Expert: Margot RN BScN GNC - 7/11/2004

Question
I think you did not understand my question, I probably should have worded it different.  I mean do people ever catch things from the Dr.  or nurse.
Followup To
Question -
I am just curious if diseases are ever caught from things done at the Drs. office?
I am wondering if when minor procedures are done at the Drs. office, anything from stictches to scopes in the nose and throat, shots, etc. if things are ever caught?
Simple things like colds, to major things like aids, or hepatitis?
Just a curious person, thanks for your input.
Answer -
Hi Curious and thanks for writing,

Yes, many, many things are in fact "caught" at the GPs office. That is why family doctors like to do annual physicals with routine bloodwork and regular chest x-rays & other diagnostic tests for older people or people at risk so they can "catch" things before they are too far advanced. They are trained to identify when there is something wrong going on with our bodies so they often do find a more serious condition during routine procedures like suture removals. People can go in for a "headache" or "stiff neck" and the GP can identify if it's just a strained muscle or a serious bacterial meningitis.

Hope this helps,

Margot

Answer
Hi again, sorry I didn't understand what you meant.

I do know people do catch infections in hospitals:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 90,000 people die each year from hospital-acquired infections - more than from auto accidents and homicides combined.   https://secure2.convio.net/cu/site/Advocacy?id=201&page=UserAction&JServSessionIdr012=wexgrty6s1.app14b

I know a few Dentists were gloves now as there were some cases of them spreading infections/disease back in the 1980's but I haven't heard of GPs spreading infections. I looked for information on the internet and didn't find any so that's probably a good sign; not to say it couldn't happen with a doctor who doesn't wash his/her hands or keep their equipment sterile.

Sorry I couldn't find any specific stats or articles for you.

Margot