Rebecca A. Kuhns

For the most part, the most important question is why does your son have a bunion? The most common area is the big toe or, less likely the smallest toe. This can be due to bone protrusion and/or tight-fitting shoes. Athletes or active kids are more likely to develop bunions as they are generally more active and the foot is constantly changing/grower. A bunion corrector may provide some immediate relief, as well as create a little more room, but if the underlying problem is not corrected, it will likely continue due to worsen over time. A pediatrician or podiatrist can help with this.

Pictures are not very helpful in this case and the differential for a sore throat is very large and wide ranging. It can be caused from allergies to new meds causing dry throat to viral process to bacterial process to GERD/reflux to smoking, etc. Best thing to do is go to your PCP or a clinic and get ruled out for COVID-19 or Strep, Mono (CMV), etc. IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU ARE GETTING WORSE, gargle with warm salt water 4-5 times per day, do NOT smoke, avoid sugar and dairy products, use OTC Tylenol/NSAIDS for fever and pain, and drink lots of fluids, especially water.
Hope you feel better soon.

Hello,

It is difficult to tell from a picture whether this is a rat bite. More importantly is to wash the site immediately and to monitor for rat-bite fever. You can find the guidelines by looking up RAT-BITE FEVER UNDER THE CDC (center for disease control). Most importantly is to make sure you get rid of any further rats or varmint in your home that could spread further disease to you or your family.
Take care.

Hello,

Firstly, it is important to make sure you know the facts. The reason why they do not want you to donate again too quickly can probably be answered in your blood work. If obtained too frequently, the products within the plasma will start to go down (such as albumin or antibodies) and this will lower the quality of the blood plasma. Since your blood cells are not taken, blood cell loss should not technically alter timing for plasma donation.

HI,

HAVING RECEIVED THE VACCINE HELPS YOUR BODY TO BUILD ANTIBODIES AGAINST FUTURE COVID-19 EXPOSURE. YOU MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO A VARIANT. THE VACCINE AND MONOCLONAL AB HELP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM TO MOUNT A FIGHT AGAINST THE VIRUS, BUT DO NOT NECESSARILY DECREES ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS. A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CONTRACT COVID-19 TEND TO HAVE A COUGH RELATED TO POST NASAL DRIP (MUCUS RUNNING DOWN THE BACK OF THE THROAT AND TRIGGERING THE COUGH RECEPTORS). IT SHOULD BE A DRY COUGH W/O CONSISTENT THICK, YELLOW OR GREEN PHLEGM. THE DRY COUGH CAN OFTEN BE TREATED WITH FLONASE UNTIL SYMPTOMS RESOLVE. IF IT WORSENS AFTER A WEEK OR SO, SEE YOUR PCP OR GO TO AN ACUTE CLINIC.

Yes, it can, but fatigue is a symptom that goes along with many other things as well.

Hello and thanks for your question.

I doubt that there is anything to worry about. If you were told that your CT scan is normal with the exception of minimal atelectasis, this most likely translates into, "you have a little scarring on your lungs; which can be due to a previous infection from a viral, fungal, bacterial infection or other inflammatory processes. If you are concerned, you should contact whichever doctor ordered the CT scan and have her/him go over the results.
Good luck, and stay healthy.

Hello and thanks for your question.

Interestingly, the tonsils are a part of the immune system. The tonsils, actually, are found in three different areas of the head and neck. The main region (what we ideally consider the
tonsils) are found in the back of the mouth/neck (pharynx). There are also portions behind the nose and in the back of the base of the tongue. The triad works to collect germs and bacteria in order to prevent them from traveling and causing infections in the throat and lungs.

The tonsils become swollen/irritated when large amounts of virus/bacteria accumulate. Within the tonsils are immune tissue that contain WBCs (help fight infections). Usually the tonsils heal without complications. Sometimes people can develop tonsillar stones (contain WBCs), but it is most frequently due to chronic infection.

Most people never require removal of the tonsils. If you are experiencing chronic pain or swelling of the tonsils that has lasted longer than expected or have chronic recurrent tonsillitis, your primary care provider may consider referring you to an ENT specialist.

It would be doubtful that maturation is causing incontinence. Your symptoms, however, sound concerning and should be addressed either by a primary care physician +/or urologist. Most importantly is to rule out an underlying cause for your incontinence, such as infection, obstruction, etc.
Thanks for your question. Hope this helps.

Hello,

Firstly, your health is more important than work. The symptoms you describe are vague, but quite common for an upper respiratory infection (URI). One of the most important findings for a potential URI is having a fever. Your work should be encouraging you to stay home, as well as to get checked for COVID-19 (a virus) if you have a fever with your described symptoms. Not only is it difficult to heal while working and being sick, but you run the risk of spreading the illness to coworkers as well.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a chronic condition of the lungs, most commonly caused by smoking. Onset usually occurs in a person's age onset of 40-50. COPD can have independent flair ups, however, they are usually caused by other underlying causes such as infection, allergies, asthma; or more rare diseases such as congestive heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, vasculitis, cancer +/- autoimmune diseases.

Although it is possible that an underlying infection triggered your symptoms, COVID 19, as well as other possible virus etiologies, tend to cause a fever. Most people recover from COVID 19 and the flu with supportive care in a few weeks. Some people can have a residual cough for up to 4-8 weeks. Sometimes cough can trigger underlying problems such as asthma, COPD, and allergies.

It seems from your description that treatment was provided for a bacterial infection and flare up of underlying COPD and symptoms. If you are a smoker and have not quit, this could still be causing symptoms. Most importantly, if you feel that your symptoms are still significant, or are worsening, a follow up with your doctor is required for possible further work up or reassurance.

If your daughter has significant enough kidney disease that has caused her to become IMMUNOCOMPROMISED (the immune system, which normally helps to fight against infections, cancer and other problems), it could place her at increased risk for Covid-19. It also makes a difference as to why your daughter has underlying kidney problems. For example, if she were to have renal problems secondary to Diabetes Mellitus, she would have multiple reasons to be immunocompromised (diabetes causes immunodeficiency as well). If you are concerned, I recommend that you contact your daughter's pediatrician or nephrologist.

A dog licking skin that is in tact should generally not be harmful. However, dogs tend to lick their own wounds as they actually have antibodies in their saliva. One case scenario that could be occurring is if the dog has found an open wound on your son and is licking it as is the dog's natural instinct to do so. A close check of your son's skin to make sure there is no rash, tick or other problems would be helpful. Otherwise, your dog is most likely expressing love. However, if you are still concerned, seek the advice of your pediatrician.

Yes