A neurologist has shared insights into three specific things he avoids doing outside of work based on his professional knowledge in the field.
Dr Baibing Chen, also known as Dr Bing on social media platforms such as TikTok, is renowned for offering guidance to both his patients and a wide online audience.
While consulting a general practitioner is recommended if there are health concerns, Dr Bing’s straightforward online videos serve as a valuable resource for individuals seeking information from the comfort of their homes.
In a previous video, he outlined a simple test to determine early signs of dementia. Now, Dr Bing has revealed three activities he refrains from engaging in.
In a viral video, the neurologist mentioned that he avoids ‘sharing drinks’ with unfamiliar individuals.
He elaborated: “For some people, this is obvious, but for others it sounds harmless. Passing a cup around at a party, taking a sip from someone’s cocktail, but I’ve seen what it can lead to.
“Beside the risk of drugs being slipped into drinks, you can pick up all kinds of pathogens. Not just herpes, but also things like mono and enteroviruses. All of which can affect the brain.”
Citing an example, Dr Bing recounted how he treated a young adult who developed viral meningitis after attending a music festival where drinks were shared.
“They thought it was just a hangover until they started seizing,” Dr Bing explained.
He acknowledged that some might perceive this as an ‘overreaction,’ but he insists on using his own glass at social events.
Although it might evoke memories of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Bing emphasized the importance of wearing a mask in ‘dusty or enclosed spaces’.
He stated: “This is because I’ve seen fungal infections like histoplasmosis and cryptococcus start this way.”
In severe cases, these infections can lead to meningitis or encephalitis months or even years later.
“You don’t need to be splunking in a jungle to get this,” Dr Bing continued. “Just cleaning an old attic or sweeping out a shed can be enough for some people.”
However, it’s important to note that such occurrences are extremely rare and not a concern for most individuals.
Lastly, Dr Bing highlighted that he would never give honey to infants under one year old.
He explained: “It may seem innocent, natural or even healthy but honey can carry clostridium botulinum spores. In adults and older kids, our guts can usually handle them, but in babies, those spores can germinate, produce toxins and lead to infant botulism – a rare and life-threatening condition.”