Infectious disease, Can You Separate Fact from Fiction?

MISINFORMATION CAN BE SERIOUS
INFECTIOUS DISEASES:
Can You Separate Fact from Fiction?
MISINFORMATION CAN BE SERIOUS
There’s been a lot of discussion around the mysterious polio-like illness occurring throughout the country, conflicting sentiment around vaccination, and the recent severity of flu epidemics – which killed about 80k people in the US last year alone.
Naturally, it can be confusing to understand which infections are preventable, which diseases are treatable, which you may at risk for contracting, and what to do when symptoms occur. After all, a germ is a germ is a germ, right? Germs are dirty, they make you sick, and that’s the end of that. Well, that’s not quite true.
While viruses and bacteria can both cause infections or illness, they are quite different. With antibiotic resistance on the rise, it is more important than ever to know the facts. Dr.Teena Chopra separate fact from fiction when it comes to common infections, especially pneumonia, which is particularly relevant during flu season. Here is a sample of important facts and common misconceptions that can be discussed:
• Fiction: Infections are caused either by viruses only or bacteria only.
• Fact: Each year about 36,000 Americans, mostly in high risk groups such as the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, heart disease and diabetes reportedly die from flu complications such as pneumonia.
• Fiction: There is no way to tell if it’s a bacterial or viral infection
• Fact: Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections, and do not work against viruses.
• Fiction: Taking multiple, stronger antibiotics to treat a single infection is better than taking one stronger treatment.
• Fact: The FDA recently approved a new and effective treatment for bacterial pneumonia that was designed to overcome antibiotic resistance.
When you book a window, we’ll provide you with guest bio & suggested questions. Interview is courtesy: Paratek Pharmaceuticals