Justification
I teach health, which is an extremely practical subject. Standards include sex education, emotional health, communication, dealing with stress, dealing with peer pressure, drugs and many other topics, many of high interest to adolescents. I talk to my students about the differences between viral and bacterial infections when we study sexually transmitted and other communicable diseases. I have been concerned for years that they do not understand that diseases caused by viruses and bacteria are different and are treated differently by medicines. One of my concerns is that prescription drugs of all kinds are misused, not only recreationally, but also through a basic lack of understanding of how and why to take them as prescribed. Having worked for many years in both research and clinical laboratories, I correct friends and relatives when they say there is no difference between bacteria and viruses or offer prescription antibiotics they didn't use as directed to friends for their undiagnosed sore throat. As drug resistant bacteria become more of a problem, I would like to combat this, starting with a unit in my health class.
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