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This CNNfyi.com lesson plan is supplemented with material from Using antibiotics effectivelyLesson Plans by monthLesson Plans by subject Editor's note: CNNfyi.com updates its page at 1 a.m. EST. Users can find stories from the previous five days under MORE STORIES/LESSON PLANS and under the Subject Areas archives. Have students read the CNNfyi.com article, "An imperfect prescription," and ask the following: 1. What are antibiotics? When do doctors prescribe the use of antibiotics? What has the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine just informed the public in their report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine? 2. What are bacteria? What are viruses? Are antibiotics effective against bacteria or viruses? What are some examples of viral infections given in the article? Why is it difficult to diagnose if a person is sick from a bacterial infection or a viral infection? 3. How can bacteria become resistant to antibiotics? What are some possible long-term effects if this happens? What is likely to occur if people take antibiotics for all of their ailments? According to the article, when should a person go to the doctor? 4. Have students work with a partner to brainstorm a list of all types of ailments. Direct the students to evaluate each ailment on their list and determine if it is appropriate for the person to go to the doctor or not. Invite students to share with the class ailments for which people should go to the doctor and which they should not. Inform students that they can use Virus Encounters as a resource for additional information. Direct each pair to create an informative poster about antibiotics and when it is appropriate for people to go to the doctor. Extension: Students can identify the flu and the common cold, how are they different, how can they be treated and why haven't scientists found a cure for them following HighWired.com's The Flu v. the Common Cold lesson plan. RELATED SITES: CDC Antimicrobial Resistance |
