Reply #15: Another contributing factor to the emergence of resistant strains [View All]

[earthboundmisfit]

is when patients do not take the full round of their prescribed antibiotic. Happens all the time - when the patient begins to feel better, they quit taking the antibiotic, creating a golden opportunity for evolution of any remaining bacteria.

And re tuberculosis - and I swear I'm not a xenophobe - one of the big problems with immigrants entering this country illegally is DISEASE. Another area of concern should be imported produce, much of which is allowed across the border with minimal or non-existent checks. We do screen livestock between countries for disease, but who knows how effectively, and if we screen for enough diseases.

One more thing, has anyone here had any experience with the dirt and dust-borne fungal respiratory infection Coccidioidomycosis, commonly called Valley Fever? It's incidence seems to be spreading, and I'm wondering if the infectious spores may be carried on imported produce... Scary stuff, and incurable.