Wallace Said:

My ex boyfriend went to the doctor for a suspected UTI?

We Answered:

It would be wise - as a precautionary measure.

Rachel Said:

Swine flu internet/phone diagnosis?

We Answered:

Diagnosis based on symptoms and vital signs is a provisional diagnosis. When a sample is taken and cultured then a final diagnosis can be made.

There is nothing wrong with this practise. Many doctors (GPs) prescribe medications based on provisional diagnosis. This is because NOT TO TREAT or to DELAY treatment would do the patient more harm than the treatment would do even if it the wrong treatment.

I hope this answers your question. Please read my article on preventing the spread of swine flu. My pen name is Shergill.
http://healthmad.com/conditions-and-dise…

Alex Said:

Medical Self-diagnosis via internet is ridiculous. There's a reason a doctor trains for 8 years?

We Answered:

I most definitely agree with you. Too much medical information in the wrong/uninformed hands is a very dangerous thing.
Even doctors will tell you, when you hear hoof beats, think horses not zebra's.
Of course you know that pitting on the fingernails is also a sign of heavy metal poisoning!!! ( not the music kind either). Just thought you might like to know that....you never can be too careful........

Lillian Said:

Question about the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome for a doctor or an actual patient?

We Answered:

What you explained is a layout of simply: Genetics. Some of it is related to the syndrome but that goes for all diseases/condition, etc... You sound fine and normal, as it goes, to me. If you still are unsure, go in like you explained to a doctor so they can physically examine you.

Shirley Said:

I am facing a possible genital herpes diagnosis.... My doctor says?

We Answered:

It's true. Genital herpes can take years sometimes for any symptoms or signs of the virus to show up. This makes it difficult for some people to identify who actually gave it to them. For others symptoms can appear, like you said, anywhere from 1-20 days.

Did the doctor specifically test you for the herpes simplex virus? Genital herpes can sometimes be confused with chancroid lesions (a curable bacterial STD) or syphilis sores (also a curable bacterial STD). Just because it might not look like pictures online doesn't mean it's not genital herpes though. If you are really concerned you can always get tested for syphilis and chancroid.

Feel free to email me if you'd like. I'd be happy to try and answer any questions you might have about the virus.

***Also, don't listen to Kandykisses. She is full of it. There are plenty of guys out there that would date a person with genital herpes. I have had SEVERAL boyfriends and none of them have ever dumped me because I have genital herpes. We were just extra careful when it came to anything sexual. Right now I am in a great relationship with my current fiance. He didn't leave me because I had genital herpes. We have a great, healthy, happy relationship.

Genital herpes really isn't as uncommon as most people seem to think. 1 out of 4 women have genital herpes and 1 out of 5 men have it.
http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-He…