Treating kids' cough and cold symptoms: Homeopathic remedies and natural supplements don't work.



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Sick? Louisiana Folks Suggest Remedies For Flu And COVID Symptoms

Lafayette, LA (KPEL News) - Flu and COVID are hitting Louisiana hard right now. I can attest to COVID. Four of my family members, as of 12/27/2023, have tested positive and are dealing with the nasty symptoms.

The Louisiana Department of Health data shows a spike in "influenza-like illness" being reported, and the levels of flu and COVID increasing.

Both the flu and COVID have knocked me back in the last few years, and the body aches can be brutal. They started in my legs the last go 'round, and a hot bath relieved the discomfort for a few blessed hours.

If you've been struck by either of those evil bugs, you understand how much you appreciate suggestions for relief. Enter our Louisiana folks who offered a list of home remedies that may make your road to recovery less difficult.

For those of us who aren't sick, wash your hands.

Stay home if you are and maybe these tips will help.

Disclaimer: None of these suggestions replace professional medical care and shouldn't be used in lieu of a visit with your doctor.

Suggested Remedies for Flu and COVID Symptoms from Louisiana

Being sick is the worst! Not only do you feel gross, you have to miss work and pause your life to get better. There may not be a pill or potion that zaps you back to normal, but here are a few suggestions from Louisiana folks to help you through it.

Gallery Credit: TRACY WIRTZ

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What's Going Around: RSV, Strep, Flu, Stomach Bug

WellSpan Pediatric Medicine Physicians across the Midstate are seeing RSV, croup, bronchiolitis and flu.

The providers at UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics in York and Spring Grove are continuing to see RSV, strep throat and viral illness this week. They are also seeing a stomach bug.

The CVS MinuteClinic in York reports the flu and viral bronchitis this week.

Pediatricians at Penn State Health Children's Hospital continue to see a lot of RSV, some cases of COVID, some cases of the flu, strep throat, upper respiratory infections, bronchitis and stomach bugs.

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Physicians Roseville Pediatrics says RSV is still the most common virus they are seeing, although they saw a sharp increase in strep cases this week.

The flu and stomach bug have also been on the rise. They have seen a bit more croup in the last week and asthmatics have been having a rough time with the viral load in the community. They have seen an increase in asthma exacerbations as a result.

Dr. Joan Thode offered the following advice about strep and sore throats:

"Strep throat is caused by a bacteria called streptococcus, which is highly contagious and common especially in the winter months. While the typical clinical picture is a bad sore throat, other common symptoms of a strep infection include headache and belly pain, which often includes nausea and vomiting, but not diarrhea.

In older kids and adults, a strep infection can mimic symptoms of the flu, with fevers, body aches and fatigue. The only way to definitively differentiate the flu from strep is by a swab.

Strep does warrant treatment with antibiotics. We do not treat for strep without testing with a swab, however, because the antibiotic that would treat strep could cause bad side effects or bacterial resistance in the context of the other diagnoses. It takes an office visit to put your child's symptoms together with the physical exam and possibly an additional swab to make an accurate diagnosis.

Dangerous symptoms to watch for that warrant an immediate call to the doctor: difficulty swallowing to the point where your child is drooling because they cannot swallow their saliva; severe throat pain that is only on one side of the throat that causes their voice to become very whispery; sore throat accompanied by distressed breathing or the child's feeling like they can't inhale enough air."

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.


These States Have The Highest Number Of COVID, Flu And RSV Cases Right Now

Woman laying on the couch sick under a blanket

Winter is the peak season for contagious illnesses across the board, but according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a trifecta of viruses is especially going around right now. Cases for COVID, the flu and RSV are all rising and are dangerously high in some states in particular.

If you want to stay healthy, it's important to know where cases of these viruses are spreading the most, why the number of infected people is so high right now and science-backed ways to protect yourself.

Related: Do You Have Coronavirus or the Flu? It's Not Always Easy to Tell, but Here's How Doctors Suggest Figuring It Out

What States Have the Highest Number of COVID, Flu and RSV in December 2023?

Data from the CDC shows that the number of cases of COVID, flu and RSV are up across the country. As of December 1, 2023, there has been a 200% increase in people with the flu, a 51% increase in people with COVID, and a 60% increase in RSV. There are 13 states, plus New York City, especially experiencing a spike. The list of states where respiratory illness levels are very high is below:

  • Louisiana

  • South Carolina

  • New Mexico

  • Mississippi

  • Alabama

  • Georgia

  • North Carolina

  • Tennessee

  • New Jersey

  • Wyoming

  • Colorado

  • Nevada

  • California

    • "With the cold weather, we are spending more time indoors than before, which relates to increased rates of respiratory infections. The rate of vaccination tends to be lower in the midwest and south regions for all vaccines—particularly COVID," says Dr. William A. Haseltine, PhD, the Chair and President of ACCESS Health International, a former Harvard Medical School professor, and expert on infectious diseases about why there is an increase in illnesses, particularly in these states.

    Related: Here's What You Can Expect COVID Symptoms to Look Like Day by Day—and Why Days 5 Through 10 Are the Most Important

    How To Stay Healthy No Matter Where You Live

    A major reason why COVID, the flu and RSV are so high right now is because many people are not getting vaccinated for them—especially COVID. Remember in 2021 when millions were enthusiastically lining up for the COVID vaccine? Now, enthusiasm has waned. But Dr. Haseltine emphasizes that it's still important to get vaccinated.

    "Receiving the COVID vaccine is still important as it can protect from serious disease. The most recent evidence suggests that the current vaccines will protect you for around six months but not much longer. Therefore, it is important to take the booster shots every season," he explains.

    Dr. Haseltine adds that if the number of people getting the COVID vaccine remains low, then hospitalization rates will continue to rise, and we may see increased rates of long-term COVID.

    Related: Do You Have the Flu? Here's Everything You Need to Know About Navigating Symptoms and Treatment

    Getting vaccinated for the flu is also important. Data collected from the CDC shows that getting the flu vaccine reduces the risk of getting the flu between 40% and 60%. You can get the flu and COVID vaccines at the same time or at different times. "It is okay to receive the flu and COVID vaccination together. This is similar to how it is okay to get your standard childhood vaccinations at the same time," Dr. Haseltine says.

    In terms of getting vaccinated for RSV, Dr. Haseltine says this is critical for pregnant women and their babies. The CDC also recommends that adults ages 60 and older get vaccinated for RSV.

    Besides getting vaccinated, Dr. Haseltine says that there are other ways to stay healthy—all precautions you've likely heard many times before. "The best ways to stay healthy are much the same as they have been: avoid crowds. Particularly, avoid indoor crowded spaces when you can, and if you cannot, then wear a mask. Wear a mask if you have to be in crowded areas, like when shopping and on public transport," he says.

    Even though the pandemic is over, that doesn't mean that COVID no longer exists. It does and the rate of infection is especially high right now due to a low number of people getting the COVID booster. Vaccines are widely accessible and have been proven to reduce illness. Taking advantage of them will not only keep you healthy, but will help keep others healthy too.

    Next up, doctors set the record straight on nine myths about the flu.

    Sources



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