Dr. Candido Otero, M.D.

Most of the time, the pathologist is the one who call the dr. who order the tests and most of the time, they call when there is an anomaly that needs to be reported immediately. Now, you can call the laboratory and they can help you. Now, results time is around, 24 – 48 hours after the specimen have been received in the laboratory. Sometimes take longer due to findings that needs additional tests. Be patient, you want the most accurate results. Thank you.

The first signs may include itching, tingling, or burning sensation in the vaginal or anal area, flu-like symptoms, including fever, swollen glands. Pain in the legs, buttocks, or vaginal area, a change in vaginal discharge, headache, painful or difficult urination, and a feeling of pressure in the area below the stomach. Herpes has no cure. However, antiviral medications can shorten outbreaks during the time you take the medicine. Both HSV-1 and HSV2 are most contagious when sores are present but also can be transmitted when no symptoms are felt or visible. Genital herpes sores can appear on your vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, scrotum, butt, anus, and upper thighs. It spreads by unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and by mother to baby by pregnancy, labor, or nursing. Contact your OBGYN physician to do the test even though you are asymptomatic. Thank you

The causes of sudden blurred vision are stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), steep increase in blood pressure, hyphema (blood in your eyes), concussion, infection of the eye, migraine headache, and eye injury. Consult with your healthcare provider and ophthalmologist. Thank you.

Clean your lenses regularly with the recommended contact lens cleaning solution (rub with your solution for ten seconds on each side, and rinse with your solution). It is advised to seek a six month or annual visit to your ophthalmologist. Thank you.

If you are not feeling anything at all, don’t worry. Now if you are concern about something major, go to your healthcare provider for a complete medical examination. Thank you.

There is no certainty of an x-ray causing damage to the eyes but to be safe take the child to an ophthalmologist to check the eyes. The ophthalmologist will give a thorough examination and assurance. Thank you.

They are breast ultrasound, diagnostic mammogram, breast magnetic resonance imaging, and biopsy. The most reliable diagnostic test for breast cancer is biopsy. What are three tests done for breast cancer? Physical examination, imaging, and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAC and core biopsy). A tumor marker, which can be detected in breast cancer, protein CA 15-3, can also be detected in blood. However, biopsy is the most reliable test. Thank you.

TB GeneXpert test is a rapid test that can simultaneously identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and resistance to rifampin from sputum. This test detects the DNA in TB bacteria. Thank you.

Thick saliva result from dehydration or breathing through the mouth. Also, there are conditions or diseases that causes such problems, and they are Sjögren disease, or cystic fibrosis. In addition, medications are far more common causes. Topamax side effects causes diarrhea, bad taste in the mouth, loss of appetite tingling of the hand and feet. If you have diarrhea, it causes dehydration and may be the cause of your symptoms. Follow your Dr. recommendation. Hydrated by drinking f fluid. Thank you.

Causes of pediatric diseases are Inherited Hemochromatosis (increased iron in the body), Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency or cystic fibrosis, (inherited disease that also affect the lungs), heart problems that reduce the blood supply to the liver or lead to back-up flow in the liver. The most common pediatric liver disease is Nonalcoholic Fetty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Is the most common form of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents. Studies reveal that 5% to 10% of children have NAFLD. The most common causes are hepatitis and other viruses, and alcohol. In very young children. In very young children, cirrhosis is the most often caused by genetic (inherited) liver problem such as biliary atresia. Early symptoms are feeling unwell, tired, loss of appetite, feeling sick, tenderness or pain around the liver, spider angiomas (spider-like small blood capillaries on the skin above the waist), blotchy red palms and disturbed sleep pattern. Liver damage can often be reversed with a well-managed treatment plan. Consult your pediatric. Thank you.

It is a very serious disease. Usually the patient feels tired, fatigue, sometimes unable to do their daily living activity. The complete blood count (CBC) is the most common test used to confirm anemia. It is part of the routine tests done. The complete CBC test the hemoglobin and hematocrit. The hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein part in the red blood cell that carries the oxygen. The hematocrit is a measure how much space the red blood cells take up in your blood. Low level of hemoglobin or hematocrit signify anemia. Everything has to do with the type of anemia and how it was acquired. For example, iron deficiency anemia due to blood loss or due to lack of nutrients, can be corrected by stopping the blood loss and eating food that are reach in iron. Diet: beans, dried fruits, eggs, lean red meat, salmon, iron-fortified bread and cereal, peas, tofu, dark green leafy vegetables (Spanish cucumber, broccoli) among others. No, anemia due to hereditary condition, the etiology (cause) of that condition needs to be assessed to find the right treatment. Severe anemia could be very serious. Loosing blood quickly can be fatal. The three main causes are red blood cell loss, lack of red blood production in the bone marrow or red cell destruction by the immune system. A hematologist would be a great choice. They will send the test to the lab. For analysis. But a complete work up is appropriate to find the etiology of the anemia. Thank you.

UTI is diagnosed with the urine sample. You should seek ER when you develop pain, lethargy, chills, fever, nausea, vomiting and blood in the urine. Bacterial infection in urine is treated with antibiotics. There are many different of types of antibiotics to treat urinary tract infection. The most commonly ones are Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, Fosfomycin, cephalexin, ceftriaxone, and others. Vitamin C seems to work by increasing the acidity of the urine and killing off the bacteria that cause infection. Health care provider usually uses antibiotics to kill the bacterial. Now, it would be recommended to see your health care provider and have a urinalysis to identify the bacteria, and therefore the specific antibiotic can be used to kill the microorganism. Thank you.

Fungal infection on the toe is diagnosed by scrapping the skin and send it to the laboratory to identify the fungus under the microscope. The podiatrist and physician know by the clinical presentation, and they will scrape the area, send it to the lab for confirmation. Thank you.

Multiple Sclerosis is rarely fatal. Complication may be present from the severe form of MS. The life expectancy is generally 5 to 15 years lower than the general population and the gap continues to get smaller all the time. Thank you.

H1N1 flu is caused by a new virus that is different from the seasonal flu. Your provider may order a rapid flu test to check for different flu viruses. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to the regular flu. This is a medical diagnosis. The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. Typical treatment includes rest, pain reliever, and fluids. Thank you.

Depending at what stage and what type of anemia you get. It is a very serious disease. Usually the patient feels tired, fatigue, sometimes unable to do their daily living activity. The complete blood count (CBC) is the most common test used to confirm anemia. It is part of the routine tests done. The complete CBC test the hemoglobin and hematocrit. The hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein part in the red blood cell that carries the oxygen. The hematocrit is a measure how much space the red blood cells take up in your blood. Low level of hemoglobin or hematocrit signify anemia. Everything has to do with the type of anemia and how it was acquired. For example, iron deficiency anemia due to blood loss or due to lack of nutrients, can be corrected by stopping the blood loss and eating food that are reach in iron. Diet: beans, dried fruits, eggs, lean red meat, salmon, iron-fortified bread and cereal, peas, tofu, dark green leafy vegetables (Spanish cucumber, broccoli) among others. No, anemia due to hereditary condition, the etiology (cause) of that condition needs to be assessed to find the right treatment. Severe anemia could be very serious. Loosing blood quickly can be fatal. The three main causes are red blood cell loss, lack of red blood production in the bone marrow or red cell destruction by the immune system. A hematologist would be a great choice. They will send the test to the lab. For analysis. But a complete work up is appropriate to find the etiology of the anemia. Thank you.

Results showing 0.90 IRS or less is negative. Meaning that there is no significant level of detectable varicella-zoster virus (IgM) antibody. 0.91 to 1.09 ISR = Equivocal. In this case of equivocal value, a repeat testing in 10-14 days is recommended. 1.10 IRS or greater is positive. Thank you

Sinus infection is diagnosed by taking a sample through the nostrils and sending it to the laboratory for culture. Usually the ENT (Ear, Throat and Nose) doctor would be more precise in taking those samples. They also have camera that can go further up to check for any focal accumulation of infection/inflammation. Thank you.

It is done by blood, urine, skin infected material or nasal secretions for sign of bacteria. A tissue or wound culture is done from the infected area. The symptoms of staphylococcus include redness, swelling, and pain at the site of infection. Thank you.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be cause by lifestyle issues such as being overweight, overeating, having caffeine and alcohol, and eating chocolate and spicy food. GERD is broken down into four (4) stages based on how serious your symptoms are. Stage1 – Mild GERD, minimal reflux occurring once or twice a month. Stage 2- Moderated GERD, frequent in off to require medication for the reflux. Stage 3- Symptoms are painful and may not be relief with medications. Stage 4 – Precancer or cancer. There are multiple symptoms and risks to consider in patient with GERD. They are aspiration, when food rises through the esophagus and return down the trachea, dental problems, chronic hoarsens and cough, frequent heartburns, and food regurgitation, specially at night. Anyone can get GERD but people at high risks are obese, hiatal hernia (dilatation of the esophagogastric rim or sphincter), or patient with connective tissue disease. Also people who eat large meal late at night, excessive drinking of coffee and alcohol and smokers. Thank you.