That decision may now be easier thanks to a new pneumonia test. NewsChannel5 Health Specialist Lee Jordan reports it's a urine test. It was just approved by the Food and Drug Administration . The test detects a bacterium called streptococcus pneumonia , which causes an estimated half a million cases of pneumonia every year. This test will help doctors decide more quickly if antibiotics are necessary.
Antibiotics kill only bacteria they have no effect on viruses, which also cause pneumonia.
Knowing the difference will prevent overuse of antibiotics which leads to the evolution of so-called supergerms that are resistant to drugs. Copyright 1999 by NewsNet5. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Information about this site , our terms of use , our privacy policy , our ad policy and the people who care for and feed it.