VOA标准英语2013--Doctors say Treating Lung Infections in Elderly Patients is Problematic
时间：2019-01-14 作者：英语课 分类：VOA标准英语2013年(六月)
Doctors say Treating Lung Infections in Elderly Patients is Problematic
South Africans and admirers around the world expressed their feelings for Nelson Mandela, also known by his clan 1 name of Madiba, the man identified with transforming South Africa from white minority rule to a multiracial democracy.
"It's very emotional, and I feel for my children. This is very important for them to feel what an amazing man Madiba was and is to all of us," said a woman in Johannesburg,
But some South Africans also believe "It's time to let him go."
Mandela suffered from lung infections during his 27 years in prison under apartheid. The infections he has had over the past few years are commonly called "pneumonia 3," whether they're caused by a virus or a bacteria.
What makes his condition more serious is that repeated infections can weaken an elderly patient's lungs.
"Those bacteria are often much more aggressive. Often they are more resistant 4 to antibiotics 5 because, over the years, elderly people will have had more exposure to antibiotics and will have selected out resistant and stronger strains," explained Dr. Bohdan Pichurko, who is with the Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Pichurko said treatments for the young are not always good for the elderly.
"Illness such as pneumonia puts stress on other organ systems. And so we worry about worsening diabetes 6, kidney function, liver function. Many of those can deteriorate 7 when we are doing our best to treat a respiratory infection," he said.
Although some people have said Mandela should be allowed to die, Dr. Pichurko said the decision to end treatment is never easy.
"The best decision is made in partnership 8 between patient and doctor. The doctor is ethically 9 obligated at some point, if that point is reached, to indicate when medical treatment may be futile," he explained.
Dr. Pichurko added that age is a factor, but only a minor 2 one. Some people are healthy at 95. Others are not. For the elderly, it's important to try and prevent exposure to viruses or certain bacteria. And if an infection does occur, to get good medical care within 48 hours.
- She ranks as my junior in the clan.她的辈分比我小。
- The Chinese Christians,therefore,practically excommunicate themselves from their own clan.所以，中国的基督徒简直是被逐出了自己的家族了。
- The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
- I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。
- Cage was struck with pneumonia in her youth.凯奇年轻时得过肺炎。
- Pneumonia carried him off last week.肺炎上星期夺去了他的生命。
- Many pests are resistant to the insecticide.许多害虫对这种杀虫剂有抵抗力。
- They imposed their government by force on the resistant population.他们以武力把自己的统治强加在持反抗态度的人民头上。
- the discovery of antibiotics in the 20th century 20世纪抗生素的发现
- The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics. 医生给我开了抗生素。
- In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
- Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。
- Do you think relations between China and Japan will continue to deteriorate?你认为中日关系会继续恶化吗？
- He held that this would only cause the situation to deteriorate further.他认为，这只会使局势更加恶化。
- The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
- Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。