Dr. William Harris
Family Medicine
Tumwater, WA
34 years experience male
Locations
Littlerock Family Medicine / Urgent Care South
Tumwater, WA
My office hours
Wednesday: 8:00am - 9:00pm
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna
Cigna
Premera Blue Cross
Assurant Inc
Office
TUMWATER, WA
About
Bio
Dr. Harris completed his MD training at Texas A&M University & his Family Medicine residency at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice & is a member of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Harris practiced Family Medicine in the Aberdeen, Washington area for 14 years prior to moving to Olympia, Washington in 2004. He has a special interest in the full spectrum of the human condition from urologic concerns to migraine headache; newborn care to urgent care issues; or from allergies to chronic pain.
His philosophy of treating patients includes listening to the complete details to most clearly define a patient's problem(s); & then offering a spectrum of treatment options that most closely fit the patient's comfort level.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Family Medicine
Occupational Medicine
Pain Management
Urgent Care
Doctor Q&A
851 Answers
957 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Shave with the grain: I'm assuming that you are talking about shaving the face. Prepare the beard by showering with hot water to soften and moisten the hair. Use an oil to ... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Stool studies: You may have contracted a bowel infection. The 3 main causes are c. Difficile toxin, ova & parasites, and bacterial colitis (yersinia, campylobacter, ... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Day #14: The first day of your period is day #1. Count the days through your period finishing and then consider day #14 is the most common day for ovulation to... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Turn it around: All medications may be used when used properly. Imagine that you have chronic back pain from bulging disks pinching nerves going down your leg. That c... Read More
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Yes and No.: You could have coughing fits so severe that you actually strain muscles to the point of pain. Most people would seek out some type of care before tha... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Many: A+, a-, b+, b-, ab+, ab-, o+, o-. If you are getting a blood transfusion, there are many other factors to take into consideration. Kell, lewis, and ot... Read More
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
It's the Pepto: Pepto bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) may sooth an upset stomach, but one often shocking side effect is that it turns the school black. If there have ... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Different meds: Depo Provera (medroxyprogesterone) would be a consideration for stopping periods. Birth control pills are considered higher-risk in over-40s, especial... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Talk to your doc: If you have weak erections inadequate for sex or short duration that does not allow for mutual pleasure, then see what med changes can be made. I assu... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Boost: Boost the amount of potassium in your diet to lessen the effect of sodium on blood pressure.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Yep!: As long as you can tolerate the increased strength, go up! the Retin-A 0.4% for 3 months has done the job that it's going to do. If you want additiona... Read More
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Tubal pregnancy?: Although it would be very early, you could be pregnant; but this pain might be a signal of trouble. Breast enlargement and tenderness suggest pregnanc... Read More
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Absolutely, Yes!: Absence of bowel sounds = ileus.
Absence of breath sounds = pneumonia.
Wheezing lungs = asthma.
Heart murmurs = valvular disease.
Bruits = atheros... Read More
652 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Warts: Any genital growth is not good. Although there are many possibilities (pain vs no pain; discharge vs no discharge; new partner vs no partner), chances... Read More
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
No problem!: You may safely take Nexium and Amoxicillin together without any untoward reaction.
338 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Suspicious for HSV: Herpes may appear as a red spot that then burns with pain. The open, ulcerated spot may then heal with a scab. Your doctor can prescribe Valtrex to de... Read More
569 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
A little: 1. Officially, there is a little bit of worry about your heart in that it may be over-stimulated with the exercise-related increased rate on top of th... Read More
557 viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Protein: Above all, increase protein in your diet to support physical growth. That is to say, avoid fats and carbohydrates in the foods you choose.
652 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Thyroid imbalance: You could be sick. Here's the cycle: you get sick, make a fever, feel hot, then sweat, feel cold, then shiver, then make a fever again. This is how yo... Read More
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
No and yes: Count from the 1st day of your period (Day 1). Usually, ovulation occurs on Day 14. The variable time is after ovulation, which usually occurs in the ... Read More
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 56-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
No problem.: In fact, you may have a better success rate by using the combo. The strategy would be to take the bupropion regulaly for several months, while you're ... Read More
496 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Your choice: Raspberry ketone is said to reduce appetite & increase metabolism, thus causing weight loss. This should have no interaction with the Zoloft that ... Read More
561 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 60-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Different strokes..: Doctors are people. Some people are religious, some people are racist, etc. Not everybody understands the complex interconnections that get completely... Read More
548 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
No Prob: This is a variation of normal. Montgomery glands are as simple as sebaceous cysts. Nothing needs to be done. Observe for now. Watch for redness, heat,... Read More
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Long time: I wouldn't necessarily say that your GABA receptors need to "heal" as much as they simply may need to get out of the Lunesta tolerance. Because you ha... Read More
338 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
You need antibiotics: The signs of infection are redness, heat, pain, swelling, and drainage. Hurry and get antibiotics for your forehead, especially because this is your f... Read More
349 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Difficult infection: C difficile can be a major and an aggravating infection! There can be resistant infections that can take weeks to finally resolve. Bowel infections ma... Read More
566 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Infection?: Because of the Implanon, you are most likely not pregnant. The discharge and pain are significant. Have your Family Doc take a look (and probably a sa... Read More
510 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Try some things..: The Mobic could be increasing how much acid you make: stop it for a week to see. If the 2 meds are Zantac and Prilosec, then try doubling the doses of... Read More
503 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Most likely not.: Accidentally eating sand-grain-sized glass will most likely cause no trouble at all. Our GI system is amazingly able to handle all kinds of insults. O... Read More
561 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Bad news, but..: You're partly right. The B-hcg should be doubling every 48 hours. Make sure your values were 2 days apart and not just 1 day! Assuming your practition... Read More
547 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Lifetime learning: Start with a tennis ball & a deck of cards on the dinner table. The tennis ball is your 1 cup serving of vegetables and the deck of cards is the grill... Read More
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Completely variable: It depends completely on the culture. Consider that you may be meeting an asian emperor in the forbidden city - you do not make eye contact until you ... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Average blood sugar: Hemoglobin a1c is an index. Every day, 1% of human red blood cells are recycled & replaced by new rbcs from the bone marrow. When they are "born, " th... Read More
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 60-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Take more Synthroid (thyroxine): If you're following your tsh, i'm assuming that you have hypothyroidism on replacement therapy. The number is opposite: if you are not on enough synt... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
All over the place!: Pain: after sex = infection or endometriosis; when you pee = UTI or herpes; below rib cage = muscle strain, gall bladder, or ulcer; cramping inplies a... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
A good face program: If you have already had a lot of cystic acne lesions or abscesses with scarring, you may have to get aggressive with ice-pick lesions left behind. St... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Nothing: The appendix is not necessary for normal digestion. It is an extra intestinal appendage that does not contribute significantly to the function of the... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
How do i know if painfull cramps and pain pooping are from ibs or something else wrong in the colon?
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
It's in the details: Painful abdominal cramping may be from specific food sensitivities or true ibs. Pain with defacation could be from constipation. Usually, ibs pain is ... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
With: With your kids: be nice, but also set boundaries that keep them safe. Be honest and be yourself.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Potentially: Many medications may have either side effects or interactions with other medications. It is smart to be aware of these. If you are on a medication, an... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
The: The repeat colonoscopy frequency may be 1, 3, 5 or 10 years, depending on initial findings.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Puberty:: Puberty: 1st: breast buds, 2nd: pubic hair, 3rd: axillary hair. Periods are now about to start!
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Yep!: Uteri come in all sizes, shapes, and configurations. They can be tipped forward, backward or sideways and/or can be bent forward, backward, or sideway... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Yes: Any acid treatment to the hair will strip off the color. Look for a very specific dandruff treatment shampoo that is made for colored hair. It will ... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Yep!: Let's say you are on a birth control pill pack where the active pills are peach colored and the placebo pills are green. Take the peach pills for the ... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Overactive bladder: With no pain and frequency, oab is a possibility. Look for triggers: avoid chocolate, tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, peppermint, spicy foods, and splenda... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Not good: It is possible that you could be having a miscarriage. There should be no bleeding during pregnancy, especially with cramping pain that accompanies it... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Swimming for the egg: It is amazing how our bodies are set up to make a pregnancy. The cervix has crypts that maintain and nourish sperm for 3 days. It is possible for the... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Physical exam: Draw a line between the right hip bone jutting forward and the belly button. Divide it into 3rds. The spot 1/3rd of the way from the hip bone is mcbur... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
13
Recommendations
5.5K
Thank you notes
Jan 8, 2013
Dr. Harris is a welcomed addition to the Avvo community. He provides detailed, compassionate and insightful answers to complicated patient questions. I heartily endorse Dr. Harris.
Jan 8, 2013
I would like to welcome Dr. Harris to AVVO.COM. Although I have just begun reading his responses, they are outstanding. His input is thorough, accurate and shows common sense.
Mar 11, 2013
Dr. Harris is a great family doc who helps people in his practice and online and on mobile through HealthTap! Thanks Kirk for all you do to help others.
HealthTap member
the pharmacists felt like this was an OK dose but it seemed like a lot of medication to me! she does know how to take pills, yet i was not the one to take her to the doctor or get the script filled!
HealthTap member
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer! It is the only medication that has actually worked for me. I just hate the side effects. However, I would rather live with side effects than RLS!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! How long does it take for the sun damaged skin to turn back in an african AMERICA . It has been 9 months. Little dots of the change is occur
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
Graduated 1988MD
Residency
Texas Tech University Health System
Awards
25 Year Member Award, American Medical Association
Top Doctor, Second Place, Washington - Winter
2013
Most Influential, Second Place, Olympia, WA - Winter
2013
Affiliations
American Medical Association
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Board of Family Medicine
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