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4 wellone Connection www.huronregional.org Protect Yourself THE NEXT TIME YOU GET SICK, THINK TWICE ABOUT ASKING FOR AN ANTIBIOTIC. CIRCLE YOUR ANSWERS. True or false: The term "superbug" refers to bacteria that is extremely resilient and cannot be killed with standard antibiotics. A. True B. False Antibiotics only treat infections caused by bacteria. What illnesses are examples of bacterial infections? A. Urinary tract infections B. Influenza C. Gastroenteritis, or stomach "flu" D. Strep throat E. A and D F. B and C How long should you wash your hands? A. 10 seconds B. 20 seconds C. 30 seconds Eric C. Chow, MD, FACP What color mucus or nasal discharge signals a bacterial infection is present? A. Green B. Yellow C. Clear D. The color of mucus or nasal discharge isn't a reliable way to tell the difference between viruses and bacterial infections. Fight Back Most viral infections just have to run their course. If you have a runny nose, cough, sore throat or other cold symptoms, you can likely wait and see if your symptoms improve before scheduling a doctor's visit. Rest, plenty of fluids and over-the-counter remedies can make your symptoms more bearable – just be sure to talk with your physician or pharmacist about potential medication reactions if you also take prescription drugs. When should you see your doctor? Difficulty breathing or other severe symptoms warrant an evaluation. You should also visit your physician if you have a fever that persists for more than five days. ■ Need a primary care provider? Dr. Chow is currently accepting new patients. Call (605) 353-7660 to make an appointment or visit www.hrmcphysiciansclinic.org for more information. Think you aced this quiz? Clip it and mail us your answers! Community members who answer all four questions correctly will be entered to win an Outback Steakhouse gift card. You can email answers to info@huronregional.org or mail a hard copy to HRMC Contest, 172 Fourth Street SE, Huron, SD 57350. Deadline is March 15. TAKE THE GERM CHALLENGE ✁ "PEOPLE MISTAKENLY BELIEVE that antibiotics are needed to get better quickly," says Eric C. Chow, MD, FACP, internal medicine physician at HRMC Physicians Clinic. "They ask for antibiotics when they have respiratory illnesses, such as a cold or the flu. Antibiotics kill bacteria, but the majority of respiratory infections are from viruses, which antibiotics do not treat." Overuse of antibiotics can contribute to unnecessary side effects without providing any benefits. "Most importantly, overuse can create antibiotic resistance," continues Dr. Chow. "These resistant bacteria do not die from most standard antibiotic therapy and can be life threatening if the infection is severe."