Whether or not an infection is from bacteria or a virus makes a big difference in how it's treated. Many bacterial infections benefit greatly from a dose of antibiotics to kill the infection.

You might figure that if it's not a bacterial infection then there's nothing you can do for it. By that thinking, you'll need to know if your infection is bacterial or viral in order to decide whether you should go to the doctor or not. I mean, if it's viral, there's no need to waste money on that copay, right?

The truth is that many viral infections could benefit from drugs, not antibiotics, but other antiviral medications. Since you won't know if it's viral or bacterial unless you go see the doc and since you can't get the drugs without a prescription anyway, you might want to go after all.

The question isn't whether your infection is viral or bacterial, it's whether or not you should go to the doctor.

I was asked the other day if I'm still "driving the ambulance." The question was meant as "are you still a paramedic" but the person asking didn't realize the choice of phrase could be taken as an insult by some of my colleagues.

Despite the fact that we paramedics and EMT's are licensed healthcare providers, some people still refer to us as ambulance drivers, an outdated term that really limits the understanding of what we do.

Ambulances have been around longer than paramedics, and that's partly to blame for the faux pas. We were driving the ambulance long before we were doing anything useful in the back of it. I can't complain too much, however, because to drive an ambulance in California -- regardless whether you're an EMT or a paramedic -- you have to carry an ambulance driver's certificate.

That makes me a certified ambulance driver, like it or not.

So, when asked if I'm still "driving the ambulance" I could only offer the truth:

Yep. I'm even certified.

Really?

A Wal-Mart shopper looking for deals whips out a can of pepper spray and unleashes on her competition; that sounds like a Saturday Night Live skit or an Adam Sandler movie. Too bad it happened.

In San Fernando Valley in California, more than 10 people were sprayed by what some folks are calling a "competitive shopper." Remind me to wear a gas mask and football pads next time I go to a holiday sale.

For all the folks celebrating Thanksgiving today, may you have a wonderful and safe day with family and friends.

I'm thankful for all of you who come to read and comment on the tips and information here at About.com First Aid. I'm also thankful that all my kids are back at the holiday table (with one extra). It's a good day.

Now, off to my wife's famous homemade cranberry sauce!

• Stay Out of the ER on Thanksgiving
• Kids in the Kitchen