Preventive medicine can help you completely avoid many of the diseases and illnesses that are so common today. Trung Pham, MD, a highly respected and skilled internal medicine doctor in Randallstown, Maryland, provides primary care and preventive medicine of all kinds, including school physicals, work physicals, regular vaccinations, and travel vaccinations.
Preventive Medicine Q & A
What vaccinations do adults need today?
Your vaccination schedule in your adult years depends in part on which vaccinations you had as a child. Other factors, including your age, current health, and your lifestyle, can also influence which vaccinations you need. The vaccinations recommended for adults today include:
- Seasonal influenza — the flu shot: For all adults
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis — whooping cough: For adults who haven’t had it before
- Shingles: For adults 50 or older
- Pneumococcal: For adults 65 or older, and for younger adults with risk factors
- Hepatitis B: For adults who suffer from diabetes or prediabetes risk factors
Dr. Pham will discuss your vaccination needs with you during your preventive medicine visits, which he recommends on a yearly basis for healthy adults.
What kind of vaccinations do I need prior to traveling abroad?
Before you travel out of the country, coordinate with Dr. Pham to make sure you get all the necessary vaccinations. Each country has different entry requirements when it comes to vaccinations, and Dr. Pham can work with you to ensure that you have the proper vaccinations and a clean bill of health before your trip.
Current information for traveling abroad can be found on the international travel section of the U.S. State Department website.
When do I need a school or work physical?
Many schools and places of employment require proof that you’ve had a physical examination before you’re allowed on their premises. Dr. Pham offers this type of physical, often on the same day you contact his office. This can also be a good chance to check on your general health and wellness, and it can be an important part of your preventive medicine plan.
When Dr. Pham sees early warning signs of disease or illness during a physical, it can allow you to take steps to remain healthy now, before you become ill.
What can I do to practice preventive wellness at home?
During your preventive medicine physicals with Dr. Pham, you’ll learn a number of ways that you can enjoy better health through simple lifestyle changes. This may include losing weight, changing your diet, exercising more often, getting more sleep, and other changes.