Self-care for respiratory infections
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With the tripledemic of COVID, RSV and flu happening all over the country, many patients have been reaching out for support during respiratory infections. So, I thought it would be helpful to let you know some basic self-care tips.
First up: Rest. In our first surgery lecture in medical school, it was impressed upon us that, “Rest is the first principle of healing.” This applies not only to surgical problems, but to infections as well. Stay at home, keep your germs to yourself and rest. A mild COVID case can turn nasty really fast. So can RSV. And if you have influenza A, most likely you can’t get out of bed anyway.
Second: Fast. If you have a fever, it’s important to fast. If the fever is high, as in flu, only take teas. You can have fresh ginger tea, or ginger, lemon and honey, or tulsi tea. You could also make any of the teas listed in our blog Herbal Teas for Flu. These teas will be equally good for other viruses. But if you are pregnant, it is better not to take any herbal home remedies without specific advice from your practitioner.
If you have a low-grade fever, you can also take broths like mung bean broth, vegetable broth or chicken broth.
If you have an infection with no fever and a low appetite, take soups.
Third: Test. It’s helpful to know what you are dealing with by getting tested for RSV, flu and COVID. Here’s how to do a COVID rapid test correctly. Note that the instructions on the test kit are not adequate to the current situation. First, look at the expiration date on your test kit. Then, if it’s not expired, proceed as follows: You need to swab your mouth and nose. Do not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes before collecting your sample. Blow your nose before the test. Swab your inner cheeks, at the level of upper and lower molars, and your lower gums, turning the swab a few times. Swab under your tongue. Swab the back of your throat and your tonsils. Then swab both nostrils.
The expiration for your COVID test may have been extended, Check here https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list
Get your new free COVID tests https://www.covid.gov/tests
Fourth: Breaking your fast. Once your fever is down and appetite returns, break your fast with mung bean soup or barley soup with ginger, cinnamon, cumin, fennel, turmeric and a little black pepper. Gradually make thicker soups with more things like carrots and rice, until you feel ready for a nice bowl of kichari. Return to your daily activities slowly and with awareness of your energy level.
And again, please keep your germs to yourself. You don’t want to be part of a chain of transmission that ends up with a child in PICU on a ventilator—and that’s happening a lot this winter. Stay home, keep to yourself, wear a mask. Get well and stay well.
Alakananda Ma M.B., B.S. (Lond.) is an Ayurvedic Doctor (NAMA) and graduate of a top London medical school. She is co-founder of Alandi Ayurveda Clinic and Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula in Boulder Colorado, as well as a spiritual mother, teacher, flower essence maker and storyteller. Alakananda is a well known and highly respected practitioner in the Ayurveda community both nationally and internationally.
Enliven your holistic health! Visit Alakananda Ma in Alandi Ashram’s ayurvedic clinic to support the overall rejuvenation of your body, mind, and spirit. In-person and virtual appointments available. Book now!
