Head of Emergency Medicine Department of Bikur Cholim
A correspondent asks about the difference between
antibiotics. This is an extremely broad topic that we have
tackled before. Some antibiotics kill the bacteria, and some
just prevent reproduction so the body can kill them on its
own.
Antibiotics often stimulate resistance and then are only
effective for certain bacteria. Bacteria can often transfer
resistance, so indeed there may be a time when the
antibiotics will no longer work. We already have two types of
bacteria that are resistant to all antibiotics.
The key to preventing the development of resistance is
judicial use of antibiotics. The use of the right antibiotic
is crucial. Overly powerful ones can be dangerous if not used
correctly. Also many chickens and cows get antibiotics in
their feed, and this can make it into humans. Remember, most
cases of sinusitis and ear infections are not bacterial but
viral, and antibiotics do not work against viruses. I'll be
glad to discuss this further if you have a specific
question.
Israeli doctors order a lot of blood tests -- so writes this
correspondent. They do indeed, although I do not. Many are
unsure of themselves or are poorly trained and think that
doing blood tests will protect them or pick up things that
they missed. I disagree with this way of doing medicine.
Blood tests are sometimes necessary, but there is no use in
doing every test to see what comes out.
We Jews are so concerned about sleep. If you do not sleep for
most of a night, it takes a few days -- not just one -- to
get back to normal. Sleep "banks" vary from person to person,
but if you are always in overdraft it is a bad idea. I am
guilty of this.
Thank you ALL for your letter. What did you mean about house
calls? Write me in care of the Yated.
A message from GlaxoSmithKline, sponsor of this
column. We haven't spoken about Zyban in a while, but it
definitely helps the cessation of smoking -- usually within
three months. No headaches, no craving. It really does work.
Now there is no excuse for not kicking the habit.
