I have been sick for the last week and almost every time I catch a cold I get bronchitis. No need to go to a doctor to tell me so for I have asthma and ever since I was a kid the same thing happens the same way each time. Now I know I sound pretty bad when I cough but I guess I am used to it. To other people’s ears around me I must sound like I am dying. I don’t feel like I am dying I just have a cough. A bad one at that. Now a few of my friends have asked me if I have seen a doctor and of course I say no. They ask why not and I say because all they are going to do is tell me that I have bronchitis and give me antibiotics. They say that if you take antibiotics it will go away sooner and I say no thank you. I don’t like the idea of taking medicine that I don’t need. I believe that my body is well equipped to fight the infection itself. It might take longer than a few days but it will happen and I will be back to normal without messing up the balance of my system. I am not stubborn to the point of being ridiculous though. I do admit that there are times that I will succumb to the need of taking antibiotics. For instance, if a secondary infection occurs that shows me my body is not strong enough to fight on its own, anything in the “female” department, uti’s, and in case of a major surgery I would agree to take preventive antibiotics. So, I guess my question is antibiotics: what do you think, yeah or nay?
August 1, 2008 at 3:26 am |
hah LOL great blog!!! ,
i don´t like antibiotics, but i believe that you think you are invincible.
you must drink antibiotic
August 1, 2008 at 4:14 am |
I say Nay!
August 1, 2008 at 4:26 am |
For the summer cold going around? Antibiotics, nay (for my case). It just took me a couple weeks more to get over it. However, doctors do have other pills available, but I’m sure you know well enough to see about that. (Your friends probably just don’t want you coughing on them
.
August 1, 2008 at 5:38 am |
Take antibiotics for every normal cold could end in a antibiotic resistant “constitution”, the same way happens if we abuse of headache pills, sleep pills, etc. In other words, the day you really need extra help (in this case antibiotics); you are going to find that the antibiotic is not working de way you really need.
In medical terms, pharmacological habituation and antibiotic resistant bacteria could develop from medical abuse.
August 1, 2008 at 5:42 am |
Antibiotics tend to be over prescribed, in my opnion. This leads to perpetuating antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.
Colds are basically caused by a virus. Bronchitis (inflammation of bronchia) is also caused by viral agents, but may also be from bacteria. If your cough and inflammation only lasts a few days, it’s generally considered acute and probably doesn’t really require intervention by a physician, but it usually never hurts to see one anyway. However if your cough, wheezing, inflammation and shortness of breath lasts for a couple months or longer, it tends to be considered chronic and should be treated by an otorhinolaryngologist (a medical doctor who specializes in oral and respiratory conditions). You might consider a bronchiolialtor, which can be prescribed. Also, if you suspect it may be flu and not a cold, you might consider asking a physician about Tamiflu.
You could be suffering from summer allergies triggered by pollen or mold as well, and not a cold. If this is a the case, again, a physician may be able to help. If you have bronchitis, you may not want to use an antihistamine, you should speak with a physician about it before using one.
In the end, it’s your decision to speak with a physician. If you know it last only a few days, and you feel comfortable relying on your own body’s immune respones to take care of it, then okay fine. But if it lasts for a long time and is recurrent, I would think you might want to rule out allergies, and speak with a knowledgeable specialist or physician.
August 1, 2008 at 7:10 am |
First, loveliest of ladies, let me get rid of the neo Groucho aside ringing in my mind. When I read “(you) believe that (your) body is well equipped to fight the infection itself” I instantly thought “With a body like yours, you’re well equipped to do anything you want…”
The scientific consensus is pretty clear on the antibiotics issue; the more often you take them the less effective they are; the more often you take them the more you weaken your immune system. So, my belief is that antibiotics should only be used in the case of a severe infection in which bed rest (ahem) and mega vitamin therapy (here I differ from the scientific consensus) and good thoughts don’t do the job. Given the weather these days in San Diego – I assume you’re hanging around your home – probably the best therapy is to spend extended time lounging in the sun. So, the OC Sailorman’s suggestion is handfuls of B Complex, C and Beta Carotene washed down with fresh squeezed orange juice; languid hours in the sun re-reading Mark Twain, Calvin Trillin or any equally hilarious writer (laughter stimulates the immune system), and lots of good positive thoughts. It would also help to plan some altruistic activity that connects you with the power of good in the Universe… like deciding now how you can use your talents and celebrity to help get Barack Obama elected President.
BTW, I only joined your site recently. Indeed, I only discovered you recently (long story, that). I’d like an address (e-mail, snail mail) to which I might write with some suggestions and thoughts I have which might be useful to your business. I hope it would help repay the pleasure you’ve given me in my short acquaintance with the body (there’s that word again) of your work.
August 1, 2008 at 8:32 am |
I`m afraid I will have to say yeah. Specialy if your walking around for a longer of time with this same problem.
In the beginning of this year I was also not feeling well and I thought it was the stress around work and my new house. Therefore I thought it would go better eventualy.. After 2 months I ended up in the hospital and it seemed I had a chronical infection that had been hiding for years. I lost almost 20 kg`s weight and was in the hospital for a month. At some point I even thought I was not going to make it.
If I had knew this all before, I rather had taken some medication on forehand.. it certainly could have prevented it!
I know my situation is different then yours, but I suggest you have a good check up Aria, I hope your feeling well very soon!
August 1, 2008 at 11:16 am |
I’ve had bronchitis on and off since I was a kid too, and have gotten used to i t. So I don’t do anti-biotics anymore unless it gets really bad and doesn’t go away on its own in a week or so. Anyhow, hope you get better anyways, its no fun, even crappier in the summer.
August 1, 2008 at 1:58 pm |
I agree with you. In this instance, you know the symptoms and your body better than anyone else. I also think you should let your body fight off certain infections. I know others that pop every cold/flu/cough medicine known to man to curtail even the smallest of colds. They cannot get better without them now.
I have allergy and bronchitis issues quite often as well. Rarely do I take anything for it. I continue to take a multi vitamin, load up on vitamin C, drink more water and try to get extra sleep.
There are times where antibiotics are needed. But I am sure you can feel that as I can.
I suggest (if you are not already doing so) taking a larger dose of vitamin C every day. It really does seem to help ward off infections.
I would guess that all your travels really hurt as far as being exposed to infections. Airplanes and hotels have to be breeding grounds for germs.
I hope you feel better.
August 1, 2008 at 11:04 pm |
Shucks, that’s genius, per OC Sailorman, i.e., Mark Twain and vitamins A, C and E, and the now famous B complex, some calcium and vitamin D and fun in the sun. Who’d ever thought, laughter, vitamins (the old ACE in the hole, so to speak), plenty of bed rest and some sunlight. All too true, Barak could use a little help, too.
All puns aside, it really does sound like alergies, probably to molds, which are prolific in the summer months.
August 1, 2008 at 11:40 pm |
John Barth is always good for a laugh too, but there’s no accouting for humor these days. Perhaps The Sot Weed Factor or Chimera or Coming Soon…
August 1, 2008 at 11:48 pm |
Aria please excuse me if I make a question outside the theme of this post but is something I really want to know from you because I am Latin American, and I really don’t understand completely English terminology.
Well I see in the adult industry that sometimes WebPages and magazines refers to you has Adult model, nude model and soft-core model (all synonyms in my understanding) but also refers to you has a pornstar, pornographic model, etc…
I understand that pornstar and pornography only applies to nude model that also performs sex on camera (A.K.A. hard-core material), something that you don’t perform except in few lesbian scenes involving only implied sexual contact, and in my understanding is not the same thing and of course applies inside soft-core.
In Spanish speaking countries is a clear difference between pornographic hard-core and erotic soft-core material, the first kind of job implies to be a porn star and the second implies an adult model… that means for example that you are a nude model but not a porn star, but in other hand lets say Priya Rai even if she makes nude pictures similar to your pictures since also performs sex on camera is a porn star.
My question is the following: In English, is appropriated to reefer to you has a porn star or has an adult model?… I really don’t understand the limits of the terminology inside English language. Maybe if you want in the furure you can make an essay about this subject.
Regards and sorry to interrupt this post with my question.
Juan Esteban
August 2, 2008 at 9:34 am |
I don’t take antibiotics when i’m cold.
The human body is an amazing machine able to fight infections.
I think that today in USA and Europe we use and abuse antibiotics even when we don’t need.
And i want to remember that we are lucky!!!
Other people in other country that really need them,don’t take antibiotics becouse they don’t have this things!!
I take them only after big surgery.
I’m not a good client for my doctor
August 2, 2008 at 3:36 pm |
Aside from excruciating pain and discomfort that impairs one’s quality of life to the point where it cannot be blocked out through distraction, I tend to prefer viruses and other illnesses to dealing with doctors, overpriced drugs and insurance companies. Besides, why spoil all that fun now when we have it to look forward to in the golden years?
August 2, 2008 at 4:09 pm |
Oh yeah, I hope you feel better soon too!
August 2, 2008 at 5:39 pm |
I wonder if not taking medicine is a Scorpio thing. I’m the same way and can be stubborn as hell about it.
I find that Emergen-C or Airborn do the trick for Me. On the rare occasion that I do get sick I take one or the other and I’m usually better with in a day so, I say nay to antibiotics unless they’re really called for.
August 2, 2008 at 11:13 pm |
I would say nay…,
If you use antibiotics to much, it will lose it’s effect in the future.
only if you really need it, than you should take it.
If you feel bad at the moment, and can’t do anything, and you are breathing really really bad, than you should take it.
otherwise, relax, sick it out, and become better.
And…, become better girl.
Your fan, Tom
August 3, 2008 at 3:02 am |
I have no problem taking them. They helped me a lot. The few times that I had to take them.
August 3, 2008 at 5:04 am |
Nay. Especially since you have been able to recover just fine on your own. I work for big pharma (drug discovery) and know how they love to persuade docs into prescribing medication that is not necessary. I have my own love hate relationship with pharma
. But at what point do you give in to taking antibiotics? 2 weeks? 3 weeks? Just curious if one day it doesn’t go away and turns into something more complicated.
August 3, 2008 at 7:11 am |
trezfan- I give in when I get a secondary infection or if I am sick in bed and nothing changes when I get plenty of rest over time. Every situation would be different but I would give up when it is obvious that my body just isn’t able to do its job right.
August 3, 2008 at 1:25 pm |
It all depends on how serious the condition/illness is. I would never take antibiotics for colds and flu etc… but I’m lucky as I never seem to catch colds. I just live by the golden rule of plenty of fresh fruit & veg… which is probably why I never catch colds or flu. However, when I had a knee operation last year I had no choice (surgeons orders!) but to take antibiotics. Fortunately I was only on them for two weeks.
Hope you’re turning the corner Aria and getting better.
August 3, 2008 at 7:04 pm |
i know what you mean by taking medicine as a last resort. unless you have a very busy and tight schedule ahead of you in the next few days or so, you might want to consider the medicine. if you have the next few days to chill, then I think you could wane it out. take care
August 4, 2008 at 3:35 pm |
well…if you’re SURE you can fight it off, then no!I am confined to a wheelchair (hence the nick) and have has so many UTIs that I have worked
up an immunity to EVERY kind if med for it, except ONE!!! it’s called Cipro.God
forbid I get a UTI when we have another anthrax scare!!!they use the same med to treat that!anyhoo…now that I’ve bummed you out even more…Take care!get some rest!LOVE YOU LOTS!!!HUGS AND KISSES!!! (what a nice thought)
August 5, 2008 at 7:29 am |
I have much the same policy as you. If you turn to antibiotics too quickly and too often two things happen:
1 your body comes to depend upon them and
2 they progressively become less effective so should you ever be in real need there could be a problem.
So, I do as you do, only take antibiotics at a time of real need.
As for that Asthma, it could be worth your while checking out whether you have any allergies. Quietly keep a note of environmental factors when you get an asthma attack and see whterh there are any patterns or commonalities. Just a thought.
Love your website by the way.
August 5, 2008 at 11:09 am |
I was a little like you Aria and I still am to some degree when it comes to taking pills ect I dont like to visit the doctor I like to think that my body will mend itself but I have changed my mind a little since I have menieres which affects the 5th nerve in my right ear ..and I have now no hearing left in that ear plus it comes with lots of other problems such as vertigo and nystgumas in my eyes so if i get a head cold now I will take whatever I have to to make it go as quickly as possible as colds ect affect my ear really badly …its nice to think we can keep ourselfs going for as long as possible without medical intervention but if you are suffering with your cough I would take what I could to get rid of it ..I find colds really bring me down and I cant function as good as I would like to ..does it affect your photosets ?as I have my own website and have been having a bad vertigo attack during mine where I could harldy see ..You hear so much these days about taking too many antibotics ..they say here in Scotland that if you take too many over the years they actually stop having any affect on your body so dont help at all they are not very keen here on giving them to you for such things as a cold or sore throat but I think you would get them prescribed no problem for your cough under the circumstances .
Hope you feel better soon
Love Vivienne x
August 5, 2008 at 12:25 pm |
In France, we love to read writtings of a french doc’ called David Servan-Schreiber.
He is not alone in this world trying to remember us of this forgotten truth: body and mind are parts of the same cybernetics system.
But if you practice Yoga, PNL, etc. you should already be aware of that.
If you really believe something it will become true … Tony Robbins tried to sparkle this light too!
And what does it mean p.r. your article and your antibiotics question?
I sincerly believe that if you give sense to the Power of antibiotics, then they will have the power to help. I’m not saying antibitocis are a kind of placebo. I’m just saying we are forgetting the effect of our mind, of our beliefs: give your faith to anything else, a strong faith to some other symbol, and eventually antibiotics will become unecessary;
Pharmas industries won’t like my words … hahaha
August 5, 2008 at 12:58 pm |
I think antibiotics could help us when situation is critical, in other cases our budy must fight by itself.
August 5, 2008 at 2:23 pm |
All these people have got great comments. But none have gotten to the what causes your problem in the first place. Maybe it’s the area you live in, maybe you need to live in dry area like Arizona.
Is there a pattern, like are you getting sick from travleing, and getting wore down and not getting enough sleep, are you in humid climates, not enough nutrients for your body, maybe your inmune system is getting low, find source of your problem and you won’t have to worry about the antibotics only for emergiences. Hope you feel better, take care of your self.
August 5, 2008 at 3:05 pm |
Aria, what about massage, to relieve the toxins? My friend is a chiropractor and they try to use different manipulations of the body to fight infection. I take antibiotics in the second phase as you do, but like with the sinus infection that I had this week, some zinc helped boost my immune system and helped clear things up in a few days.
August 5, 2008 at 4:28 pm |
i agree, i really dont take antibiotics unless i absolutely have to.
btw, is the live chat website working? Cuz I couldnt get on for Jelena’s and I really dont wanna miss yours tomorrow…
August 5, 2008 at 6:57 pm |
Hi Aria. As an ex Lab tech working in the dept. of Virology and Bacteriology I can say with some confidence that You SHOULD NOT take antibiotics! The right thing to do is go to your doc and ask him to TEST for the appropiate treatment and prescribe the RIGHT anti bio appropiate for your illness.
General anti bio’s KILL YOUR FRIENDLY bacteria which may result in nausea and certain other stomach upsets and DO NOTHING to kill the guilty bacteria.
August 5, 2008 at 9:58 pm |
Hey Aria…
Something very off topic.
.
I wanted to mail this personally, but couldn’t find an mail adres.., but it’s oke, I’ll do it here
First off all, i didn’t know you had an blog, so this is the greatest thing you ever did…, and somehow it feels good, and it suits you.
It comes with the personality i’ve come to love from you.
You are the most greatest person in the business, and when i see you, I get the “she could be your girlfriend” kind of feeling.
I’ve been hopping trough the blog, reading some of the things, and I agree with you, you need to relax, and take time for your self, as long as it takes, or else you collapse some day, and get into an downward spiral, you can’t get out of.
Second.., I like your travelling, and most off all, I like the photo’s that are added.
As well on your site, http://www.ariagiovanni.com.
Don’t know if you make them yourself, but nature shoots, are great.
And nice to have seen your brother and sister, where you sister looks like you, only older (duh.).
So.., that where the things I wanted to say.
Could have said them on the chat, but hey, your sick, so stay in bed.
And I’m from Holland, so it would be like 3 am in the morning to chat.., that would be madness.
Hope you read this, hope you don’t mind this, and hope you get better soon.
Greetz, Tom, x
August 5, 2008 at 11:29 pm |
Hi Miss Giovanni!
I’m sorry to read you’ve been so sick.
You were asking your readers what they think of antibiotics, so here’s my take for what it’s worth to you.
No one knows you and your body better than YOU do. If you’ve had positive results from using them and they get you well faster, then by all means, use them. But what V.J. said is also right: pinpoint the ones that are specific to that illness and take that one. You’re trying to kill one type of bacteria here, not a hundred.
So, in short Miss Giovanni, I would say “Yay” but only one specifically aimed at that illness.
I hope you feel better very soon. Take care pretty lady… David R.
August 6, 2008 at 1:59 am |
Hello Italian Godess, with your highly seasoned sexy self. Antibiotics can be ok, since your not into taking meds, try some soup, green tea, and vitamin C. They are allies aiding your immune system, then if that does not work go see a doc. They can give a steriod shot in the hip, butt, or arm, I hope you feel better soon, and that this info helps. J. Slaughter
August 6, 2008 at 10:48 am |
try broncaid. it loosen the flem and u get a good rest. within 1 day you will feel like yourself. it’s not classified as an antibiotic and you can get it over the counter.
August 7, 2008 at 7:24 pm |
I’ve taken antibiotics and felt like they did nothing, but maybe they did. Who knows. I think sometimes the body may need the extra help of antibiotics. I think really you just have to follow your doctors instructions if you want your health to improve. If they’re trust worthy and experienced, then I don’t see why you shouldn’t follow their advice.
Looking at this a different way (from an Eastern religion point of view): it’s really all karmic. If we’re destined to be sick, then no matter what medicine we take or what preventative measures we take, we’ll still be sick. I’m sure you’ve experienced this where you’ve tried different remedies for an illness only to find that nothing makes it better except time itself. And I’m sure you’ve taken your daily doses of vitamin C only to find yourself getting sick at some point. Illness and suffering are inevitably due to our past and current bad karma. Of course that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t treat or address whatever problems we’re experiencing.
Anyway, hope you’re feeling better.
August 9, 2008 at 4:39 pm |
Aria, what do you think about my situation and taking antibiotics? For the past year I have been volunteering for an underserved clinic in downtown San Diego, where 1/4 our patients are homeless and many are very ill. Every year it is mandatory to get the TB skin test done. Last year, I was fine. This year I tested positive for exposure to the tuberculosis mycobacterium.
I had to get a chest x-ray taken, which turned out negative for active TB. But my company (J&J), wants me to start the prophylactic antibiotic regimen, which consists of oral daily doses of Isonazaid for 9-12 months! My doctor hasn’t mentioned antibiotics at all.
Now my boss, who is a renown pharmacologist (not a MD), said don’t take the antibiotics, as it wipes out all the good flora in your gut, and may make you anemic. I’m already borderline anemic.
Also, it can lead to liver damage, and can make for resistant strains of bacteria (other than TB). I’m really resisting taking the antibiotics as well, considering less than 10% of exposed cases develop active TB. If active, TB is treatable and curable.
Do you think it’s worth taking a 9-12 month regimen of stringent antibiotics only for prophylactic purposes?
Heather
August 11, 2008 at 11:55 pm |
of course
August 12, 2008 at 12:54 pm |
In my opinion,There is anything chance when we are very cold.We have to take antibiotics.There are a lot of useful C vitamins fruid.For example Kiwi is very useful.Also Tisane is very famous drink in Turkey when somebody is cold.
I hope that you feel better today.
Best wishes,
Kiss you
August 12, 2008 at 2:58 pm |
Hi Aria,
If Somebody is cold,Kiwi is very useful a kind of fruit.Trisane is very useful drink.So we can say that it is not necessary to take antibiotic everytime.
August 15, 2008 at 11:33 pm |
i use cereals fruit juice and fruits as the only foods i eat, and hot teas and honey as the only other stuff, you could use natural antibiotics like adding honeysuckle to your tea if you have the flu, stay away from carbs like pastas meats and vegetables fruits are high in sugars most have antioxidants and vitamin c with some light protein and not alot of fats the vitamin b complex is good to support it, i only eat cereal in the morning and night, i also use steam therapy, ui boil a whole pot o fwater in the kettle, make a big cup of tea with honey and lemon, usually green tea, and i pour the rest in a bowl and put a towel over my head so i get the congestion out, i snack on honey for energy and to soothe my throat, and never swallow that ish you cough up, phelm, it will just keep you sick, i also do another no no and smoke while i have it, so lemons oranges kiwis strawberrys watermelon and grapes are good, grapefruits too but who eats grapefruits, im the only one i know who eats limes, i eat half at a time i cant eat a whole one, my grandmother used to eat grapefruits but i could never i guess when i was a child i tried and ever since then its a sub conscious no
September 1, 2008 at 1:10 am |
I say, “Nay”, because not only does it kill the bad cells that are attacking you, it also kills good cells as well. I’ve also had Bronchial Asthma all of my life and “yes” you can tell if you need antibiotics or not, your body will let you know when it is serious enough or not. Plus, they make you feel SO horrible!!! Just an opinion.
Dwight
December 13, 2008 at 5:18 pm |
Hi Aria,
I am not able to say anything as my opinion wants to say that its better we should understand our problems and should solve with our own views,taking others opinion never gives us solution and making our problems more complicated,Any way only wants to say that I love you and wish you healthy life with all required immunity to fight out with your boday nature. I pray god. May god bless you with a solution that will help you come out of illness and you may have a beautiful life full healthyness,joy and hapiness.
Love you so much.
Take care
bigfan
February 18, 2009 at 3:56 pm |
Ever since 1995, I have been taking Warfarin tablets for my blood count and as a result I need to watch what and how much pain pills I take. Which makes it even more challenging as I also suffer from chronic back and knee pain. And I’ll admit that first I relied on the codeine more that maybe needed but now after about ten years of having this, I just get on with it and as unnautural as it sounds you do get used to the pain to the point where you just live with it. As far as the common goes? I pretty much have to be coughing up my lungs before I even think about seeing a doctor, or getting medicne. I don’t really like taking anymore mediction than reqiured as I believe you may develop a placebo type complex.
May 29, 2009 at 12:14 am |
I say “nay”. In so many cases where antibiotics are prescribed they do nothing but make it so your body is more resistant to future antibiotics actually working.
Just try and take care of yourself.