Welcome  to  Public  Health  moment from  the  University  of  Minnesota. Good  news  for  those  who  suffer  from Chronic  Obstructive  Pulmonary  Disease,  or  COP  D, A  clinical  trial  involving  more  than  1,100  people, found  that  a  common  antibiotic called  Azythromycin  can  reduce the  occurrence  and  severity  of COPD  exasperations  or  flare  ups. Professor  John  Cone,  a University  of  Minnesota  biostatistician,  led  the  study. The  Azythromycin  group  had  fewer  exacerbations, They  had  them  later  in  the  year. On  average,  they  generally  benefited  from  this  treatment. It  was  a  positive  study  and  it  does have  implications  for  treatment  for COPD  because  there  are not  a  lot  of  good  treatments  available  right  now. There's  other  treatments  will  treat  symptoms, make  the  person  feel  better, breathe  a  little  bit  better. This  one  actually  prevents  some  illnesses. It  study  did  identify some  side  effects  to  the  use  of  Azythromycin. There  were  a  few  people  who  had some  deterioration  in  their  hearing  levels. And  so  there  was  maybe 2%  or  so  that  had  some  loss  of  hearing. There  will  be  hearing  loss  anyway. There  was  hearing  loss  in  both  groups, But  there  was  a  little  bit  more  in  the  Zythromycinroup. If  a  person  has  impaired  hearing, they  should  be  sure  to  mention  that  to  their  Dr.  and  have their  hearing  tested  before they  actually  start  Azythromycin.