1. New drug: The government recently recommended that physicians switch to a different drug to treat gonorrhea among gay and bisexual men. Federal health officials feel that Cipro and related antibiotics should no longer be used because of the rise of drug-resistant gonorrhea among homosexuals. However, these drugs are still recommended for heterosexuals with the disease because resistant strains are rare in that group.
2. The ripe kind of fruit: There are reasons people pick fruits at their peak of ripeness, including taste and nutrition. However, in checking fruits for ripeness, people often leave behind bins of bruised produce at the store or outdoor market. However, there's now a label that changes color to indicate ripeness. Freshness-indicator labels are currently being used with Anjou pears in Oregon—with the potential of the tags being utilized across the country. (For more info, go to www.ripesense.com .)
3. Ice a fever: Anything up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit is considered mild and can be treated by drinking fluids. To bring down a temperature higher than that, put an ice pack under your arm or near your groin. Putting ice on either spot will cool your body's core. Then, hurry yourself over to the doctor's office.
4. Oh, honey: You probably never thought of this, but you can disinfect a wound with honey. Believe it or not, honey has antibacterial properties. A recent study found that honey was able to destroy most strains of the most common wound-infecting bacteria.
Sources: Men's Health; Associated Press; Popular Science.
I'm at westelm406@yahoo.com .