Yes, you should go to the hospital immediately for rabies prophylaxis. Bats are known carriers of rabies and they don’t have to bite to transmit rabies. Studies have shown that bats can transmit the rabies virus to humans through aerosolized particles of saliva and feces. Rabies is almost universally deadly once symptoms start but rabies… Continue reading I was opening my shed in my backyard and a bunch of bats few out. I didn’t get bit but should I go to the hospital to get checked out for rabies or should I wait and see if I start feeling sick?
Month: August 2010
When would you use a sigmoidoscopy over a colonoscopy?
The advantage a sigmoidoscopy has over a colonoscopy is that the bowel does not need to be prepared. In other words, whereas a colonoscopy requires the patient to clean their colon with bowel prep, a sigmoidoscopy can be performed on an unprepped patient. Therefore, if an emergency or unstable patient requires direct visualization of the… Continue reading When would you use a sigmoidoscopy over a colonoscopy?
I swallowed a fishbone during dinner. It hurts a little and I still feel it in the back of my throat. Will it come out on its own or should I go to the doctor?
You should go to your doctor or the local emergency room immediately because there is a real risk of tissue injury, perforation, or infection. The rule of thumb is that if you swallowed a sharp object (fishbone, pin, toothpick, needle, etc.) or feel symptoms such as the sensation of a foreign object, pain and difficulty… Continue reading I swallowed a fishbone during dinner. It hurts a little and I still feel it in the back of my throat. Will it come out on its own or should I go to the doctor?
Can I get rabies from a rat bite?
There has never been a documented case of rabies transmission through rat bite. In fact, rabies is transmitted through saliva and rats have “dry bite” because their incisors are outside of their oral cavity. Therefore, rats are rarely infected with the rabies virus and the CDC does not recommend rabies prophylaxis for rat bites.
My doctor found that I had a lot of bacteria growing in my urine but he said I didn’t need antibiotics because it’s not an infection. I don’t have any symptoms but I thought that bacteria in my urine means that I have a urinary tract infection. What does this mean for me?
Given that your age is greater than 65, two possibilities are likely: If the bacteria growing from your urine culture are multiple species, it is likely to be a contaminant and thus the test is voided and no antibiotics are prescribed. A new test would need to be ordered to confirm if you have any… Continue reading My doctor found that I had a lot of bacteria growing in my urine but he said I didn’t need antibiotics because it’s not an infection. I don’t have any symptoms but I thought that bacteria in my urine means that I have a urinary tract infection. What does this mean for me?