Klarinet Archive - Posting 000323.txt from 1997/03

From: "Diane Karius, Ph.D." <dikarius@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: !!!!HELP!!!!
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 1997 16:51:21 -0500

RE:
> Hi, I was wondering if playing the clarinet can worsen or prevent the
> healing of tonsilitis or something similar? Thanks for your help.
> --<-{= Kathi A =}->--
>
First off, see your doctor (if you haven't already) if you
believe that the infection has reoccurred or hasn't gone away in a
reasonable time after completing antibiotics.
In terms of reinfection: Just to be sure, I checked this out with the
resident microbiologist - as long as the mouthpiece gets standard
care (stored dry at room temperature (bacteria are not fond of cool
and dry - and for bacteria room temperature is cool), the odds of
reinfecting yourself via the mouthpiece/reed are very low.
If the mouthpiece isn't adequately cleaned AND dried in between
practices, you increase the chance that reinfection will occur (still
low if you are an adult).
A soap and water treatment for the mouthpiece (or dilute hydrogen
peroxide - reeds tolerate this too and it is occasionally (often?) suggested
as a way to rejuvenate an older reed) will do if you have any doubts.
We couldn't decide on how the physical act of playing clarinet
could have any effect in terms of preventing healing. I could see that the
high airflows (positive pressure forcing air out) might dry the mouth/throat
out and slow healing - however we could not decide just how much that
would prevent healing. A few sips of water should suffice to prevent
that problem. The possibility exists that you have another infection
that is actually the cause of the problem (sinuses come to mind) - if
that one isn't getting cleared up with the antibiotics, the first could
reinfect the latter.
Sorry this isn't more helpful - assuming that standard mouthpiece/reed
care is being provided, my suspicion is that the more usual things are at
play here - finish taking all antibiotics, eat right, get plenty of rest
(far more important than often given credit for - most antibiotics
do NOT kill bacteria, your immune system has to finish the job -
and sleep state, stress etc... have major influences on the immune
system). If it persists after completing the full round of antibiotics,
talk to the doctor about trying a different antibiotic - different bugs
respond differently to different antibiotics.
Diane R. Karius, Ph.D.
Department of Physiology
University of Health Sciences
2105 Independence Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64124
email: dikarius@-----.EDU