Auntie Biotic's Problem Page

by Shelley White

Dear Auntie Biotic

I feel dreadful. I've got a sore throat, earache, a headache and a temperature. It feels a bit like flu. Can you and your antibiotic family help me at all?

Yours
All Stuffed Up

Dear All Stuffed Up

It sounds like you've got a common infection of the nose, throat and ears. These sorts of infections and flu-like illnesses are caused by viruses. Antibiotics don't kill viruses, so no, I can't help you here.

All I can do is give you the following advice. Take some painkillers to reduce your temperature and to ease your aches, pains and headache. Drink plenty of fluids so you don't get dehydrated. Don't wrap yourself up if you have a temperature but try and cool down. This is especially important with children. You can take a decongestant for your blocked-up nose - your pharmacist can advise you on this and any other specific symptoms.

You won't feel so good for a few days until the virus infection clears but the above advice will treat your symptoms - so, hang in there, you'll soon be feeling much better.

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Dear Auntie Biotic

I need your help. I keep being sick and I've got diarrhoea.

Yours
Lou Roll

Dear Lou

In my opinion, you have a virus infection of the gut. Antibiotics aren't needed for virus infections. If you're usually well, your immune system will fight off this type of infection in a few days. You too should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration - at least 200ml after each watery stool - this is in addition to what you'd normally drink. Rehydration drinks are ideal as they provide the perfect balance of water, salts and sugar. Try and eat as normally as possible. You may not feel like food and most adults can do without food for a few days - just aim to eat as soon as you feel able. You mustn't stop drinking though. Anti-diarrhoea drugs aren't usually necessary but if you want to make fewer trips to the loo, you can get 'loperamide', the best treatment, from the pharmacy. If your symptoms are severe and keep hanging on, you'll need to see your doctor.

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Dear Auntie Biotic

I'm really worried. I've been ill with a virus - a bad cough and a sore throat for over a week now. I've been taking paracetamol and cough medicine but it's getting worse. I'm coughing up thick gunk and I've started getting pain in my chest. What should I do?

Yours
Izzy Tserious

Dear Izzy

You've been doing the right thing taking the paracetamol and the cough medicine but as your illness appears to be worse, showing no sign of clearing and in addition, you now have another symptom, you should see a doctor to review the situation. I don't know if you have an ongoing (chronic) lung disease, but if you have, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. I fear you may have an infection caused by bacteria - in which case, antibiotics may be needed. So see a doctor - now!

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Dear Auntie Biotic

My son, Will, was removing Harry, his hamster, from its cage so that the cage could be cleaned. Harry must have got frightened because he gave Will a nasty bite on his thumb with his extremely sharp teeth. We cleaned the wound with antiseptic but his thumb has now started to swell up with yellow pus. Can you help, please?

Yours
Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Dear Once Bitten

It's obvious that bite's infected and antibiotics will certainly do the trick here. It's an open and shut case - or should I say 'cage'? Take Will to see a doctor as soon as possible so that the antibiotics can start working straight away. The doctor or nurse may want to clean the wound themselves if it's large or deep. It needs to be covered with a sterile non-sticky dressing too. Maybe Will could wear some sort of protective gloves when handling Harry in future . . .

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Dear Auntie Biotic

My doctor gave me antibiotics for a bacterial infection. They got rid of the infection but now I'm all itchy down below. Could it be Thrush? What should I do?

Yours
Ant Inmypants

Dear Ant

I sympathise - that can be distressing. The antibiotics have probably caused the problem. Antibiotics kill the 'good' bacteria inside you and taking them can cause side-effects such as diarrhoea, feeling sick and rashes. The moral is - if you don't need them, steer clear of them. Don't take them 'just in case' - you're not doing yourself any favours.

The pharmacy can advise on what to do for Thrush. Basically, there are various pessaries and creams which you insert into the vagina - one dose should do the trick. It sounds like it's itchy so you may want to rub some anti-yeast cream onto the skin around the vagina for a few days too. Or, your pharmacist can advise on which tablets to take, as a single dose, or as two doses over the course of a day. Your doctor can prescribe the tablets for you also. If it doesn't clear up after a week, you need to see your doctor.

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Dear Auntie Biotic

I've taken antibiotics several times this year for various infections. They didn't work last time. Why not?

Yours
Overworked

Dear Overworked

There's a simple answer to your question. Antibiotics stop working if they're overused. Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics over time and they can stop working when they're needed most. So, don't take them when you don't really need them.

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Please note: Next week Auntie Biotic is taking a well-earned rest. Don't panic - Auntie Dote will be here to answer all your medical queries.