Several years ago in Brazil, antibiotics were sold over the counter in pharmacies without needing to have a prescription. These were trying times for medical practitioners and the health association, as well as for many sick people who were self-prescribing based on second-rate knowledge. Then from November 2010 a new law made it a necessary requirement to have a medical prescription.
Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. They kill bacteria or prevent them from reproducing and spreading. Antibiotics aren't effective against viral infections. This includes the common cold, flu, most coughs and sore throats.
I wrote a blog about antibiotic usage in poultry a few weeks ago, and have since then got bronchitis. Asthma and bronchitis have been my main handicap since a young child, so no wonder I stay tuned into ways to improve my health. Nothing is worse than struggling to breathe or feeling your chest cave in and having to gasp for breath.
I’m treating my symptoms at home and trying to shake off my tight spot. However, I have been delaying going to the doctor. There are a couple of reasons:
In my experience doctors can misdiagnose a condition and prescribe unnecessary drugs which can have diverse side effects. Either that or they don't give sufficient dosages of the right drug.
My bronchitis may not have come from a bacterium, and instead a virus, for which case would mean antibiotics are pointless, and could have detrimental repercussions.
According to my research it is difficult to determine one way or the other. Additionally, I take pride in studying how to improve my conditioning though usually as much as once a year, especially residing in São Paulo which according to info is 760m above sea level, I get bronchitis. Ever since arriving in 1987 I have suffered from asthma, and although I’ve got that under control due to deep breathing, am trying to use my wisdom to decide when or when not to rush to hospital.
Taking antibiotics too often or for the wrong reasons can change bacteria so much that antibiotics don't work against them. This is called bacterial resistance or antibiotic resistance. Some bacteria are now resistant to even the most powerful antibiotics available. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem.
Tread carefully with your health, as misdiagnosis can lead to other complications. Best to watch what you eat, take precautions, and work out regularly to stay fit and passionate about life. Instead of running for treatment, learn how to read your body, and seek treatment at the appropriate time.
The bottom line is after 10 days and not making remarkable improvement, I visited a wonderful doctor called Giovanna at the local hospital, and she took care of me!
Good professionals save lives!
All the very best!
Prof. Carl Boniface
Vocabulary builder:
Over the counter (idiom) = 1. by ordinary retail purchase, with no need for a prescription or license. "The shop assistant sold them over-the-counter medicines." 2. (Of share transactions) taking place outside the stock exchange system.
Trying times (idiom) = means difficult or hard times. Essentially, it means you're going through a rough time with something, which might be finances, health problems, or family issues.
Second-rate (adj) = not very good: of ordinary or inferior quality. a second-rate education. If you say that something or someone is first-rate, you mean that they are extremely good and of the highest quality.
Cave in (phrasal verb) = to collapse, give in, a weakened structure that cannot bear the pressure, allowing another to have their way. 1. (of a roof or similar structure) subside or collapse. "The tunnel walls caved in." 2. capitulate or submit under pressure. "Eventually, Danny caved in and let him stay."
shake off (phrasal verb) = get rid of, get away from, lose, elude, leave behind, give somebody the slip, recover from, recuperate from, get over
Tight spot (n) = difficulty, predicament, jam, mess, dilemma, tricky situation
Tread (n) = step, footstep, plod, walk, stride
My 450th blog packed with vocabulary for English students to prosper from by increasing word count while practicing a wide range of varied article content. Many sections about different subjects including self-development, health, business, food, travel and everything needed to develop effectively. Become the best you by studying a few minutes every day and improve consistenly. Enjoy!