Disclaimer: Where possible, please see a doctor if you suspect you have flu, especially if you are in a high-risk group (age 60+ and/or with underlying medical condition). The information on this document is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please do not ignore the medical advice of your doctor.

Preventive care

Who: If you are living in a region with many people getting infected by flu, and are a high-risk group (age 60+ and/or with underlying medical condition).

What to do:

• Our own susceptibility (how strong own immunity is) is the most important aspect to “protection”. Keep your spirits high, eat well (essential nutrient dense food, no sugar, no vegetable oil), rest early (earlier than 10.30pm), keep active.
• Take the following supplements:
  • 1000mg Vitamin C /day – eat also more leafy greens (there is synergy when associated)  
  • 10mg Zinc (Zn) /day
  • 5000 IU Vitamin D /day
  • 400 mg Magnesium (Mg) / day

But if you have kidney or liver failure eg. on dialysis or abnormal liver tests consistently, you need to consult your doctor about taking supplements.

Otherwise, you may take every day until the situation in your region is better. If situation does not improve, can safely take up to 6 months and then take a break for 1 month before continuing.

• Take steps to reduce exposure to the virus. Minimising viral load/ dose is the other critical aspect to protection.

If symptoms are severe

Who: People of all ages who experience fever and/or cough associated with difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or loss of speech or movement.

What to do:

• See a doctor immediately!

If possible, call your doctor, hotline or health facility first, so you can be directed to the right clinic. Older people could go into pneumonia quickly without dramatic symptoms.

If mild symptoms or not able to see doctor immediately

Who: The most common symptoms are:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Fatigue

Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include:

• Loss of taste or smell,
• Nasal congestion,
• Conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes)
• Sore throat,
• Headache,
• Muscle or joint pain,
• Different types of skin rash,
• Nausea or vomiting,
• Diarrhea,
• Chills or dizziness.

What to do:

Take the following supplements:

• 2000mg Vitamin C /day for the next month, and then go with 1000mg/day – eat also more leafy greens (there is synergy when associated)  
• 10mg Zinc (Zn)/day – If there is loss of smell, take 50mg/ day until the sense of smell comes back or else maximum up to 1 week, and then reduce to 10mg/ day
• 5000 IU Vitamin D /day for 3 months at least
• 400 mg Magnesium (Mg) /day

If coughing with phlegm (wet cough), it is a sign of bacteria infection:

• Buy antibiotic for 7 days and take it all 7 days
  • Antibiotic can be any of this (only ONE of these 3, the best is Clindamycin):
    • Clindamycin, or
    • Azithromycin, or
    • Erythromycin
  • Patient should not have a known allergy to antibiotics (especially to macrolide type) – if patient has known antibiotic allergy it is best to start taking antibiotic in the hospital not by him/ herself at home.
  • First dose – take a double dose (eg. if daily dose is 500mg, take 1 gr, that is only the first time, to reach the therapeutic level faste. After that first dose take the regular daily dose). If you are scared of allergy – then take just the regular dose, even the first time.
• In the first 24-48 hours after taking antibiotic, patient should feel better. If it gets worse, seek medical attention!
• If after 6 days, the cough is wet (has phlegm) and still coughing frequently – take more take more days, up to 2 weeks is fine.
• If cough is dry and has stopped, continue taking antibiotics for 1 more day after the symptoms disappear.
• Patient can also take
  • a herbal cough syrup – good for immunity eg. Himalaya Koflet Syrup or Divya Swasari Pravahi
  • acetyl cysteine (over the counter drug) – to fluidify the secretions if the cough is very productive, thick à Felt more immediately as helpful compared to herbal cough syrup
  • can also get a bronchodilator (eg. Ventolin) and puff it in 1-2 times if feeling breathless (but here best is to be monitored by a health-care professional!)

Other tips

• Drink lots of fluids – min 3l/day!
• Eat less salty (so as not to elevate blood pressure)!
• Drink 2 lemons / day, in tea!
• Grated ginger (and turmeric) – in teas – are a good support also.
• Rest during daytime (don’t go out) and sleep early

Important: Have a calm and relaxed mindset

• For patient, every 2 hours during the day
  • Take 5 deep breaths
  • Take a 5 min walk
  • à Also helps reduce risk of blood clotting and monitor any changes in breathlessness
• Loved ones can help by talking to the patient at least twice a day
  • Be empathetic: verbalise the patient’s feelings eg. “So you’re feeling scared.” After talking through his/ her feelings, patient will feel better
  • Be supportive: let patient know that he/ she is being supported and will be fine
  • Observe the patient’s physical condition – listen to the cough and see the general status
• Keep all your spirits high – this too shall pass!

Preventing the virus from spreading

• For first 5 – 6 days from the appearance of the first symptoms, patient has a chance of spreading the virus to others.  Mostly in the first few days when patient has fever.
• Family members should minimise contact during this period (except for counselling and checking of patient) and take measures to protect oneself. Even if they are exposed to the virus, if the dose of a virus is small it acts like a vaccine – gives you immunity without you having symptoms!
• For those in contact with the patient, keep your immunity strong by taking preventive measures – food, rest, supplements (see tips on Preventive Care above)
• Anyone feeling sick should stay at home and self-isolate

Recovery

• Patient should recover after 2-6 weeks (elder people – 6weeks)
• Along the way, patient will feel better but still weak, but a bit stronger by the day
• Continue to eat well (essential nutrient dense food, no sugar, no vegetable oil), rest early (earlier than 10.30pm), keep active, continue taking the supplements