44 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • DECEMBER 1, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com health Hey Medicare patients: Be smart about antibiotics! Flu season is here again, but if you get sick, antibiotics won’t always help you. If you get a cold or fl u, antibiotics could do more harm than good. That’s because these are viral infections, and antibiotics only cure bacterial infections. Every time you take antibiotics, they kill sensitive bacteria, but resistant germs can survive to grow and multiply. These resistant germs are called “antibiotic resistant,” and they can lead to severe infections, hospitalizations and death — especially among people over 65. The CDC has marked this week as Get Smart About Antibiotics Week. Here are three things you can do to make sure you’re using antibiotics the right way: Take antibiotics only to treat bacterial infections. It should be for only as long as your doctor prescribed to treat the infection, to reduce your risk of getting the infection again, or to reduce the risk to those around you. Always talk to your doctor before taking an antibiotic to be sure it will treat the infection you have. Never take antibiotics for a viral infection, like a cold, cough or fl u. Antibiotics won’t cure your virus, they won’t keep those around you from getting sick, and they won’t help you feel better. In fact, taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do you more harm than good, because you increase your risk of getting an antibiotic-resistant infection later. Antibiotics won’t help you recover from the fl u, but you can keep yourself from catching the major fl u viruses in the fi rst place by getting your fl u shot! It’s free for people with Medicare, once per fl u season when given by doctors or other health care providers (like senior centers and pharmacies) that take Medicare. “Get smart” today. Learn when antibiotics can work for you. From the Medicare Blog, http://blog. medicare.gov. Not everything can be treated with penicillin FREEDOM TO CHOOSE YOUR THERAPIST YOU are the most important member of your health care team. YOU are entitled to choose the most appropriate therapist to meet your needs. Call or come tour our facility. Our staff will be happy to talk with you, answer all of your questions and explain what we can do for you. 516-488-8808 Medicare Accepted Provider 1999 Marcus Avenue, Suite M15 Call today to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions: 516-488-8808 2015 st MEDICARE APPROVED PROVIDER www.AgeWellPT.com of the THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com Place Lake Success, NY 11042 Now offering physical and occupational therapy Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s isn’t always easy. REACHING US IS. If you care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss or dementia, you are not alone. We’re here day and night offering support and expert information. alz.org/care 800.272.3900 FREE 24/7 HELPLINE Available In Over 200 Languages Supported in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Health.
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