Health：Antimicrobial resistance
【明報專訊】Pat: I was diagnosed with an ear infection three days ago and my family doctor prescribed antibiotics (抗生素) for me.
Bill: Bless you! Do you feel better now?
Pat: Yes, the antibiotics are really helpful! I feel a lot better and plan to stop taking antibiotics soon. I am fed up with the bitter taste of the medicine.
Bill: You should not stop taking antibiotics even if you are feeling better!
Pat: Why not? I don't feel sick anymore! It is my freedom not to take pills I don't like!
Dr Panda: Sorry for overhearing your conversation, but Bill is correct. Antimicrobial resistance(抗生素抗藥性) occurs when the bacteria evolve (進化) to become resistant to previously effective antibiotics.
Pat: What does that mean?
Dr Panda: If bacteria evolve, the antibiotics are no longer effective, and the infections could not be cured. Therefore, we should always finish the whole medical course arranged by our family doctor in order to eliminate bacteria completely. It seems to be a stupid idea to risk your life simply because of your reluctance to take the medicine.
Bill: I agree. Pat is always stupid!
Dr Panda: I don't mean to say that. Bill, one is respectable only if they respect others. Don't be mean to Pat.
■English highway﹕Fed up with
Be disappointed with or be annoyed by something, and have intention to get rid of that thing.
e.g. He got fed up with the tedious work, so he quitted his job.
■Game
Dr Panda has set a crossword to test whether Pat and Bill are familiar with medical vocabulary. Help them with the puzzle!
1. The red liquid in your body that carries oxygen and important substances to different parts of your body.
2. The vehicle used to transport the injured to the hospital.
3. A piece of cloth that is tied around an injury part of your body.
4. The act of cutting open the body and conduct suitable medical treatments.
5. A state of unconsciousness.One cannot be woken in this state.
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
diagnose (v) 診斷
conversation (n) 對話
effective (adj) 有效的
reluctance (n) 不情願
[Smarties' Power English 第308期]
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