HealthHere’s Why Bacteria Like E-CigsAlice ParkFor more, visit TIME Health.There’s quite a bit that we still don’t know about e-cigarettes when it comes to how safe they are -- if they cause lung cancer like traditional cigarettes do, whether they are as addictive as cigarettes, and more.That’s reflected by the fact that fewer smokers believe that e-cigs are safer for their health than traditional cigarettes; in 2010, 85% did, but that percentage dropped to 65% in 2013, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.But for bacteria, e-cigs may not be so bad.Dr. Laura Crotty Alexander, from the University of California at San Diego and the VA San Diego Healthcare System, found that the vapor from e-cigs prompts bacteria to become more resistant to antibiotics.In the presence of e-cig vapor, for example, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) became more resistant to the natural anti-microbial agents that the body makes.Cigarette smoke also produces the same effect, but Crotty Alexander was surprised that the e-cig vapors did as well, given that they were not supposed to contain the health-harming carcinogens that tobacco smoke does.MORE: The FDA Plans to Ban E-Cigarette Sales to Minors“I was hoping that maybe e-cigarettes would be safer and that they would not stress the bacteria as much as cigarette smoke,” she says of her findings, which she presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference.

“But we found that the e-cig vapor also made bugs become more resistant to killing by antimicrobial peptides.”Other studies show that these peptides, known as the body’s natural antibiotics, are structurally similar to antibiotic drugs, so while Crotty Alexander did not test bacteria exposed to e-cig vapor against antibiotics, she expects they would be resistant to the medications as well.MORE: Study: E-Cigarettes Do Not Help People Quit SmokingHow did the bugs fight back?When stressed by the e-cig vapors to defend themselves, the bacteria produced copious amounts of biofilm, a sticky, slimy polymer that acts as their armor against things like antibiotics.But the vapors may be doing much more than disturbing the bacteria.Earlier studies showed that traditional cigarette smoke, with its tar and tobacco-burning byproducts, can also weaken the ability of the body’s immune cells to defend against the insult, making it harder to fight off infections.Crotty Alexander is starting to analyze human cells to see if e-cig vapors have the same effect.

She’s narrowing down which components of e-cigs contribute to the antibiotic resistance – some e-juices are made with propylene glycol, while others contain a vegetable-based glycol, and not all contain nicotine.MORE: E-Cigs Still Produce Carcinogens, Study ShowsSo far, it looks like the nicotine may be driving the MRSA biofilms, but Crotty Alexander is doing more research to determine how e-cigs are affecting human immune cells.xenosaga vaporizer plug-inAs the survey of smokers shows, however, they may already know the answer.quickdraw x1 vaporizer reviewAuthor information1Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.AbstractThe administration of a nebulized antibiotic in serious respiratory tract infections ensures high antibiotic concentrations at the site of infection, minimising systemic concentrations and their resultant risk of toxicity.xrt vaporizer review

Nebulized antibiotics have been used for the treatment of chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, particularly in cystic fibrosis, but with variable clinical efficacy.Antibiotic delivery by nebulization is greatly influenced by the product formulation and the nebulizer.Use of intravenous formulations via a nebulizer can lead to exposure to potentially irritant or toxic additives and inappropriate pH or osmolality ranges, whilst the choice of nebulizer can greatly influence the drug deposition in the airway.vaporizer apteekkiTobramycin Nebulizer Solution (TNS) is the first specific formulation for nebulization in cystic fibrosis using a designated nebulizer.vaporizer atemtechnikThe potential extrapolation of nebulized antibiotic therapy to other serious respiratory infections, in particular bronchiectasis and ventilator-associated pneumonia, is explored in this review.PMID: 11589477 DOI: 10.1179/joc.2001.13.4.354 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Publication typeReviewMeSH termsAdministration, InhalationAdolescentAnti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage*Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic useClinical Trials as TopicCystic Fibrosis/drug therapyCystic Fibrosis/microbiologyHumansNebulizers and VaporizersPseudomonas Infections/drug therapyPseudomonas Infections/microbiologyRespiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy*Respiratory Tract Infections/etiologySensitivity and SpecificityTreatment OutcomeSubstanceAnti-Bacterial AgentsFull Text SourcesTaylor & FrancisMedicalAntibiotics - MedlinePlus Health Informationapex vaporizer vs volcano

Display Mode: Default Style High Contrast Main content Overview of Pneumonia Pneumonia is an infection of the lung that causes fluid to collect in the air sacs (alveoli).Approximately 80% of pneumonia cases are caused by viruses and 20% by bacteria.Viral pneumonia is usually milder than bacterial pneumonia.Bacterial pneumonia tends to have a more abrupt onset, higher fevers (often over 104° F [40° C]) and a larger infiltrate (greater lung involvement) visible on the chest X-ray.Only bacterial pneumonia is helped by antibiotics.Because it's difficult to distinguish bacterial from viral pneumonia, antibiotics are prescribed for some children with viral pneumonia.Because pneumonia is usually a complication of a cold, it's not considered contagious.Definition of Pneumonia Labored breathing (respiratory distress)Rapid breathingOccasionally painful breathingCoughingFever, sometimes with chillsAbnormal patch (“infiltrate”) on chest x-ray filmThis diagnosis must be confirmed by a physicianNote: Most rattly breathing is not pneumonia.

Pneumonia's Expected Course Before antibiotics were available, bacterial pneumonia was dangerous.With antibiotics, it improves within 24 to 48 hours.On the other hand, viral pneumonia can continue for 2 to 4 weeks.Most children with pneumonia can be cared for at home.Admission to the hospital for oxygen or intravenous fluids is required in less than 10% of cases.Most children admitted to the hospital are young infants or children who have extensive involvement of the lungs.Recovery from viral pneumonia is gradual but complete.Recurrences of pneumonia are rare.Pneumonia Home Treatment Antibiotics.Children with bacterial pneumonia need an antibiotic.Medicines for Fever.Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for moderate fever (over 102° F [38.9° C]).These medicines can also help chest pains.Warm Fluids for Coughing Spasms.Coughing spasms are often caused by sticky secretions in the back of the throat.Warm liquids usually relax the airway and loosen the secretions.Offer your child warm lemonade, warm apple juice, or herbal tea.

In addition, breathing warm moist air helps to loosen the sticky mucus that may be choking your child.You can provide warm mist by placing a warm, wet washcloth loosely over your child's nose and mouth; or you can fill a humidifier with warm water and have your child breathe in the warm mist it produces.Avoid steam vaporizers because they can cause burns.Don't give cough suppressant medicines (such as those containing dextromethorphan) to children with pneumonia.The infectious secretions need to be coughed up.Humidity.Dry air tends to make coughs worse.Use humidifiers in your child's bedroom.The new ultrasonic humidifiers not only have the advantage of quietness, but also kill molds and most bacteria that might be in the water.No Smoking.Tobacco smoke aggravates coughing and makes coughs last longer.Don't let anyone smoke around your child.In fact, try not to let anybody smoke inside your home.Remind teenager with pneumonia, if he smokes, that the cough will last weeks longer than it normally would without smoking.