Home care for the Cold & Flu Season

If you start to get sick...

Remember, fever is your friend - it is how your body destroys those viral invaders! Do not reduce fevers unless they go over 102* for adults and 103* for children. EXCEPTION – any fever in an infant should receive prompt medical attention. If you or your child experiences a stiff neck, high fever (over 104*) or changes in consciousness, you need to see a doctor ASAP.

Below you will find how to care for a cold and flu at home. 

​Day 1: "Hit it hard!"

• REST!!!!!
  
• Vitamin C – increase dosage from once a day to once an hour when you first start to feel ill (if your stools get loose, back off)
  
• Biovegetarian Wellness formula – adult dose: 2 pills every 2 hours; children ½ pill every 2 hours (available at Hamptons Naturopathic)
  
• Elderberry Syrup - 1 tsp per hour for the first 4 hours, then every 2 hours for the rest of the day; children take ½ adult dose
  
• Warming Socks 
  
• Tea – Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat or Echinacea – take with honey
  
• NO sugar or dairy for the duration of the cold or flu
  
  

Day 2: "Keep going, but a little less so"

 

• Continue to REST!!
• Vitamin C – back off to dosing every 4 hours (adults 4000 mg total, children 1600 mg)
• Biovegetarian – 2 caps every 4 hours (children ½ cap)
• Elderberry (Sambucus) Syrup – 1 tsp 4 times a day (children ½ dose)
• Warming socks – repeat
• Tea – Gypsy Cold Care tea
• Eucalyptus or Thyme or Mint steams to clear sinuses as needed  

Day 3 and beyond: "Easy does it"

• Continue doing the day 2 protocol until you’re better – following the instructions carefully. Most people are well by the end of day 3. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you are worsening or if you are not better in 5-7 days.

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• *Dosages above are for the average person – if you are chronically ill or especially sensitive, or if your child is an infant, work with your naturopath to optimize your dosage.​