[Born Conservative]

The differential diagnosis for cough probably includes at least DOZENS of possible causes, including asthma, reflux, cancer, pneumonia, etc. Out of just these 4 alone, only 1 would potentially be treated with antibiotics. Given the increasing problem with antibiotic-resistant infections, why would we want to take the chance on making antibiotics OTC?

I keep thinking, is this what it was like 100 years ago when people who fell ill managed to survive?

100 years ago, your chances of dying from any given illness was much greater than today; things aren't all that bad....

[the OlLine Rebel]

"100 years ago, your chances of dying from any given illness was much greater than today; things aren't all that bad...."


I know they are not, but I fear they will be if we keep going on w/all this scare stuff. Point is, until 5 years ago I did not hear people hacking on and on for years on end. Sounds like we're regressing in a way. I'm sure the people who survived influenza, typhoid, whooping, etc, often suffered these types of everlasting symptoms the rest of their days. Today is starting to sound too much like yesterday.


And you're correct, I know next to nothing about all the medical stuff, despite my uncle & aunt being good learning doctor & nurse.

But sometimes experts can't see the forest for the trees. Common sense. People are coughing continuously now. I've noticed this problem alot in so many ventures, not just this little medical thing.


And I never said anything about making antibiotics OTC. I said it shouldn't be so hard - disruptive - as to insist people see a doctor for everything, and it has to be a specific doctor who is allowed to even do it (I guess that's another great reason for all this HMO/PPO crap - easier to find out which doctor has "permission").