Archive: Arts & Entertainment

SMART TALK SMART TALK
By Amelia Raitt Payne

ANTIBACTERIAL:  As staff physician at the Center for English as a First Language, I don't get to say much about the fine points of writing and speaking well, such as the difference between that and which, but I know my science. Which means I need to inveigh against antibacterial soap, antibacterial wipes, and the term antibacterial itself.

Some of the linguistic therapists here might say antibacterial soap is a redundancy, and ask, "Isn't all soap antibacterial?" Well, yes and no. Soaps and detergents float away dirt, grime, and bacteria, but not 100%. Not even antibacterial cleaners. In fact, so-called antibacterial products actually kill the weaker bacteria, leaving behind the strongest to reproduce and develop cultures of superbacteria. I'm sure you've heard the horror stories about flesh eating bacteria and drug resistant diseases. This is one way they start.

Of course, overuse of antibiotics, especially for colds, helps create stronger bacteria, and germophobia in general has degraded the nation's health. Nowadays, many well-meaning parents raise children who miss early exposure to many of the germs that enable them to build resistance and immunity.

By the way, colds are caused by viruses, so in this case, all antibiotics will do for you is wreck your gut's microbiome. As we say, an antibiotic will cure your cold in seven days. Without it, you'll be better in a week.

To make people with rugged immune systems and fewer allergies, Caesarian sections and bottle feeding should be avoided if possible, and anything with antibacterial on the label should stay in the store.

However, if you really must take an antibiotic, take the whole course! Don't stop as soon as you feel better. That has the same effect as using antibacterial soap, and the next time you need such medication, a strong enough antibiotic might be very hard to find. And expensive, in more ways than one.
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