Adult Preventative Healthcare Guidelines

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Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis B
    • Recommended for adults with end stage kidney disease, patients with hemophilia or who have bleeding disorders such as Factor VII or IX Concentrates, persons who live in the same household as some who has Hepatitis B, homosexual men, health care professionals, and illicit injectable drug users
    • Given as a series of 3 injections – initially, 2nd injection 1 month later, 3rd injection 6 months later
  • HPV (cervical cancer vaccine)
    • Women and men ages 9-25, preferably who have not been sexually active
    • Given as a series of 3 injections (2 injections if under 15yrs of age) – initially, 2nd injection 1 month later, 3rd injection 6 months later
  • Influenza
    • Every year
  • Meningitis
    • Young adults in high school and entering college.
  •  Prevnar13
    • 65yr or Rheumatology patients on immunosuppressive treatment
  • Prevnar 23
    • 65yr or Rheumatology patients on immunosuppressive treatment, repeat every 5 years
  • Shingrex
    • 50yr
    • Given as a series of 2 injections – separated by 2-6 months
    • Inactivated virus – safe for immunosuppressed adults
    • The risk of developing Shingles increases with age, and approximately half of people who live to age 85 will develop Shingles
  • Tdap/Td
    • Every 10yrs or 5 years for tetanus toxoid if needed for a bad cut

 

Cancer Screening

  • Colonoscopy
    • 50yr or every 10yrs or as directed by your gastroenterologist
    • If there is a family history (first degree relative – mother/father/sibling/child) of colon cancer, you should be screened 10 years prior to their age at the onset of colon cancer
  • Mammogram
    • American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends starting at 40yr. Discuss with your primary care provider or gynecologist when the time is right to begin screening
    • Monthly self-breast exams should be done
  • Pap Test and Pelvic Exam
    • Every 3 years after women begin having sexual intercourse or at 21yr. Screening should be done every year.
    • Women age 70 or older who have had 3 or more normal pap tests in a row and no abnormal pap tests results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having cervical cancer screening.
  • Prostate Exam
    • Both PSA and digital rectal exams should be performed annually beginning at 50yr. African-American men and men with a strong family history of prostate cancer should begin testing at 45yr. Men with multiple first-degree relatives with prostate cancer at an early age could begin at 40.

 

Other Screenings

  • Bone Density
    • Every 1-2 years (insurance dependent) after onset of menopause or with a loss of height of over an inch in one year and/or longterm use of oral steroids
  • Dental Exam
    • Every 6 months to yearly
  • Eye Exam
    • Yearly to every 3 years
    • *Yearly for those rheumatology patients taking daily hydroxychloroquine/plaquenil
  • Physical Exam
    • Complete exam with fasting labs recommended every 3 years for adults up to 40yr, every 2 years at ages 40-50 and yearly for people over 50yo.

*If you have any questions about the above recommended vaccines or tests please discuss it with your provider at your next visit