Autumn Respiratory Season

What can we do?

We are seeing an uptick in upper respiratory issues lately.

With kids back in school for over a month (doing what kids do-naturally working their immune systems), the weather cooling (just under 6 months til Spring returns), and the leaves falling (oh so pretty to look at but not so much to breath in whatever else is on them), we are seeing more of the following lately:

• Allergic Sinusitis and Bronchitis

• Strep throat

• Early influenza season

• COVID once again- (probably newer strains that are not in any COVID booster)

While there is an overlap in symptoms between the health issues above, they can often be distinguished by their symptoms.

Allergic Sinusitis and Bronchitis usually have runny nose, post nasal drip , nasal or chest congestion and cough, and rarely a fever. When asked you feel more annoyed than sick. We rarely use antibiotics. If needed we usually suggest antihistamines, inhalers if asthmatic and to avoid playing in the leaves. You are not a dog so you do not have to go jump into a pile of leaves.

Strep throat usually as it’s name entails has a bad sore throat and trouble swallowing along with fevers and fatigue. When asked you feel more sick than annoyed. Urgent Care has quick strep tests that will let you know. Strep is treated with antibiotics.

Influenza or the flu is usually high fevers which can go up to 104, fatigue, chills and sweats, some throat symptoms and usually a cough. Influenza is NOT fun. When asked you feel more sick than annoyed. Urgent Care have quick flu tests. Influenza/Flu is treated supportively as it is a virus and antibiotics do NOT help. Stay hydrated, use fever reducers if your fever gets real high (over 102) and rest. Also there are mechanisms by which fasting, other than fluids, can help your immune system clear the virus quicker. Feed a cold and starve a fever is an old wives tale. No disrespect to any old wives.

COVID -if you get it and are symptomatic, COVID is generally cold like symptoms, low grade fevers and fatigue/weakness. When asked you feel more sick than annoyed. I’d suggest buying a few quick COVID tests to have at home in case you want to know. Some people are still getting very sick from COVID, but no more than from a bad flu, as the newer COVID strains presently circulating are milder. We hope that “getting milder” continues.

So if you have any of the above and end up in Urgent Care, don’t be surprised if you get a strep, flu and COVID test. But beware of PCR COVID tests as a recent study suggested a 42% FALSE positive rate, meaning 42% of people are told they have COVID when they don’t.

What to do about all this?

I’d suggest you have as much of the IMW Viral Respiratory protocol on hand PRIOR to getting sick, especially the nasal spray. If you are an IMW member and do not have the protocol, send me a Spruce message requesting it.

To help prevent from getting any of the above illnesses perhaps work on optimizing:

• metabolic health thru proper diet/nutrition

• your sleep and circadian rhythms

• decrease your stress hormones

• Sun exposure and Vitamin D

• Gut health and Immune System

• Hormones

• Exercise and activity levels

Here is a previous post to help.

Most importantly learn to avoid following the false health and medical narratives being bloviated all over by those looking to gain influence over you.

One more suggestion: Use Common Sense Health and Wellness to help you in thinking thru your medical decisions.

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