COVID
Prevention, as with any virus, is best. Make sure that you(r):
- Vitamin D level is optimal (60-80 ng/mL)
- Zinc level is normal
- Get regular and good quality sleep. Most people need at least 8 hours a night.
- Eat a healthy diet. Avoiding high glycemic foods/simple sugars as found in baked goods and pastas. Eat lots of vegetables.
- Manage your work load to avoid chronic stress.
- Wearing a properly fitting mask may offer an added layer of protection in crowded or close encounter situations that are unavoidable, where you suspect you may be at high risk for exposure viruses, particularly if you are feeling "run down". However, this protection is not as much as we once thought it could be. Distancing and good ventilation can also be helpful in these situations.
- Use a nasal spray to keep germs that enter through your nose (like COVID often does) from taking up residence and multiplying, particularly if you think you were exposed to someone who is sick.
If you have a known exposure to COVID or any other virus for that matter, or you are feeling like you are getting sick you can take the following for up to 3 days with exposure or at the first sign of illness:
- A booster dose of vitamin D (up to 20,000 IU) *
- Zinc 30-50 mg *
- Vitamin C 2-5,000 mg *
- L-lysine 2,000 mg *
Other products such as Therazinc, Biocidin, or Viracid can also be effective if used early enough.
IF YOU DEVELOP ANY SYMPTOMS, contact a health care provider immediately. Early treatment greatly improves the chances of a milder case of COVID. The first 24-48 hours of symptoms can be critical.
NOTE: It is difficult to sort through the literature, and we are constantly learning new things. Unfortunately, providers are sometimes limited by their employers regarding treatment options in an effort to ensure that there is continuity of care, to centralize evaluation of the literature (it is time consuming), and to limit liability. However, there are protocols available developed by well qualified physicians that can be helpful. DO NOT attempt to procure medications through the internet or other possibly dangerous sources, or follow protocols without assistance. Protocols are “one size fits all”. Health care providers who are able to use the protocols can modify them to your particular circumstances. For example, some commonly used supplements and “off label” medications are generally quite safe, but there are certain individuals for whom they would NOT be safe, or for whom dosage needs to be adjusted because of medical history or other medications.
Vaccinations: There is much we do not yet know about vaccination long term effects, and there is much yet to be learned from reporting of adverse events via VAERS. Potential issues can be severe (including 11,000 deaths through January 2022: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html).
Vaccines do not prevent you from getting COVID (particularly as mutations continue), and the newest data suggest that they do not really prevent reduce deaths, either. Medical history is very important in considering whether the vaccine is right for you. Finally, the nature history of pandemics is for new varieties to be less dangerous, and we are seeing that "play out".
If you have not yet gotten the vaccine but choose do so, as with all vaccines I suggest that you make sure your immune system is "up" for the challenge by ensuring you are currently well, your vitamin D and zinc levels are optimal, and you have a good level of B vitamins.
Long COVID: Many people experience symptoms after COVID -even with mild cases. This can include brain fog, fatigue, activity intolerance, rashes, anxiety and other problems. We are still learning. There are many treatments that have shown to have some benefit, but we cannot yet always predict which treatment will work best for whom. I can work with you.
