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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)

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.

VACCINATE AT LOCAL PHARMACY

vaccine provides overall 8x lower fatality rate (differs amongst variants)

vaccine overall gr8 protection

thanks to all those who are vaccinated, our pandemic phase is over

There is a newer BIVALENT booster that is recommended and targets two prominent Omicron variants.

Despite the pandemic officially ending, testing is free until Nov 2023.

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

NUTRITIONAL REMEDIES

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: inhale steam

DIPHENHYDRAMINE

anti-histamine

reduces mucous production

great for allergies

25mg at bedtime as needed

(drowsiness good for sleep)

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

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)

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