Dr Julian Ng

Hi, Ms Breth While it is not uncommon for females to get UTIs, to get 3 UTIs per year may be of concern not to mention the discomfort that can be disruptive to your life. Recurrent UTIs in females especially if you have at least 2 episodes within 6 months warrant further evaluation with your doctor. Common causes of recurrent UTIs: 1) Hygiene - due to the proximity of the urethra and the rectum in females and also that the urethra in females are shorter, it is much easier for females to get UTI.

Hi, I can understand your concern about the rash in view of your exposure history. Certainly, some STDs can cause rash/ skin lesions like Syphilis, Herpes and HIV. Typically, secondary syphilis (that means syphilis that has not been treated and the disease progress to 2nd stage) can cause a rash but the rash is usually not itchy and usually appear as small bumps. Herpes usually cause blister-like skin lesions. HIV rash can vary in appearance and there is no specific characteristic rash that can definitely indicate that it is a HIV rash.

Hi, Menstrual cycles abnormalities/changes can occur for a wide variety of reasons from the benign such as stress to more serious conditions like cancers. Generally, if there is any change in the pattern of your menstrual cycles especially if the change if persistent, it would be advisable to seek medical advise. Normal menstrual cycles do differ from person to person but it usually would be between 21 to 35 days. Thus my advise would be to seek further evaluation with your doctor to determine the cause of the change of your menstrual cycle.

Hi, I'm glad that you are trying to seek help. Anxiety is not an uncommon psychological condition which many people are reluctant to seek help for. In Singapore, there are GPs who have special interests in helping persons with various psychological conditions like anxiety, depression, etc. IMH would be an excellent place to find out where you can seek help for. Both Geylang and Queenstown Polyclinics also run clinics that provide help and support for those with psychological conditions. Thank you.

I understand your concern about knowing that you have a heart murmur. It is great that you have undergone further testing such as TTE and ECG and both are normal. It is not unusual that incidental heart murmurs are picked up during health screening or routine doctor's visits. Generally, if you have been able to exercise with no significant shortness of breath, fainting during exercise or family history of sudden deaths, they are usually not of concern.

Hi, I understand there may be concerns about measles given the recent outbreak in Taiwan and Japan. However, if you have received 2 doses of measles vaccine when you were a child, then you are considered as immune and will not require a booster. 2 doses of the MMR vaccine grant life-long protection against measles. If you are unsure of your vaccination status, you can check with your country’s child’s health booklet for documentation of recieving the vaccine as a child or speak with your family doctor.