Central California Alliance for Health | Living Healthy | March 2018

M ost likely you know that germs make you feel sick, but did you know that there are two types of germs? The treatment you get depends on the type of germ that caused you to get sick. 1. Viruses cause colds and sore throats, and they need to run their course. Antibiotics do not work to treat illness caused by viruses. 2. Bacteria cause ear and sinus infections. Antibiotics do work for these illnesses, and antibiotics will be prescribed. If you use antibiotics to treat a virus, your body will soon become used to the antibiotic. Then, if you later get an infection caused by bacteria, the antibiotic won’t be able to fight the bacteria in your body. Your doctor may have to give you a stronger medication or a larger amount to kill the bacteria when this happens. The best treatment for viruses is sleep, drinking water or juices, and taking over-the-counter medication as advised by your doctor. If you have questions about your symptoms, call your Primary Care Provider. You can also call the Alliance Nurse Advice Line at 1-844-971-8907 , 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s free, fast and easy. For the Hearing or Speech Assistance Line, call 1-800-735-2929 (TTY: Dial 7-1-1 ). A new resource for members The Alliance online member Health and Wellness Calendar is here! You can find information and resources on behavioral and mental health, nutrition and fitness, pain management and alternative treatments, social support services and domestic violence, and substance use and tobacco cessation. To view the calendar, visit: ccah-alliance.org/health-and-wellness-calendar.html . Click on your county to find resources near you. Classes or programs are offered at no cost, low cost or on a sliding scale to help you and your family live a healthier life. When should you expect to get antibiotics? living healthy 5 your care