it. What is it? I know there is something there because I [...]
Continue readingElevated GGT (gamma-GT)
Wednesday, June 28th, 2006Three years ago, I got a blood test and it showed a ggt score of 135, I just took another on and the score is 128. All of my other blook scores are in normal limits. I have never drunk alcohol. Can you tell me what is going on?
Dr. Joshua’s Answer:
Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (Gamma-GT, GGT) may [...]
Stomach Problems in Africa
Monday, June 26th, 2006I work for the UN and am stationed in Sudan. I tested posted for malaria, and took coartem, then felt fine. I did not go back to the UN doctor for the follow-up test to see if it was gone, because I was in the field. About three weeks later, the malaria symptoms returned, but [...]
Continue readingHepatitis C Transmission, Oral, Drinking Water, Hep C, Syringe
Thursday, May 11th, 2006can I get hepatitis c from drinking the water a syringe was cleaned in —the user had hep–c
Dr. Joshua’s Answer:
While I cannot guarantee it’s impossible, it is highly unlikely.
Read more: Should you get tested for hepatitis?
Also, please see the CDC Frequently Asked Questions - Hepatitis C
