Lately, I have received a lot of emails and questions about how to prevent and manage a virus this flu season.
Although, there is no cure for the common cold or the flu, there are ways to help prevent viral infections and treat symptoms at home. Weather it is RSV, Rhino, flu, covid and/or other cold viruses; each have similar symptoms and can be treated at home.
Prevention
We have an immune protocol here at the Bello house. Not only do we take most of these on a daily basis, but in the event we get sick, we up our prevention during an illness.
- Elderberry is used for flu, colds and other ailments by boosting immunity and reducing inflammation. Here is a more in depth explanation and usage.
- Vitamin D3 is known to boost immunity. This is a major reason why the flu season subsides when the weather gets warmer. Not only does the heat kill most viral pathogens but people go outside more and get their Vitamin D. We are all a little Vitamin D deficient to some degree (unless you work outside everyday) and this can pose as a small risk factor for sepsis and inflammatory disorders. Here is more Vitamin D info.
- Zinc is required for normal white blood cell functioning and is known to increase cell production that can boost immunity and reduce inflammation. It also is known to impair the replication of RNA viruses such as influenza and covid-19. Here is more information on how zinc works and acts on the immune system.
- Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant and can help prevent oxidative damage minimizing the cytokine storms impact we mentioned above. Some studies suggest high dose of Vitamin C is beneficial during a virus. Link to more Vitamin C benefits.
- Probiotics help keep your gut and immune system healthy.
- Hydration Drink! Drink! Drink! This will help detox and flush all the bad out of your body. Salt baths are also beneficial to help with this process.
- Balanced diet this is the most important aspect of creating a healthy body.
- Other Rest, Decrease stress, Exercise
Treatment
You have the flu so now what?
In conjunction with the prevention of an illness, here are a few ways to treat the symptoms during a viral illness.
- Echinacea treats symptoms associated with cold and flu. It acts as an antimicrobial to viral pathogens. Here is more information for benefits and usage of Echinacea.
- Vitamin A helps make antibodies, a barrier against pathogens. Here is more information on the benefits of Vitamin A.
- Salt water rinse- If you experience a sore throat start salt water gargling. Here is why… A cold (mucus) will sit in your throat and replicate. Ask yourself why do we usually start with a sore throat and then other symptoms proceed. Salt water is known to kill bacteria and allergens.
- Anti-pyretics- A fever is your body’s defense mechanism against an illness because it burns up the pathogen. Remember we said warm weather kills most viruses. I try to avoid giving my kids anything for fevers unless they are uncomfortable or their temperature goes above what their pediatrician recommends.
- Cough- If you start to experience a cough, be proactive. Here is more information to my post regarding at home remedies for coughs.
- Honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties used to treat throat pain and calm a cough. Do not use for children under the age of 1 due to allergies and choking hazard.
- Over-the-counter cold and cough medicine is not recommended for children ages 4 and under unless under the direction of your child’s physician. There are high risks for serious side effects for littles
- Hydration helps flush out the bad, thins out the mucus and dehydration can raise your body temperature.
- **Do not allow your child to lay flat with drainage and coughing. This can be a choking hazard.
When to seek medical attention
Generally, viruses can be treated at home with rest and liquids but there are times complications can arise.
If your child is lethargic, has a fever for more than a few days, is having trouble taking liquids, contact your pediatrician.
If your child is having shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, becomes unresponsive, vomiting excessively, appears dehydrated (decreased urination, dry lips, sunken eyes, crying without tears for infants) then this warrants a trip to the ER. Either way, a quick call to your child’s pediatrician will help determine which course is appropriate.
Lately, I have received a lot of emails and questions about how to prevent and manage a virus this flu season.
Although, there is no cure for the common cold or the flu, there are ways to help prevent viral infections and treat symptoms at home. Weather it is RSV, Rhino, flu, covid and/or other cold viruses; each have similar symptoms and can be treated at home.
Prevention
We have an immune protocol here at the Bello house. Not only do we take most of these on a daily basis, but in the event we get sick, we up our dosage during an illness.
- Elderberry is used for flu, colds and other ailments by boosting immunity and reducing inflammation. Here is a more in depth explanation and usage.
- Vitamin D3 is known to boost immunity. This is a major reason why the flu season subsides when the weather gets warmer. Not only does the heat kill most viral pathogens but people go outside more and get their Vitamin D. We are all a little Vitamin D deficient to some degree (unless you work outside everyday) and this can pose as a small risk factor for sepsis and inflammatory disorders. Here is more Vitamin D info.
- Zinc is required for normal white blood cell functioning and is known to increase cell production that can boost immunity and reduce inflammation. It also is known to impair the replication of RNA viruses such as influenza and covid-19. Here is more information on how zinc works and acts on the immune system.
- Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant and can help prevent oxidative damage minimizing the cytokine storms impact we mentioned above. Some studies suggest high dose of Vitamin C is beneficial during a virus. Link to more Vitamin C benefits.
- Probiotics help keep your gut and immune system healthy.
- Hydration Drink! Drink! Drink! This will help detox and flush all the bad out of your body. Salt baths are also beneficial to help with this process.
- Balanced diet this is the most important aspect of creating a healthy body.
- Other Rest, Decrease stress, Exercise
Treatment: You have the flu so now what?
In conjunction with the prevention of an illness, here are a few ways to treat the symptoms during a viral illness.
- Echinacea treats symptoms associated with cold and flu. It acts as an antimicrobial to viral pathogens. Here is more information for benefits and usage of Echinacea.
- Vitamin A helps make antibodies, a barrier against pathogens. Here is more information on the benefits of Vitamin A.
- Salt water rinse- If you experience a sore throat start salt water gargling. Here is why… A cold (mucus) will sit in your throat and replicate. Ask yourself why do we usually start with a sore throat and then other symptoms proceed. Salt water is known to kill bacteria and allergens.
- Anti-pyretics- A fever is your body’s defense mechanism against an illness because it burns up the pathogen. Remember we said warm weather kills most viruses. I try to avoid giving my kids anything for fevers unless they are uncomfortable or their temperature goes above what their pediatrician recommends.
- Cough- If you start to experience a cough, be proactive. Here is more information to my post regarding at home remedies for coughs.
- Honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties used to treat throat pain and calm a cough. Do not use for children under the age of 1 due to allergies and choking hazard.
- Over-the-counter cold and cough medicine is not recommended for children ages 4 and under unless under the direction of your child’s physician. There are high risks for serious side effects for littles
- Hydration helps flush out the bad, thins out the mucus and dehydration can raise your body temperature.
- **Do not allow your child to lay flat with drainage and coughing. This can be a choking hazard.
When to seek medical attention
Generally, viruses can be treated at home with rest and liquids but there are times complications can arise.
If your child is lethargic, has a fever for more than a few days, is having trouble taking liquids, contact your pediatrician.
If your child is having shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, becomes unresponsive, vomiting excessively, appears dehydrated (decreased urination, dry lips, sunken eyes, crying without tears for infants) then this warrants a trip to the ER. Either way, a quick call to your child’s pediatrician will help determine which course is appropriate.
