Guest viewing is limited

Dumb quuestion about blood tests, flu shot

Status
Not open for further replies.

backbay38

graduate
Joined
Jan 4, 2009
Messages
509
Age
86
Location
United States
Gender
Female
I almost hesitate to ask when there are so many posts about real issues but does anyone know (or have experience) with annual physical exams and things like flu shots? Do you have to take the antibiotics before -- as with teeth cleaning or fillings etc.? I mean they do draw blood with a needle and the flu shot is a needle prick. I hate taking the pills if I don't have to but I also want to be safe --just in case.
Thanks..
Stephani
 
No question is dumb ......especially here....lol......no i got a flu shot no antibiotics at all........there is a thread here somewhere with all that on here ill try to find it........but i know others will remember but i would rather be safe then sorry ...........I also got blood drawn and not antibiotics.......really flu shot is fine..............)
 
Antibiotics and Procedures (by shilohplace)
..go to search and key this in and jamie has a list of things its all great info.............
 
No not for blood test or flu shots at least my OS did not tell me too and he gave me a card with all the things says I need to take antibiotics for.
Dentist, Urologist exams or procedures, dermatologist procedures, GYN exams, Rectum exams. These are just a few. But each of my doctors knew to give me the antibiotic an hr. before time
 
GYN exams? I never would have thought of that!! Geez. I could be taking antibiotics this entire month since I've scheduled all my annual exams at once! thanks guys!
 
My doc said yes to teeth cleaning, but no antibiotics for pap smears. Shoot, you'd need an antibiotic before sex!

Pat
 
That's the first I've heard of gyn exams needing an antibiotic. Always good to know.

My new card from MD mentions Gyn too. I don't have to have a pap smear since I have had a hysterectomy so guess I won't have that problem.
 
Routine blood work and shots should not cause you to take a round of antibiotics. So don't worry about that!

The reason for being careful with dental procedures is because of the ease with which bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the mouth. You have the same precautions for a colonoscopy also.
 
Good for a laugh --that's for sure --- anitbiotics before sex. Not tonight dear --I haven't taken my antibiotics :)
I noticed that I had a pap test last May (4 monhs after my TKR) and didn't even think about taking antibiotics -- and my GYN never said anything either. And I notice that I'm still here. I asked my dermatologist today about it -- if she took off a mole or something for testing. And she said don't worry -- that's considered a totally sterile procedure and antibiotics aren't needed. Like a dope I said "Are you sure??" (she's the doc) and she just said yes and went on...
I'm gettting all my annual exams in before the first of the year and the new deductable -- and at this rate I could be taking antibiotics every week!!! But so far I've just taken them 3 x for dental procedures. I believe I've survived the blood test also as you all said I would without them :)
 
I asked my dermatologist today about it -- if she took off a mole or something for testing. And she said don't worry -- that's considered a totally sterile procedure and antibiotics aren't needed. Like a dope I said "Are you sure??" (she's the doc) and she just said yes and went on...

:wink: Well, quite!
 
I had surgery on my breast yesterday and was told that it was different than teeth cleaning because it is a more sterile environment than the mouth so antibiotics were not necessary. I never asked about gyn exams. I have to see the OS today and will ask.
 
That is correct. You only need the cover where infection or contamination is already present. The mouth is a very contaminated area so can dump huge amounts of active bacteria straight into the circulatory system just from a descaling. Standard surgery, as they said, is sterile and so there are no bugs to be circulated.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Staff online

Back
Top Bottom