Staying Well With Antibiotics

When you're playing nurse, keep these tips in mind to protect yourself from sickness:

• Wash, wash, wash. Scrubbing your hands in soap and warm water for 20 seconds will kill most germs that can cause an illness. Wash your hands after coming in contact with a sick family member, before eating and after using the restroom.
• Keep the sick separate. Have those who are sick stay in one designated area — such as their bedroom — and bring food, water and medicine to them as needed. If your other children or family members are not sick, keep them out of the bedroom.
• Try not to touch. Hugs and kisses can comfort a sick loved one, but they're also a great way to spread germs. Think about other ways to show your love, such as blowing kisses or holding hands that can be washed soon afterward.
• Clean and disinfect. Make sure you use cleaning products labeled as disinfectants. Scrub common areas and frequently used items, including the remote control, the toilet handle and doorknobs.
• Continue healthy habits. It's important to keep your own immune system in tip-top shape. Eat regular, balanced meals with lots of fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. And get some rest! Don't be afraid to enlist friends and family to help care for your family if you need a break.

If a loved one has a bacterial infection (such as strep throat or an ear infection), then antibiotics can help him or her feel better faster, as well as keep from spreading germs to others. However, if a viral illness is the culprit, antibiotics will not help — and could actually hurt. Antibiotics knock out the body's good bacteria along with the bad. Take a probiotic supplement or eat yogurt while on an antibiotic to help reset your bacteria balance.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when potentially harmful bacteria no longer respond to medication, resulting in longer illnesses and more doctor visits. Resistance is caused by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, including:

• not finishing an entire course of antibiotics
• taking antibiotics for a nonbacterial illness
• taking antibiotics not prescribed to you

Talk with your doctor about whether an illness really requires an antibiotic. If an antibiotic is prescribed, take the prescription for the full time noted by the doctor, even if symptoms improve or disappear after a few days.

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