I hear a lot of folks talking about stocking up on antibiotics, and I have no argument with that. BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT: Cipro, and other powerful antibiotics, are going to work very well for anthrax - UNLESS EVERYONE STARTS TAKING THEM WILLY-NILLY. I understand your concerns, and don't think that I don't share them 100%. But as you all know from listening to the health news over the past few years, many very nasty diseases like TB and some sexually transmitted fun-and-games are no longer responding to anything but the latest and greatest drugs, and that's only for a limited time, until they develop resistance to them as well.

If you must keep Cipro and other drugs around, keep the following guidelines in mind:

Do not dose yourself "preventatively" if no anthrax has been confirmed in your area. If you have been exposed to any "strange powdery substances", wash off thoroughly (make a godawful wet mess around the office bathroom sink if you have to) and call the authorities - the time it takes them to get to you and size up the neccessity (or lack thereof) for giving you antibiotics isn't going to make a difference in your prognosis.

If a source of anthrax is CONFIRMED and you have been exposed, or believe you could have been, then use your best judgement on dosing yourself and your family, but get to a doctor fast for a confirmed diagnosis, so that you do not unwittingly make yourself more susceptible to anthrax and other beasties by unneccessarily killing off the good bacteria in your body with the antibiotics, thereby leaving the bad guys nothing but wide open spaces to colonize in. Or, by casual and non-infectious exposure, accidentally create a lethally resistant form of anthrax itself. Remeber, anthrax cannot be "caught" person-to-person. So even if you were possibly exposed to the disease, unless your family was there, too, (or were exposed to something on your clothing, in the event of a "crop dusting" type event, for example) they are safe.

Remember that these powerful antibiotcs can cause severe side effects and allergic reactions in anyone, even those who have taken them successfully in the past. Keep an few epi-kits on hand, as well as some electrolyte formulas (for gastrointestinal effects) and other similar supplies in case someone goes down with the evil nasties.

Once you have been checked out by a doc and are okay, quit taking the drugs. The longer you're on them unneccessarily, the likelier it is that you will aid in the creation of an antibiotic resistant something-or-other, which could very well be the next plague that no medicine will stop. Cipro and similar drugs are strong stuff and bugs resistant to them are a real and terrifying prospect. We are running out of drugs to run to, folks. Don't make it worse than it already is out of unsupported fear.

Remember, if you are going to go to take on the adult responsibility of maintaining an inventory of powerful drugs, you also need to remember your responsibilities (both to yourself, and to the world around you) to use these tools wisely and in a manner that does not replace reasoned concern with knee-jerk fear. Plus, don't forget that if this gets out of hand, it will force the government to feel that it is neccessary to put even heavier restrictions on the availability of such drugs in the future. "Well, it has been absolutely proven that the American people are just not capable of judicious use of these drugs when given the opportunity, just as we have always speculated..." Don't give them a good reason to make our lives more difficult than they already do. Imagine a not-too-hard-to-imagine scenario where you have to go to the vet for all of your animals' antibiotics and shots, no ifs, ands, or buts.

Some of you think that that the collapse of the World Trade Center towers was a serendipitous bonus for the terrorists, creating far more damage than they had counted on, and that may well be the case. We could do nothing to stop that. But how awful would it be if, by simple fear mongering and their reliance on our own fears of disease and headstrong distrust of government and the news media, the terrorists reaped the extra harvests of a drug resistant strain of anthrax (and other diseases), thousands hospitalized with side effects and other antibiotic reactions, and mass hysteria (not to mention further government restrictions on our own future access to these drugs, creating further internal dissent and strain) with no effort or expense on their part, aside from the cost of a box of envelopes, a sheet of stamps, and a bottle of talcum powder.

Be safe, but be sane.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), October 13, 2001

Answers

Dear Soni, What are Epi kits? Yes I agree with you completly, I still would like to have some in case of a dire emergency. And I would just put in drawer, hopefully never to be used. Kinda wondering about our resturants now, and the buffet tables. Kinda makes you lose your appetite. Thanks for your input, It really makes sense. Irene

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), October 13, 2001.

I may be the odd man out here but, how can people be stockpileing antibiotics when I can't even get my doctor to give me any for sinus infection?

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), October 13, 2001.

Dear Tom, Lots of people are getting there drugs over seas without prescription, at http://www.1drugstore-online.com/ Drugs come from united kingdom. About three weeks for delivery. Irene

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), October 13, 2001.

An Epi kit, or epi pen, is an injectable antihistamine (I believe) that slows down a life threatening allergic reaction long enough to hopefully get to a hospital.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), October 14, 2001.

Tom, you have a doctor who WONT give you antibiotics?? This is amazing!! Most of em hand em out like candy........

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), October 14, 2001.

I'm another one that I don't believe my doctor would give us presecriptions just for the asking. Also, what is the expiration date on these drugs ?? Uncle Sam has said that He has enough of these drugs if need be to give the citizens if the need arise...Do you believe that ??? I have a bridge to sell you too. But really, we all can't be running across the border to wherever getting drugs on demand..not reasonable. Do what we can do and pray for the rest.

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), October 14, 2001.

Folks, we must use the common sense the god/goddess gave us and not panic over the Anthrax scare. Since it is a bacteria, good hygiene will go a long way. Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze and for heaven's sake, stop spitting everywhere. If everyone would "get back to basics" hygienically, we would be healthier and safer from all kinds of disease. Antibiotics only work for as long as a takes the disease to adapt, which in a bacterium's life is fast,fast,fast. So prevention is still the best bet.

-- Elem Miller (scorpiorising@yahoo.net), October 14, 2001.

Antibiotics can be bought over the web. One site was selling Ciptron for something like $350.00! You can visit your farm supply store and get antibiotics there. Please don't use them unless there is no alternative. But it won't hurt to have some on hand. Panic is not good but prepared is.

-- (venus@zeelink.net), October 17, 2001.