When the SHTF a simple fever and infection could become life or death without treatment. We’ve outlined 4 meds you need to stockpile now and know how and where to scavenge post SHTF. This article covers bacterial based illnesses. When the grid has been down for an extended period of time, you may not be able to find a doctor, so you’ll need to know how/when each antibiotic should be taken.
Stockpiling is a great idea but take note of the below listed shelf lives, they don’t last for ever. That’s why we suggest you learn how to barter and scavenge, we’ve wrote an entire PREPPING GUIDE on this topic.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, GET A COPY OF THE “WORST CASE SCENARIO: FIRST-AID” GUIDE, HERE.
ANTIBIOTICS
✔SELF DIAGNOSIS
Antibiotics are for bacterial illnesses and not viral. Use these for symptom analysis tips to determine your illness. Do not use antibiotics if viral is suspected.
📃Location: A viral illness typically causes wide-spread symptoms. A bacteria usually causes site-specific symptoms, such as those involving the sinuses, throat, or chest.
📃Phlegm color: A virus may produce clear or cloudy mucous, if any. A bacterial illness typically causes colored phlegm (green, yellow, bloody or brown-tinged).
📃Duration of illness: Most viral illnesses last 2 to 10 days. A bacterial illness commonly will last longer than 10 days.
📃Fever. A viral infection may or may not cause a fever. A bacterial illness notoriously causes a fever (normal body temperature is 98.6°f)
✔TREATMENT:
There are four main types of antibiotics, take the type that best matches your symptoms.
If medication not expired, Take Recommended Dose for 10 to 14 days.
If expired, Take 125% of Recommended Dose for 14 days.
✔CONTAGION:
After 24hrs of antibiotics and after fever has broken, you would typically be considered NOT contagious.
✔ANTIBIOTICS:
Amoxicillin💊
Type: penicillin antibiotic. Shelf life: 5 years after expiration. Treats: tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, gonorrhea, and infections of the ear, nose or throat.
Clarithromycin💊
Type: macrolide antibiotic. Shelf life: 5 years after expiration. TreatS: skin and respiratory system.
Ciprofloxacin💊
Type: fluoroquinolones group. Shelf life: 10 years after expiration. Treats: anthrax, urinary tract and prostate infections, diverticulitis and many forms of pneumonia and bronchitis.
Metronidazole💊
Type: nitroimidazoles. Shelf life: 3 years after expiration. Treats: parasitic and bacterial infections including Giardia infections of the small intestine, colon infections, liver abscess, vaginal infections (not yeast), fungating wounds, intra-abdominal infections, lung abscess and gingivitis.
✔STORAGE:
Keep in a cool and dry place. Store in airtight containers or sealed foil packets. Be sure to keep a supply in your Bugout Bag or Bugout Vehicle. Keeping them in a nearby Survival Cache may also be considered if temperature conditions are appropriate.
✔ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:
So in a SHTF scenario where prescription meds are not available; consider Fish Antibiotics as an alternative option. These are usually available as powder or pellets but can also be found in pill form. The quality may not be the same but if the pill has an imprint code it has a good chance of being safe for human consumption and medical use. The primary issue will be with the effectiveness or likely hood of contamination due to poor storage conditions. Since we are discussing SHTF situations it’s important to note Fish Antibiotics but use caution and use only as a last ditch medication. Here are the common Fish Antibitocs along with the human equivalent type and dosage.
Fish Pen Forte = Penicillin 500mg
Fish Zole = Metronidazole 500mg
Fish Cin =Clindamycin 150mg
Fish Cillin = Ampicillin 250mg
Fish Mox = Amoxicillin 500mg
Fish Flex Forte = Cephalexin 500mg
Fin Flox = Ciprofloxacin 500mg
✔OFFGRID & WILDERNESS CONTINGENCY MEDS
Consider telemedicine options that allow for you to speak with a doctor about preparations for adventure offgrid or your personal risk for a worst case scenario. A doctor can prescribe medications in some instance for people that do not currently have a need for a specific prescription. It is justified by your lifestyle, expected travel, local risks, and current events. Let’s say you are planning a hike deep into the forest where EMS or first responders are unable to access; you could be prescribed medication to aid in self survival in the event you are injured, have an infection, or are sick. Contingency Medical is an example of a service focusing in SHTF readiness as it relates to emergency meds.
You can order a Contingency Medical Emergency Antibiotic kit HERE.
✔DISCLAIMER:
These tips are for SHTF use only. Always use as directed and prescribed. A doctor’s advice should take priority. For informational use only.
This article was originally written by the Grayman Briefing. Stay in the know, sign up for Intel and Situational Awareness alerts pushed to your phone on emerging threats and preparedness warnings. Click HERE to subscribe to the Grayman Briefing.