When to Stay Home SICK 🤕
You wake up in the morning and you're not feeling so great. Maybe sneezing is your main problem. Or, you've got a doozy of a headache. Whatever is bothering you, you've got a decision to make: Should you stay home or head to your regularly planned activities?
This week I’ll help you take stock of your symptoms and see if they meet the commonsense standard for when to stay home sick or go on with your day 🤩
Before we get started, I hope you had a GREAT Thanksgiving and found last week’s newsletter helpful with “My favorite Thanksgiving recipes”. If you missed it, you can use this link, Here.
🤧 Okay, let’s take a look at my cold and flu guide ✅
🥶 🤒 🤢 😱
With winter and the holidays around the corner, many people get sick during this time of year. Questions come up like:
Should I go to work? Should I keep my family home instead of going to the grandparents for Christmas dinner? The list goes on and on….
Below are some symptoms and general rule of thumb suggestions that I follow (But, please make sure to read further on in this newsletter about higher risk groups and their personal responsibility of protecting their health compared with young, healthy individuals):
Sniffling:
If you've the sniffles, but you're not achy or running a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and feel fine otherwise; you probably have allergies. It's OK to go to go about your normal daily activities.
Coughing:
If you've got a tickle in the back of your throat or it feels like mucus is dripping into that area from your nose, your cough is probably from allergies or a cold. But unless you've got other symptoms like aches or fever, get dressed and go about your business!
If you've been sick for a few days and you are now coughing up darker yellow mucus, it's still probably just a cold. But if it goes on this way for more than a week, it's a good idea to see your doctor.
But, if your cough feels deep and makes you short of breath, it's probably more than a common cold. It could be a sign of something more serious, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, so stay at home and call your doctor right away.
Earache:
If your ear really hurts and you can't hear well, you could have an ear infection. Getting stuffed up from a cold can also cause pain. Either way, you need to call your doctor to find out what the cause is.
Ear infections aren't contagious. But if you have cold symptoms along with an earache, you might spread it to someone else during the first 2 to 3 days.
Sinus Pain:
If you have pain around your eyes, top of the forehead, cheekbones, and even the top of your teeth, it may be a sign you've got a sinus infection. Go ahead and stay home.
The next day, you'll probably be able to go about your business, since it usually isn't contagious. If you're very sick or your symptoms get worse after a week, call your doctor.
Headaches:
If you wake up with a headache, it may be a cold or flu, especially if you have other symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy nose, and body aches. You may need to stay home a day or two while you're most contagious and feel the worst.
If you have a headache and can't handle noise or light, you may have a migraine. If this is something that happens to you again and again, see a doctor so that you can find out the root cause(s).
Pinkeye:
If your eye is red with creamy white or yellow stuff in the corners -- and your eyelashes get matted -- you probably have pinkeye. It can spread easily to others, so don't go out in public. Call your doctor to see if you need to get it treated, and make sure you wash your hands often so you don't infect anyone else.
Chills and Sweats:
If your clothes are getting drenched, you most likely have a fever. Make sure you drink plenty of liquids. Consider seeing your doctor, especially if your temperature is over 102 degrees F. That could be a sign that you have an infection, such as the flu.
If you have a fever plus white patches on your tonsils, you may have strep throat and it's highly contagious! Call your doctor for a test that can confirm the diagnosis.
Stay home until at least 24 hours after fever* (temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) is gone. Temperature should be measured without the use of fever-reducing medicines (medicines that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
Note: Not everyone with flu will have a fever. Individuals with suspected or confirmed flu, who do not have a fever, should stay home from work at least 4-5 days after the onset of symptoms. Persons with the flu are most contagious during the first 3 days of their illness.
Flu and Adults 65+ years:
People 65 years and older are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications compared with young, healthy adults. This increased risk is due in part to changes in immune defenses with increasing age. While flu seasons vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease. In recent years, for example, between 70 and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older, and between 50 and 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred among people in this age group.
Flu and people with Asthma:
People with asthma are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, even if their asthma is mild or their symptoms are well-controlled. People with asthma can develop swollen and sensitive airways, and flu can cause further inflammation of the airways and lungs. Flu infections can trigger asthma attacks and cause worsening of asthma symptoms. Flu also can lead to pneumonia and other acute respiratory diseases. In fact, adults and children with asthma are more likely to develop pneumonia after getting sick with flu than people who do not have asthma. Asthma is the most common medical condition among children hospitalized with flu and one of the more common medical conditions among adults hospitalized with flu.
Flu & People with Heart Disease or History of Stroke:
Among adults hospitalized with flu during recent flu seasons, heart disease was one of the most common chronic (long-term) conditions - about half of adults hospitalized with flu have heart disease. Studies have shown that flu illness is associated with an increase in heart attacks and stroke. A recent study found that the risk of having a heart attack was 6 times higher within a week of a confirmed flu infection. These findings were most pronounced for older adults and those experiencing their first heart attack. Additionally, a 2020 study that looked at more than 80,000 US adults hospitalized with flu over eight flu seasons found that sudden, serious heart complications occurred in one out of every eight patients (~12% of patients).
Flu & People with Diabetes:
People with diabetes (type 1, type 2, or gestational), even when well-managed, are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization and sometimes even death. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. In recent seasons, about 30% of adults hospitalized with flu had diabetes; acute illnesses like flu can make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Flu may raise blood sugar levels, but sometimes people don’t feel like eating when they are sick, and a reduced appetite can cause blood sugar levels to fall. It is important for people with diabetes to follow their sick day guidelines if they become ill.
Flu & Pregnancy:
Influenza (flu) is more likely to cause illness that results in hospitalization in pregnant women than in people of reproductive age who are not pregnant. Flu also may be harmful for a pregnant person’s developing baby. (A common flu symptom is fever, which has been associated in some studies with neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes for a developing baby.)
Following is a list of all the health and age factors that are known to increase a person’s risk of getting serious flu complications:
Adults 65 years and older
Children younger than 2 years old
Asthma
Neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions
Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
Kidney diseases
Liver disorders
Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
People who are obese with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
People with a weakened immune system due to disease (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or some cancers such as leukemia) or medications (such as those receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer, or persons with chronic conditions requiring chronic corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress the immune system)
People who have had a stroke
Other people at higher risk from flu:
Pregnant women and women up to 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
Although all children younger than 5 years old are considered at higher risk of serious flu complications, the highest risk is for those younger than 2 years old, with the highest hospitalization and death rates among infants younger than 6 months old.
So what can you do to maximize your health during cold & flu season?
Lets talk about IV Vitamins for prevention!
We have been offering IV Vitamin therapy for years and helping patients not only when they are sick but to help prevent them from getting sick, and best part about it is that most insurances provide full coverage for this therapy!
Nutritional IV Therapy
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in the immune system's function. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the body from free radical damage and inflammation, and it also helps to stimulate the production and activity of white blood cells, which are the body's primary defense against infections. While vitamin C can be obtained from dietary sources, such as citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens, it can be challenging to obtain the necessary amounts from food alone. This is where nutritional IV therapy with vitamin C comes in.
What is Nutritional IV Therapy?
Nutritional IV therapy involves delivering essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals directly into the bloodstream through a vein. This delivery method allows for faster and more efficient absorption of these nutrients than through oral supplementation. IV therapy is commonly used to treat a variety of conditions, including dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. In recent years, it has also become popular as a complementary therapy for boosting immune function during the respiratory season.
How Does Nutritional IV Therapy with Vitamin C Work?
Nutritional IV therapy with vitamin C works by delivering high doses of this essential nutrient directly into the bloodstream. This delivery method allows for faster and more efficient absorption of vitamin C than through oral supplementation. When delivered intravenously, vitamin C can reach much higher levels in the bloodstream than can be achieved through oral supplementation. These high levels of vitamin C can then be utilized by the immune system to fight off infections and boost immune function.
Benefits of Nutritional IV Therapy with Vitamin C for Immune Function:
There are several benefits to nutritional IV therapy with vitamin C for immune function during the respiratory season, including:
Boosting Immune Function: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the body from free radical damage and inflammation. It also helps to stimulate the production and activity of white blood cells, which are the body's primary defense against infections. By delivering high doses of vitamin C directly into the bloodstream, IV therapy can help to boost immune function and reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
Shortening Recovery Time: For individuals who do contract a respiratory infection, IV therapy with vitamin C can help to shorten recovery time. Vitamin C can help to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms and can also help to prevent complications, such as pneumonia.
Reducing the Risk of Complications: IV therapy with vitamin C can also help to reduce the risk of complications from respiratory infections, such as pneumonia. By boosting immune function, vitamin C can help the body fight off infections more effectively and reduce the risk of secondary infections.
Improving Overall Health: In addition to its immune-boosting benefits, vitamin C also plays a role in many other aspects of health, including wound healing, collagen production, and iron absorption. By delivering high doses of vitamin C directly into the bloodstream, IV therapy can help to improve overall health and well-being.
Efficacy of IV Vitamin C Therapy for Colds and Flu:
Clinical studies on the use of vitamin C for the prevention and treatment of respiratory infections found that high doses of vitamin C may help to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms.
Examining the effects of IV vitamin C therapy on patients with severe influenza and found that high-dose vitamin C therapy was associated with reduced inflammation and improved recovery times.
THE BOTTOM LINE
"Allowing and welcoming a yearly flu or a few colds each year can ensure a strong immune system!"
Hopefully these tips today will help you decide whether to stay home or go about your normal routine when you’re not feeling well; as well as which groups are at a higher health risk of serious consequences when exposed to a cold and the flu.
If all else fails and you come down with a cold or the flu, never fear, it can actually be good for you! Click on this link to access one of my past newsletters; “It's good to get sick every now and then.... Really, Doc????”
Make an appointment for your very own personalized IV vitamin cocktail to boost your immunity, reduce the duration and severity of symptoms.
Feel free to come talk to us if you are having doubts or questions about your family’s health. We will give you the honest truth, and the clinical research that supports it.
To make an appointment with me use this link: HERE.
Or, you can always give me a call at (973) 210-3838
I want to hear from you! What are your most challenging heath issues this time of year? Did you find this newsletter helpful?
Share your thoughts in the comments on our
We bring tools such as these to you, our patients, by using proven cutting-edge therapies to extend the health-span, life-span and years of health for everyone (no matter their age)!
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