From WebMD
First-aid kit for flu, cold, and covid-19 July 18, 2024
Dr. Poonam Sachdev and Rachel Reiff Ellis
Posted by Garnett Stewart with comments at the end.
1/12 Pain Relievers
To help lower a fever and get some relief for uncomfortable body aches, be sure to have acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen on hand. However, if you have hypertension, kidney disease, or diabetes, you should be careful using NSAIDs. Aspirin also works, but don’t give it to kids. Aspirin is linked to a rare but life-threatening condition called Reye’s syndrome in children.
212 Other Meds
Decongestant nose sprays or drops with phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine as the active ingredient take down swelling in your nose and help you breathe better. Decongestant balms you rub on your chest can also help open airways. Cough medicines or drops with dextromethorphan help with a dry cough, while those with guaifenesin can soothe a wet cough. These medicines are often sold in USA pharmacies.
3/12 Hand Sanitizer
For the best germ-killing power, wash your hands with soap and water whenever you can. But it’s a good idea to have a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol around, too. Keep it by the bed when you’re sick, and use it after you cover a cough or blow your nose. Caregivers can grab a squirt, too, after checking a temperature or feeling a forehead.
Coughs and runny noses can be features of colds, flu, and covid-19. Keep tissues on hand so you can contain those germs that you’re hacking and sneezing. Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes. Throw tissues away promptly, and then wash or disinfect your hands.
5/12 Thermometer
Even if you’re not feeling feverish, it’s a good idea to track your temperature during an illness so you have a good read on your body. You also need a thermometer in case your temperature spikes and you need to report it to a doctor.
See video about strep throat on the WebMD site.
6/12 Mask
It’s best to keep your distance from other people when you have a virus, but if you share a household or need to go to the doctor’s office, a mask that covers your nose and mouth is a must for keeping your germs to yourself.
7/12 Disinfectant Spray
The common cold, the flu, and covid-19 are all airborne illnesses. That means they travel through droplets from your nose and mouth. When you’re sick, wipe down areas you touch so you lower the chances of passing the virus on to others.
8/12 Lots to Drink
Your body loses a lot of fluids when you’re sick because of fever sweats, a runny nose, and coughing. Water is good, but be sure to stock up on other kinds of drinks, too. Broth, warm tea, or drinks with electrolytes can all be good for hydration.
9/12 Humidifier
A cool-mist humidifier blows tiny droplets of water into the air to help keep your airways moist and ease stuffiness and dry coughing. Viruses are less likely to survive in humid air than in dry air, so it may help lessen the spread of your sickness, too.
10/12 Zinc Lozenges
While zinc lozenges won’t treat symptoms, studies show that if you start popping them at the first sign of cold or flu symptoms, they can cut the length of your illness by up to 40%.
11/12 Pulse Oximeter
A pulse oximeter is a small device that clips to your finger and reads how much oxygen is getting to your red blood cells. You don’t need one for a cold or the flu. But if you’re covid-19-positive and having symptoms, it helps you keep tabs on how you’re doing. Normal oxygen levels are between 95% and 97%. Readings lower than that mean it’s time to call a doctor.
12/12 When to Go to Urgent Care, see a doctor
It’s important to know when your home remedies aren’t enough anymore. See a doctor right away if you or a loved one have trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, trouble waking up, seizures, severe muscle pain, fever over 103 F, or aren’t peeing.
Comments and more by Garnett
The covid-19 mutation in France is coming, and it is fierce.
Adult aspirin dose is 650 mg every 4-6 hours, and if you have baby aspirin, to get this dose, you will need 8 baby pills. I like the aspirin advance with caffeine. One tablet is 650 mg.
About usual cold remedies in the states: Here we can use homeopathic remedies not allowed in the states. Many options exist, and they are more effective in my experience. Ask the local pharmacist. Roberto Benavidez at Eloy Alfaro is bilingual.
Washing: Wash your hands vigorously for a minute (three happy birthday songs). The friction alone removes ½ of surface bacteria so dry handwashing is better than nothing. If ill, wash your face and hands every few hours. This will reduce pink eye from self-cross contamination. Thermometer = 37 degrees Celsius = 98.6 Fahrenheit. A fever for young persons is 38.5 or more. For seniors and at-risk population = 37.8. ER visit for seniors not responding to home care = 41. This video discusses strep throat. Note the majority of sore throats are viral and never respond to antibiotics. If you look and see a white throat covered in mucus, it is still likely viral. But, if fever is high, seek care for a rapid strep test because failure to be treated may compromise heart valves. Again, almost all sore throats are viral. Get a homebound doctor visit for the protection of others.
Masks: N95 masks are best. Get these before Flu season. Mask when is crowds and flights soon.
Garnett’s recipe: As posted before: 5-10 drops eucalyptus, 5-10 drops citrus and 5 drops mint essential oils in a liter of hot water. Drink quickly. I get oils from Botica Olmedo, but there are many other essential oils. Get ingestible oils.
Humidifier: You have time to order one. I saw them at Fybeca. The humidifier should bathe you in a fine mist. Place close to your head.
In addition to zinc, add the Chinese herb LHD. These are very potent anti-viral herbal remedies from Eloy Alfaro off Ordonez Lasso.
Pulse Oximeter: Know your normal when well. At elevation, many adults are well at 90-95%. AAA batteries are required in most models. Check your batteries, please.
Medical care: As mentioned before, in Ecuador, we should get a house call for the protection of others.
Be safe. Be well. Get prepared. Protect one another, please.
Garnett Clarke Stewart: +593 96 080 0061 ecuadoradvice@gmail.com
City: Cuenca
