Can you please comment on what the ramifications of widespread distribution and use of the wellness kits would be on antibiotic resistance of bacteria to which we are exposed? Should users be concerned, or is it a non-issue so long as they complete the full course of antibiotics each time they use them? I've always thought that this is one key reason why antibiotics generally require a prescription.
Years ago, when I was a nurse practitioner in primary care, patients would come to me demanding an Rx for Z-Pak (azithromycin) for every little sniffle. “I want to nip it in the bud,” they would say. I would instruct them in nonpharmacologic methods, such as nasal hygiene, give them a recipe for making their own normal saline for sinus irrigation and other remedies, but they were not satisfied unless they got that Z-pak. If, after taking a history and doing a physical exam, I told them that their symptoms were likely viral and explained that antibiotics are not effective against viruses, and I explained about the growing problem of antibiotic resistance from the over-use of antibiotics, they still wanted their Z-pak. If I said it would be inappropriate for me to issue that Rx, they would complain to the MD I was working with and they got their Rx for the Z-pack. Think of how long that visit took. The doctors would tell me to just Rx the antibiotic and not take the time for the proper evaluation. I’m concerned about all of these kits being sold as a “pre-prescription,” although I would be have to have my own stash for just in case. In fact, I do have IVM, HCQ and azithromycin on hand myself. Mostly because where I live you probably could not get the IVM or HCQ to treat COVID, even if you had an Rx. IVM, at least is not available in the appropriate dosage at the local pharmacies.
Allie, in 2021 when I got Covid, I knocked that out with Ivermectin, but a bit later got the bacterial lung infection (I assume, from symptoms, did not see a doctor except an on line to get a prescription for Z-Pak). I ordered the Z-Pak, and also a nebulizer and the Saline/H2O2/Iodine for Dr. Mercola's protocol (which is the same as Dr. Brownstein's except 0.1% H2O2 instead of 0.04%)
The nebulizer came one day before the Z-Pak. The nebulizer was so effective I never used the Z-Pak. That made me feel a bit stupid for not having the nebulizer on hand as Mercola strongly suggested.
A nebulizer is a very good investment. It is very effective. Years ago, I developed a slight wheeze...and my daughter used her nebulizer. It was gone immediately..
30 years ago I worked with people that would stockpile antibiotics that they were prescribed. They would take them until they felt better, stop, and not complete the course. Then hold onto what was left for the next time they thought they needed them.
We don’t live in a perfect world, as I’m sure you know. There’s no substitute for educating yourself and having tools available for self help. I would like people to be smarter about a whole range of things, but all you can do is the best you can for your own family.
Down here in Florida swamp, the window shaker AC unit stays on all the time for 5 months and gets kinda funky in the extreme swamp humidity. I clean it by spraying white vinegar in the air intake side and wash the coils down until they come shiny. Makes the house smell like salad dressing for a while, but very effective at cleansing the AC. You can do it on big units too. Vinegar works great, is non toxic, and is cheap and plentiful.
Centers for Disease Control. Just think about the title of this enterprise. What does it really mean to control disease? Could it mean to make them fit for purpose? Double meanings abound.
I strongly recommend the kit. With healthcare being what it is today I trust myself as an retired NP to treat myself if necessary. It is almost impossible to get a 5-15 minute rushed appointment with a primary care. Urgent Care is no better. The Emergency Room is a 24-48 hour wait. No thanks. The kits are lifesaving for travelers.
All the more reason to properly learn how to clean fruits and vegetables. I used to work for an organic food certification company, and one of the food scientists taught me how to do it: place whatever it is... blueberries, lettuce, broccoli... into a big bowl of clean cold water. Add a single drop of dishwashing detergent (regular "organic" soap, not DAWN), or spray with produce wash and soak, then move the produce around in the water with your hands. Let the produce soak a minute or two -- literally, 60-120 seconds, set a timer -- and then rinse well. This will eliminate most pesticide residues and dangerous microorganisms. (NOTE: "organic" refers to what goes into THE SOIL. Farmers still spray all products with pesticides. Just because it's organic doesn't mean that you don't have to wash it.)
Very good point Elizabeth about fluoroquinolones. They are reported to cause problems with connective tissue - specifically increased incidences of achilles tendon ruptures and damaging heart valves.
They are to be used as antibiotics of last resort when nothing else works or will work. In my view they should not be put in a medical kit for the general public to purchase without appropriate medical advisement and checks in place.
People need to focus on building up their natural immunity by eating nutrient-rich foods that strengthen the immune system; and not put anything into the mouth, which will wipe out the immune system. I went 20 years without a sniffle, until i ate a food, which I shouldn't have eaten. One's natural immune system can protect one from diseases. I don't use antibiotics, because they wipe out healthy bacteria in the body. After they are used, the healthy bacteria are wiped out, too. The next time one is exposed to bacteria, virus or whatever, one won't have any resistance. I came down with CV...and my daughter insisted that i would take her HCQ, because I was in my eighties. Well, I took it and went to sleep at 6 pm and slept 18 hours. Then, I got up and had breakfast. Later on, I was at gatherings with people who had taken the CV vaccine...and it didn't affect me. However, each time, my daughter would wind up sick in bed the next day. She is into eating organic foods, but many of the foods she eats are processed.. I try to eat as much raw fruit and vegetables as possible.
Can you please comment on what the ramifications of widespread distribution and use of the wellness kits would be on antibiotic resistance of bacteria to which we are exposed? Should users be concerned, or is it a non-issue so long as they complete the full course of antibiotics each time they use them? I've always thought that this is one key reason why antibiotics generally require a prescription.
Years ago, when I was a nurse practitioner in primary care, patients would come to me demanding an Rx for Z-Pak (azithromycin) for every little sniffle. “I want to nip it in the bud,” they would say. I would instruct them in nonpharmacologic methods, such as nasal hygiene, give them a recipe for making their own normal saline for sinus irrigation and other remedies, but they were not satisfied unless they got that Z-pak. If, after taking a history and doing a physical exam, I told them that their symptoms were likely viral and explained that antibiotics are not effective against viruses, and I explained about the growing problem of antibiotic resistance from the over-use of antibiotics, they still wanted their Z-pak. If I said it would be inappropriate for me to issue that Rx, they would complain to the MD I was working with and they got their Rx for the Z-pack. Think of how long that visit took. The doctors would tell me to just Rx the antibiotic and not take the time for the proper evaluation. I’m concerned about all of these kits being sold as a “pre-prescription,” although I would be have to have my own stash for just in case. In fact, I do have IVM, HCQ and azithromycin on hand myself. Mostly because where I live you probably could not get the IVM or HCQ to treat COVID, even if you had an Rx. IVM, at least is not available in the appropriate dosage at the local pharmacies.
Allie, in 2021 when I got Covid, I knocked that out with Ivermectin, but a bit later got the bacterial lung infection (I assume, from symptoms, did not see a doctor except an on line to get a prescription for Z-Pak). I ordered the Z-Pak, and also a nebulizer and the Saline/H2O2/Iodine for Dr. Mercola's protocol (which is the same as Dr. Brownstein's except 0.1% H2O2 instead of 0.04%)
The nebulizer came one day before the Z-Pak. The nebulizer was so effective I never used the Z-Pak. That made me feel a bit stupid for not having the nebulizer on hand as Mercola strongly suggested.
A nebulizer is a very good investment. It is very effective. Years ago, I developed a slight wheeze...and my daughter used her nebulizer. It was gone immediately..
30 years ago I worked with people that would stockpile antibiotics that they were prescribed. They would take them until they felt better, stop, and not complete the course. Then hold onto what was left for the next time they thought they needed them.
These were college educated white collar workers.
So true. And, they often gave their leftovers to friends and family members.
We don’t live in a perfect world, as I’m sure you know. There’s no substitute for educating yourself and having tools available for self help. I would like people to be smarter about a whole range of things, but all you can do is the best you can for your own family.
Down here in Florida swamp, the window shaker AC unit stays on all the time for 5 months and gets kinda funky in the extreme swamp humidity. I clean it by spraying white vinegar in the air intake side and wash the coils down until they come shiny. Makes the house smell like salad dressing for a while, but very effective at cleansing the AC. You can do it on big units too. Vinegar works great, is non toxic, and is cheap and plentiful.
This legionella story makes a strong case for having one of these kids. But absent medical knowledge, how would one know to take them?
Medical kits
Centers for Disease Control. Just think about the title of this enterprise. What does it really mean to control disease? Could it mean to make them fit for purpose? Double meanings abound.
I strongly recommend the kit. With healthcare being what it is today I trust myself as an retired NP to treat myself if necessary. It is almost impossible to get a 5-15 minute rushed appointment with a primary care. Urgent Care is no better. The Emergency Room is a 24-48 hour wait. No thanks. The kits are lifesaving for travelers.
All the more reason to properly learn how to clean fruits and vegetables. I used to work for an organic food certification company, and one of the food scientists taught me how to do it: place whatever it is... blueberries, lettuce, broccoli... into a big bowl of clean cold water. Add a single drop of dishwashing detergent (regular "organic" soap, not DAWN), or spray with produce wash and soak, then move the produce around in the water with your hands. Let the produce soak a minute or two -- literally, 60-120 seconds, set a timer -- and then rinse well. This will eliminate most pesticide residues and dangerous microorganisms. (NOTE: "organic" refers to what goes into THE SOIL. Farmers still spray all products with pesticides. Just because it's organic doesn't mean that you don't have to wash it.)
I hope the kit's accompanying literature informs people of the dangers of both sulfa antibiotics and fluoroquinolones.
Very good point Elizabeth about fluoroquinolones. They are reported to cause problems with connective tissue - specifically increased incidences of achilles tendon ruptures and damaging heart valves.
They are to be used as antibiotics of last resort when nothing else works or will work. In my view they should not be put in a medical kit for the general public to purchase without appropriate medical advisement and checks in place.
People need to focus on building up their natural immunity by eating nutrient-rich foods that strengthen the immune system; and not put anything into the mouth, which will wipe out the immune system. I went 20 years without a sniffle, until i ate a food, which I shouldn't have eaten. One's natural immune system can protect one from diseases. I don't use antibiotics, because they wipe out healthy bacteria in the body. After they are used, the healthy bacteria are wiped out, too. The next time one is exposed to bacteria, virus or whatever, one won't have any resistance. I came down with CV...and my daughter insisted that i would take her HCQ, because I was in my eighties. Well, I took it and went to sleep at 6 pm and slept 18 hours. Then, I got up and had breakfast. Later on, I was at gatherings with people who had taken the CV vaccine...and it didn't affect me. However, each time, my daughter would wind up sick in bed the next day. She is into eating organic foods, but many of the foods she eats are processed.. I try to eat as much raw fruit and vegetables as possible.