Preventive
care describes any type of treatment or diagnostic test done to
prevent illness. Examples of preventive care thus include
vaccinations and screenings.
What
Else Does Preventive Care Involve?
Preventive care in Jackson, GA, also includes routine check-ups that enable the doctor to detect illness. Most people need check-ups about once a year. Preventive care can also include counseling on such matters as diet, safe sex, or ways to quit smoking.
Do Adults Need Vaccines?
Yes.
All adults should get a flu vaccine every year, and they should get a
Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccine once every ten years.
Other
vaccines depend on the patient’s age and health. Older adults, for
example, should get the shingles vaccine and the pneumonia vaccine.
People traveling to another country should check the vaccination
requirements of that country. Some countries, for example, require a
measles vaccine.
What
Are Screenings?
Screenings are relatively quick and simple diagnostic tests done to check for signs of a given illness like diabetes, high blood pressure, or some types of cancer. The doctor will recommend specific types of screenings based on the patient’s age, medical history, and family history. For example, if a woman is over 45 years old or has a family history of breast cancer, she should get a mammography every year or two. Older patients may need to undergo a bone density test to determine if they are developing osteoporosis, a disease characterized by weak and brittle bones.
Contact Internal Medicine of Griffin or visit us website to learn more about preventive care in Jackson, GA.
