antibiotics Archives - Health Beat

The Importance of Not Skipping Taking Your Medications

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Michael Hinck

Anyone who has ever taken a prescription medication has probably missed taking a dose. On some occasions the reason is as simple as forgetting, on other instances it may be intentional. Whether accidental or on purpose, it’s important to know the implications of failing to take your medications and what you should do if you miss a dose.

Depending on the medication, skipping a dose or multiple doses can have a major impact on your health as many medications won’t be effective if you don’t take them when and the way they are supposed to, especially if you miss multiple doses.

Some of the consequences can include:

Missing Your Window – Some pain medications work best if you treat the symptoms before they begin. Failing to address the symptoms early on may result in difficulty suppressing potential flare-ups. This is especially true for medications intended to treat arthritis and other auto-immune disorders.
Treatment Might Not Be Effective – In instances where antibiotics are necessary to treat an infection, failing to take a full dose of your prescribed medications can cause an infection to linger or even come back stronger. Incomplete treatments may also make you resistant to antibiotics in the future.
You May Experience Withdrawal – If you miss a dose of your medication or stop taking it altogether, it can trigger chemical changes in your brain, which can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and flu-like symptoms.
Lead To Complications – If you don’t take your medications to treat hypertension, it could increase your likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke. If you fail to take your diabetes medications, it can increase your chances for kidney disease or blindness.

You should speak with your physician or pharmacist about what to do if you miss a dose or multiple doses of your medication. The answer could depend on the type of medication you are taking, the dosage, and how frequently you take it.

The retail pharmacy at Flushing Hospital is staffed with experienced pharmacists to help you with any questions about your medication adherence plan. To talk to a pharmacist, please call 718-353-3160.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Learn More About Scarlet Fever And How To Protect Your Children

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Michael Hinck

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat. As the name implies, the condition is signified by a bright red rash that covers most of the body.

Scarlet fever is most common in children five to 15 years of age. Although it was once considered a serious childhood illness, antibiotic treatments have made scarlet fever much more treatable. Still, if left untreated, scarlet fever can result in serious conditions that can affect the heart, kidneys, lungs and other parts of the body.

Common symptoms of scarlet fever include:

Red rash.The rash looks like a sunburn and feels like sandpaper. It typically begins on the face or neck and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs. If pressure is applied to the reddened skin, it will turn pale.
Red lines.The folds of skin around the groin, armpits, elbows, knees and neck usually become a deeper red than the surrounding rash.
Flushed face.The face may appear flushed with a pale ring around the mouth.
Strawberry tongue.The tongue generally looks red and bumpy, and it’s often covered with a white coating early in the disease.

The rash and the redness in the face and tongue usually last about a week. After these signs and symptoms have subsided, the skin affected by the rash often peels. Other signs and symptoms associated with scarlet fever include fever, sore throat, enlarged glands, nausea, vomiting and headache.

Scarlet fever typically spreads from person to person via droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person will usually develop symptoms between two and four days after being exposed.

There is no vaccine to prevent scarlet fever. The best prevention strategies for scarlet fever is to practice proper hand washing hygiene, avoid sharing utensils or drinking glasses, wipe down all contaminated objects and surfaces and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze.

Call your doctor immediately if your child develops any symptoms associated with scarlet fever.

To make an appointment at Flushing Hospital’s pediatric clinic, please call 718-670-5486.

Are You REALLY Allergic to Antibiotics?

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Michael Hinck

If taken correctly and not used to inappropriately combat viruses, antibiotics can be extremely effective in preventing the spread of infection. While there is a great deal of information circulating about the misuse or overuse of antibiotics, there is relatively very little shared about the underuse of antibiotics due to suspected allergies.

Many Americans are under the impression that they are allergic to antibiotics, but according to a recent New York Times article, it is estimated that up to 90 percent of antibiotic allergy claims are not legitimate. So why do so many people believe they are allergic when they are not? Most often it is not the individual’s fault; they were either falsely told by their parents that they were allergic to antibiotics when they were a child or they do not understand what constitutes an allergic reaction.

In reality, many individuals experience some type of reaction after taking antibiotics, such as an upset stomach, headache or diarrhea. These bodily responses are considered side effects, and should not be classified as an allergic reaction. A true allergic reaction is when your body treats the medication entering your system as an invader and releases chemicals called histamines to attack it.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include the development of a rash, swelling of the face, or some difficulty breathing. For most mild reactions, medications such as antihistamines or corticosteroids can be taken to treat symptoms.

In rare case however, some experience a more severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of an anaphylactic allergic reaction include:

Difficult or noisy breathing
Swelling of the tongue
Swelling or tightness in the throat
Wheezing or coughing
Dizziness or fainting
Pale complexion

Signs of an anaphylactic allergic reaction usually present within an hour of taking an antibiotic. If this type of reaction occurs, medical attention is necessary and 911 should be called immediately. Treatment for a severe allergic reaction often requires an epinephrine injection to alleviate the symptoms.

While many antibiotic allergy claims are false, there are some people who are truly allergic. For those who truly are allergic, the antibiotic that they are most frequently allergic to is penicillin, or other antibiotics that are closely associated with it. Those who suspect that they are allergic to penicillin can confirm it with a simple skin test.

With the rise of so many “super-bugs,” proper treatment of infections using the correct course of antibiotics has never been more important. Limiting the number of medications you can receive because you think you are allergic can prove to be very dangerous or even fatal.

If you believe you are allergic to antibiotics, but are not certain, speak to your doctor. Together you can discuss the pros and cons and arrive at an appropriate course of treatment.

Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center has many qualified doctors who can advise you on the correct use of antibiotics. To make an appointment, please call 718-670-5486.