CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Transmission

Coronaviruses cause the common cold. This strain makes some people sicker than usual and has a higher death rate in vulnerable populations. However, recent reports from the CDC state that 80% of COVID-19 patients (of all ages) have experienced mild illness. Transmission is through respiratory droplets that travel through the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is possible that if someone sneezed on a table, then another person touched the table and put their hand in their eye, nose, or mouth, they could contract the disease that way as well.

Symptoms

The initial symptoms are very similar to every cold and flu virus that travels through the population and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. At this time, if a person has these symptoms AND contact with a possibly infected individual (someone with a travel history that puts them in contact with an area or person with known cases) then we are directed to refer that person to the county health department for testing.

Prevention

Prevention of illness is the same for all other upper respiratory illnesses. Stay home if you are sick! Wear a mask to prevent respiratory droplets from traveling out into the air when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands frequently and do not touch your face. Use antimicrobial hand gels when you are not near a sink. Warm water and soap are more effective.

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Basic Prevention

• Eat healthy food with a minimum of sugar and processed foods
• Wash hands and do not touch your face
• Get adjusted! People under regular chiropractic care have much stronger Immune Systems
• Sleep adequately – usually 7-8 hours per night for adults, and up to 12 hours+ a night for children
• Hydrate with beverages that do not contain sugar or caffeine
• Take supplements
• Exercise to your tolerance
• Eat garlic and onions regularly
• Have effective tools to address stress
• Do not smoke or put yourself in situations with second-hand smoke as it is a potent immune suppressive and weakens the lungs

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Daily Supplements for Prevention:

• Multivitamin
• Vitamin C – 1000mg
• Probiotic – 30 billion CFUs
• Vitamin D – 5000 IU (125 mcg)
• Vitamin A – 10,000 IU
• Elderberry – 2000mg
• Congaplex (Standard Process) – 3 capsules/meal

Supplements for Treatment:

• Multivitamin
• Vitamin C – 3000-4000mg/day
• Probiotic – 30 billion CFUs/day
• Vitamin D – up to 10,000 IU (250 mcg)/day (check with your doctor)
• Vitamin A – up to 100,000 IU 3 days in a row for non-pregnant adults (check with your doctor)
• Elderberry – 2000mg/day
• Zinc – 75-100 mg/day
• Gargle with salt water or apple cider vinegar twice daily
• Selenium 200mcg/day (specifically helpful for COVID-19)
• Congaplex (Standard Process) – 1 every hour while awake
• Immuplex (Standard Process) – 1 every hour while awake

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TREATMENT

Similar to prevention supplements but in higher doses for short times. If you have the onset of symptoms consistent with an upper respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness-of-breath specifically), please contact your provider by phone. Arrangements to consult by phone with the doctor and arrange appropriate care will be made. Remember this is a viral infection and antibiotics will not help. In fact, they often weaken your own defenses and make you more susceptible to severe illness.

Most otherwise healthy people will experience COVID-19 like every other viral illness they have had in their life. If you have a weakened immune system for any reason including age, illness, immune suppression, lung problems, or chronic illness, among others, then this could be more serious for you and taking preventative measures is more important.

If you are prone to lung infections, you should be especially careful and report symptoms early, as this infection has specificity for the lungs. There are things that can be done ahead to protect the lungs and decrease susceptibility.

Many over-the-counter medicines that are easily available, will both prolong illness and suppress your body’s ability to fight infection effectively. Do not suppress your fever, decrease your snot production, or give your body false energy by taking over-the-counter medicines. Those things will make it seem like you are less sick than you are, leading you to push yourself when you should be resting, and mask your symptoms, making both diagnosis and treatment more difficult. These medicines can prolong illness by decreasing your natural healing mechanisms. Contact your provider about when their use might be appropriate.

Contact your provider if you have questions, feel you are part of a vulnerable population or have symptoms of illness. The CDC website has reliable information about where there are confirmed cases and what testing is available. Try to avoid getting information from places that make you fearful and stressed. High-stress levels increase your susceptibility to infection.

Our bodies are strong and will mostly be able to fight this illness effectively!

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STEPS WE ARE TAKING IN OUR OFFICE TO KEEP YOU PROTECTED:

• We are wiping down surfaces each day with a disinfectant.
• The table(s) you are adjusted on having a paper that is single-use and changed out each time a patient is adjusted.
• We are keeping our immune systems healthy, and are here to serve you with the awesome immune-boosting power of chiropractic care!

We are here for you! Call us today at (512) 346-3536 or request an appointment Here.