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Healthy adults between the ages of 21 and 65 should visit a primary
care provider (PCP) every one to three years. After age 65, adults
should see a PCP every year. Talk to your PCP or health care provider
about any risk factors that may require additional preventive care.
Screenings
- Medical history and physical exam.
- Height and weight measurements including check for obesity.
- Hearing and vision tests.
- Blood pressure check.
- Blood cholesterol levels (men age 35 and older; women age 45
and older).
- Colon cancer check (test for hidden blood in the stool or sigmoidoscopy
for age 50
and older).
- Mammogram (X-ray to screen for breast cancer) every 1 to 2 years
for women age 40 and older with or without breast exam by health
care provider.
- Pap smear (cervical cancer screening test) every year. After
three or more normal screenings, your PCP may recommend less frequent
testing.
- Chlamydia screening (a test for a sexually transmitted disease)
for all sexually active and pregnant women age 25 and younger
or at high risk. Women should be retested after
treatment for this disease.
- Bone density scan (test for osteoporosis or thinning of the
bones) for all women age 65
and older.
- Signs of problem drinking, family violence and depression.
Immunizations (Shots)
- Flu shot every year for age 50 and older or who have a chronic
illness.
- Pneumonia shot once for age 65 and older; earlier for persons
with a chronic illness. Some people may need a booster after six
years.
- Tetanus/diptheria shot every 10 years.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) shot, one or two doses, for adults
up to age 50. Women of childbearing years should talk to their
PCP about the right time to receive this shot.
- Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B shots are given to protect high
risk adults from these liver
diseases. Ask your PCP if you should receive one or both of them.
- Varicella (Chicken pox) shot once for adults who have not had
chicken pox.
Counseling
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding alcohol and/or drugs
- Good nutrition
- The importance of safety belts
- Wearing motorcycle, bicycle, skateboard helmets
- Smoke detectors
- Fall prevention
- Safe water heater temperatures
- Sexually transmitted disease prevention
- Unintended pregnancy/birth control
- Regular dental visits/dental care
- Safe storage or removal of firearms
- Physical activity/fitness
Medicines Used to Prevent Disease
Some medicines can help prevent diseases. Before taking any medicine,
check with your PCP first.
- Aspirin: Can help prevent heart disease for men age 40 and older
and women who have reached menopause.
- Multivitamin with folic acid: Can reduce some birth defects
when taken before and
during pregnancy.
- Hormone replacement therapy: Can reduce menopause symptoms for
some women.
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