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Preventive Care "How often should you visit your doctor?"
April 22, 2007
Birth - 18 Years
Health Maintenance Evaluation
A regularly scheduled Health Maintenance Evaluation at each of the following ages:
- 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months
- 2 and 3 years
- 5, 7 and 10 years
- 13 and 16 years
- 18 years
Tuberculosis skin test is optional* at 12 months, 5 years, and at 15 years.
Immunizations/Vaccinations
The following immunizations should be given between birth and 18 years. As different vaccine schedules are required depending upon the vaccine product and type your group uses, consult your pediatrician or family physician for the best schedule for your child:
- Hepatitis B
- HIB—combination vaccination for Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and Hemophilus
- MMR—Measles, Mumps and Rubella
- DTaP—Diphtheria, Tetanus and acellular Pertussis
- Td—Adult Diphtheria and Tetanus
- Chicken pox (Varicella)
- Polio
Pap Smear
At 18 years of age, a woman should begin to have yearly pap smears at her annual health check-ups. |
19 to 39 Years
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Health Maintenance Evaluation
Every five years
Women's Health
Pap Smear - At least every three years
Estrogen replacement therapy, contraception or pregnancy will alter these recommendations. An abnormal Pap smear, multiple sexual partners, or history of sexually transmitted disease require more frequent evaluations.
Immunizations/Vaccinations
Tetanus-diphtheria - Booster every 10 years
Laboratory Testing
Cholesterol - Men begin at 35
These guidelines do not pertain to patients on chronic medications, including birth control, estrogen replacement therapy, or patients with personal or family health risks. |
40 to 49 Years
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Health Maintenance Evaluation
Every two years
Women's Health
- Pap Smear - At least every three years
An abnormal pap smear, multiple sexual partners, or history of sexually transmitted disease require more frequent evaluations.
- Mammogram - Every 1-2 years, starting at 40
Laboratory Testing
Cholesterol - Every five years
Men begin at 35, Women begin at 45
Immunizations/Vaccinations
Tetanus-diphtheria - Booster every 10 years |
50 to 64 Years
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Health Maintenance Evaluation
Annually
- Sigmoidoscopy - At least every 10 years- *optional every five years
- Fecal Occult Blood - Annually
Women's Health
- Pap Smear - At least every three years. An abnormal pap smear, multiple sexual partners, or history of sexually transmitted disease require more frequent evaluations.
- Mammogram - Every 1-2 years
Laboratory Testing
Cholesterol - Every five years
PSA (for men) - *Optional annually
Immunizations/Vaccinations
Tetanus-diphtheria - Booster every 10 years
Optional recommendations have not been confirmed to be beneficial in long-term case-controlled studies but are recommended by at least one or more professional organization. |
65 & Over
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Health Maintenance Evaluation
Annually
- Sigmoidoscopy - At least every 10 years until age 70, *optional every five years,*optional after age 70
- Fecal Occult Blood - Annually
Women's Health
- Pap Smear - **Optional every three years until age 70 An abnormal pap smear, multiple sexual partners, or history of sexually transmitted disease require more frequent evaluations.
- Mammogram (for women) - Every 1-2 years until age 70
Laboratory Testing
- Cholesterol - Every five years until age 65 then - *optional
- PSA (for men) - *Optional annually until 70
Immunizations/Vaccinations
- Tetanus-diphtheria - Booster every 10 years until age 70
- Influenza - Annually
- Pneumococcal - at age 65
**Screening is discretionary after age indicated. Discuss risks & benefits of screening with your primary care provider. |
Definition of Terms
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Health Maintenance Evaluation : A visit to your health care provider which includes a discussion of your present medical concerns, a review of your medical history, a physical examination, to include at least blood pressure and weight, and the ordering of appropriate laboratory testing. Your physician may choose to perform your health maintenance examination during a problem-oriented visit.
Pap Smear: A screen for cancer of the cervix done in conjunction with an internal pelvic examination in women. At the physician's discretion after three normal exams, frequency may be reduced to every three years.
Fecal Occult Blood: Examination for small amounts of blood in the stool which may be associated with increased risk for colon cancer.
Cholesterol: A blood study for detecting elevated blood levels of fats associated with risk of heart disease and stroke. Men may begin screening at age 35. Both men and women should have a cholesterol check at 45.
PSA: (Prostrate Specific Antigen) A blood test for the early detection of possible prostrate cancer in men.
Mammogram: A screening for early detection of breast cancer.
Sigmoidoscopy: A fiberoptic view of the sigmoid colon for the detection of colon polyps or early detection of colon cancer.
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