[QUOTE=Opebo]What do you fellows suggest, that we simply not treat the ailment? We might as well use the antibiotics while they are effective.
As for the supposition that a 'layman' cannot adequately inform himself of the various characteristics of something as simple as an antibiotic, and should feel compelled to seek the advice of the shamen, well, pshaw.[/QUOTE]
Opebo. This is not the fight club, so I'll be polite. I have no idea what country you come from( though I can guess), nor indeed which planet sometimes, but most civilised countries have legislation concerning drugs. Usually they folow a 'schedule'. Certain drugs are deemed safe enough for any moron to use without much advice or supervision, some require a pharmacist only to supply them, and some require a doctor. For the lower down the scale drugs like antibiotics, doctors prescribe because there are inherant risks of non-compliance with the required regieme, and of adverse effects/inactivation of the drug by other drugs or remedies. Doctors get pretty frequent updates on how drugs are going in the general population, and they do after all spend the best part of 5 years studying the body not just in detail, but understanding the interaction of various body systems, shall we say a holistic view.
As I have stated before, there are reasons why many organisms are resistant to for example antibiotics. That is because of impropper use by professionals and amateurs alike, and these days there is a push for a more considered approach right drug, right dose, right method of delivery, etc.
Whatever you may read on the internet is probably out of date or the opinion of one group of people, or one person, with a vested interest, or a big ego.
Without doing microbial plates, or a DNA test, you cannot be sure just what infection you have. Please accept that. That's what growing cultures, Gram staining, DNA testing, antibody reactions and more is all about.
Many strains of syphillis, and quite a few of gonnorhoea have acquired antibiotic resistance, and- well I didn't want to go into all this shit but...
Ok, there are what is called sub-clinical infections. You may have a pathogen actively living in you, but it is kept in control just about enough by your natural flora ( which hopefully you haven't killed off) and your immune system, oh, and by your mucosa. There is at least 3 ways as far as I can remember how bacteria can exchange genetic information, and a self dosage of AB can kill maybe 99.9% of bacteria, but maybe that .1% that has mutated when multiplying, or has exchanged genetic information with your normal flora which have become resistant to that AB, lives. Its 'progeny' may not have the complete ability to overcome your body's systems and give you the full-blown symptoms, but they could still be lurking, with you probably being infectious, and being in for a rude shock when yo get your next dose, because sure as fuck, they'll pass their information on.
When you go to a doctor/pox clinic, they take samples and the microbiologists will decide what strain of what pathogen you have. Sure, the doc will give you a large dose, fairly broad spectrum AB, but you will be advised that you could be infectious until they know exactly what you have, treat it accordingly, and get re-tested. Simple, eh?
Tell you what. If you're so good at self medicating, hows about if you suffer from a bit of cardiac failure, grab yorself some Foxglove leaves ( look for Digoxin and Digitalis when you do your search) and see how well you self medicate on them!
I could go on and on, but I was accused on another thread of giving a lesson, so I'll stop here.
Finally, and don't get me wrong, I know and understand the arrogance of the medical profession, but it's like this. Electricians do the wiring, plumbers do the pipes, mechanics do the car, accountants do the taxes, doctors sort the diseases.
Live long and prosper.
Pete