Influenza, RSV & Pneumonia, Oh My!
Sick Season Is Upon Us, My Friends!
This sick season has been rough to say the least. Whether it’s the flu (influenza virus), pneumonia or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) it has been no fun! So I wanted to provide some insight on prevention, what you may be dealing with when you are in the midst of illness, and also some choices for when you are in the thick of it- with a naturopathic spin of course! No shame for those who reach for medications at all, I am a firm believer that there is a time and a place. There is tons of that information readily available so I focused on your out-of-the-box options.
All three (pneumonia, flu and RSV) are respiratory illnesses that impact all of us, but can have serious impacts, especially for young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Let’s discuss prevention, shall we?
Prevention For The Win
In the naturopathic principles we recognize that prevention is the best cure. Simple prevention techniques include:
Hand hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid close contact: Stay away from people who are sick, and avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cover coughs and sneezes: Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow to cover your mouth and nose.
Disinfect frequently-touched surfaces: Phones, remote controls, doorknobs, and light switches can harbor germs.
Quit smoking: Smoking damages the lungs and weakens the immune system, making it easier for pneumonia to take hold.
Avoid exposure to air pollutants: Stay away from secondhand smoke and other environmental pollutants.
Strengthen immune function: Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep all contribute to a strong immune system.
Besides The Basics- Bonus Info!
Now since we have some of the basics, let’s talk about other more specific preventative measures you can take:
Elderberry: a safe herbal that can be prepared in a variety of ways (syrup, oxymel, juice, powder, etc) to help bolster the immune system to prevent illness
Fire cider: a combination of apple cider vinegar, onion, garlic and spicy veggies such as jalapeno or horseradish to help improve overall immune function. This can be prepared in many different ways
Vitamin D: this is a fat soluble vitamin that we know plays an important role in your immune function. Due to this being a fat soluble vitamin, you need to know your vitamin D status which you can learn through a simple blood test, before you know how to safely take vitamin D so you are not taking too much
Vitamin C: this is a water soluble vitamin that also plays an important role in your immune function. This is safe to take without any testing since it is water soluble. However, too much at one time can be a laxative so typically I do not recommend people exceed 2-3g per day
Mushrooms: various mushrooms can be helpful in promoting immune surveillance. However, not all mushrooms can work for everyone or are appropriate. For instance, individuals with autoimmune disease, we do not want to upregulate the immune function
Honey: used for centuries, honey is something that is so great for your immune system. It can be a powerful tool to help fight infection, respiratory or topical!
Is The Gross Upon You?
First- I am so sorry, being sick is precisely zero fun. When you are sick often times we are left wondering- what do we even have? So in the event you become sick how can you differentiate what is going on?
Influenza (Flu)
Symptoms:
Sudden onset of fever (often 100-102°F)
Body aches and chills
Fatigue (can be severe)
Headache
Sore throat and cough
Runny or stuffy nose
Shortness of breath can occur, but it’s not typically the hallmark symptom
GI symptoms (like vomiting or diarrhea) can occur, especially in children
Onset: Rapid, often within hours. Symptoms tend to peak quickly and can be severe for 3–5 days, though fatigue may last longer.
Cause: A viral infection (influenza virus) affecting the respiratory system.
Diagnosis:
Rapid flu test or PCR test from a nasal swab
A chest X-ray usually not needed unless complications arise
Pneumonia
Symptoms:
Persistent cough (may produce mucus, which can be green, yellow, or rusty)
Fever, often higher than with flu (101-105°F)
Shortness of breath
Chest pain (sharp, pleuritic pain that worsens with breathing or coughing)
Fatigue and general malaise
Confusion (more common in elderly)
Wheezing and rales (crackling sounds on lung auscultation (listening with stethoscope))
Onset: Can develop gradually or after a cold or flu. Symptoms of pneumonia typically last longer and may worsen over time without treatment.
Cause: Bacterial (like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Staphylococcus aureus) or viral (like influenza or RSV). Fungal or aspiration pneumonia can also occur but are less common.
Diagnosis:
Chest X-ray to identify lung consolidation (infiltrates)
Sputum culture or blood tests may be done to identify the specific pathogen
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
Symptoms:
Runny nose and congestion
Cough (often more severe at night)
Wheezing
Mild fever (not as high as flu or pneumonia)
Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
Fatigue and irritability (especially in infants and young children)
In severe cases, can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia (especially in infants or older adults with weakened immune systems)
Onset: Starts with mild cold-like symptoms (runny nose, mild cough) but can progress to more severe respiratory distress, particularly in vulnerable populations like infants, elderly adults, or those with underlying lung conditions.
Cause: A viral infection (RSV virus) primarily affecting the upper and lower respiratory tract.
Diagnosis:
Rapid RSV test via nasal swab (particularly in infants or children)
Chest X-ray if pneumonia or severe respiratory involvement is suspected
When Is It Time To Call The Doctor?
All that being said, it is important that you reach out to a doctor to get proper diagnosis and treatment for some of these, while other infections, you can manage at home safely.
If you suspect pneumonia is something you will always want to speak with a provider about. While the flu and RSV, if symptoms are manageable, you can safely stay at home to work through them.
Exceptions to the rule would be if you have young kiddos or elderly you are caring for or if you yourself fall into these categories, you always want to play it safer. The same should be said for those who may be immunocompromised. Play is safe and call your doctor or make everyone’s most favorite trip- a trip to your nearest urgent care.
The main rule of thumb is if symptoms are WORSENING, it’s time to call your provider!
You’re Sick, You Think You Know What It Is, Now What?!
Hopefully you have some great support around you because this is the time you may need some. Especially if you are juggling a family on top of not feeling well.
It’s Time To Rest & Recharge As Best You Are Able.
If you have little kids, this may mean calling in backup if they are not sick so that you can actually have some downtime. Take the time off from work, reschedule anything you are able to & truly prioritize rest. The more you rest, the less time you will feel crappy.
Fluids- As Much As You Can Stomach.
Little sips will always win out over big gulps or chugging of water. I try to keep it simple and focus on water with electrolytes as opposed to anything with a big flavor, sports drinks or anything like that. Bone broth and soups are also really good considerations to keep things gentle on your belly, preferably served warm.
Vitamins And Minerals!
This is where knowing your vitamin D status ahead of time is super helpful so we know how high we can safely dose! Vitamin A can also greatly reduce your time of illness & be hugely influential on outcomes. Vitamin A is also fat soluble so its not a one-size-fits all option and needs to be tailored to you. Vitamin C can be hugely helpful for getting back in fighting shape. Another wonderful consideration is zinc. Made popular for its antiviral capabilities through the COVID-19 pandemic, zinc, when used correctly, can be very helpful in aiding your recovery.
Hydrotherapy!
Bringing back all the old school methods here, but things like hydrotherapy carry through our generations because they work! Wet sock therapy is an oldie but a goodie and is based on the premise of us being a closed unit system with a single pump (our heart). We are cooling the feet to promote better blood flow which helps improve white blood cell surveillance & it can help reduce congestion of blood in places such as the sinuses to promote drainage of mucus.
Kitchen Medicine- An All Time Favorite Of Mine!
Remembering that often times we have powerful medicine right in your kitchen is the best. Especially when you have been down and out and likely pretty low in supplies, you probably have a few staples around the kitchen. I like to think about onions, garlic, honey & apple cider vinegar as some pantry staples that are HUGELY helpful for viral infection.
That’s all I’ve got for you this time! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading & as always, if you are looking for a physician to be on your team, reach out to ISAIH Natural Medicine today to see if we’d be a good fit for you! Happy healing, friends!
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