RESPIRATORY INFECTION
RESPIRATORY INFECTION
COVID-19 / COLD / SINUS CONGESTION / SORE THROAT / COUGH
We are limiting In Person appointments for these symptoms and can mostly manage via Telehealth.
COVID-19 STATISTICS
FATALITY
~3% fatality (mostly elderly and sick, but unpredictable)
10x more deadly than the flu despite extreme restrictions
3rd most common cause of death despite extreme precautions
(was otherwise predicted to be THE most common cause of death
and would have caused more deaths than both World Wars combined)
INFECTIVITY
R0 (Reproduction knot) = 3
for every person infected it will spread to 3 others without precautions
current variant more contagious and more recurrent, but less fatal
PANDEMIC -> ENDEMIC
As of 15 August 2022, California opened up transitioning from a pandemic to an endemic.
California's COVID-19 "state of emergency" will officially end 28 February 2023.
TREATMENT
TREATMENT
MOST RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS (ESPECIALLY THOSE VACCINATED FOR COVID) DO NOT REQUIRE TREATMENT FROM A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
Mild respiratory infections require only "supportive" treatment. If you get sick with cold symptoms (and are generally healthy age 2-65 [without moderate-severe symptoms such as persistent fever (temperature >100.4 Fahrenheit), tachycardia (pulse >100 beats/minute), rapid breathing (>24 breaths/minute), moderate-severe fatigue, moderate-severe pain, dizziness, confusion, or vomiting], it is unlikely you will need professional medical treatment. If you have any of these symptoms, otherwise have any problems, or just want to see a doctor, please contact us for a telehealth appointment or see our after after hours instructions.
REST
Limit school/work/exercise so your body can put it's energy into healing. Do not underestimate the value and healing power of rest.
GERM CONTROL
Shelter in Place, Maintain Your Space, Cover Your Face
NUTRITION
FLUIDS
Stay well hydrated. We may be able to survive 2-3 weeks without nutrition, but we may not be able to survive 2-3 days without fluids, which are paramount in treating illness. When dehydrated, fluids with sodium (salt) can help you retain more water. Pedialyte, Gatorade, and soup are helpful.
NUTRITION
The national guidelines for nutrition still apply. Do not drink any alcohol while sick.
WATER
hydration
best remedy for cough
3-6+ oz per hour
50+ oz daily
FRUITS
energy + healing
vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients
>=20%
VEGETABLES
energy + healing
vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients
>=30%
WARM SALT WATER GARGLES
for sore throat
kills germs and soothes
(note: don't gargle mouthwash, only swish and spit)
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
for sore throat
improves swallowing
Jamba Juice: Orange C Booster
HONEY
for cough
1 spoon if cough
(avoid if age <1 or diabetic)
GINGER
anti-inflammatory
invigorating
healthy substitute for caffeine
good for digestion
ginger tea
GARLIC
broad spectrum anti-infective
fights virus, bacteria, and fungus
OTC RX TO AVOID
- AVOID DECONGESTANTS! -
Decongestants are alpha-1 agonists. They constrict blood vessels to reduce blood flow to the nose. They seem to work in the short-term, but long-term rebound congestion often worse than the original congestion and also causes hypertension (high blood pressure). AVOID NEOSYNEPRHINE, PHENYLEPHRINE, and PSEUDOEPHEDRINE.
- AVOID DEXTROMETHORPHAN -
(unless you have a dry cough): this is a cough suppressant, not an expectorant, and can prevent mucous from coming out
OVER-THE-COUNTER TREATMENT
VICKS: rub, inhaler, shower, steam machine
CAMPHOR (Japanese evergreen tree)
EUCALYPTUS (Australian tree)
MENTHOL (mint)
anti-inflammatory
for wet/dry cough
opens airways
works instantly and overnight
reduces need for pills
VapoRub: rub on chest/back
VapoInhaler: inhale in nostrils
VapoShower: steam in shower
Warm Steam Machine: warm steam
LORATIDINE
anti-histamine
reduces mucous production
great for allergies
non-drowsy
do NOT get with decongestant (see AVOID DECONGESTANTS above in red letters)
SALINE NASAL SPRAY
(salt water)
irrigation of nose and sinuses
great for those that don't like taking oral medicines
few sprays each nostril as needed
GUAIFENESIN
do NOT get with a decongestant (see above)
expectorant
loosens mucous to help it drain out
great for sinus congestion or wet cough
100-400mg every 4 hours as needed
ACETAMINOPHEN
reduces pain +/or fever
500-1000mg every 6 hours as needed
VITAMIN C (ascorbic acid)
boosts immune system
present in high doses in citrus fruits
ZINC
boosts immune system
especially good for wound healing
RX TREATMENT
RX TREATMENT
COVID WITH RISK OF SEVERE DISEASE
(including for those with abnormal lab (heart injury, high CRP, low platelet, high wbc), any chronic condition, stroke, COPD, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, arrhythmia, hypertension, diabetes, age 50+, dementia, BMI 25+, cancer, hyperlipidemia
anti-viral antibiotic (Paxlovid)
monoclonal antibodies (mAb intravenous infusion available at Scripps Urgent Care in Torrey Pines)