Please read this article. I sent it today to my email subscribers, but because I believe the information is so crucial I wanted more people to have access to it. (By the way, if you are interested in becoming a subscriber to my weekly non-spammy newsletter, you can sign up here.)
Article from my Wellness Adventure Newsletter 1/12/21:
In the last month, COVID-19 has hit closer to home for me as a number of friends and coworkers have contracted it and become very ill. One is now in the ICU with a poor prognosis.
COVID-19 is such a strange virus; it can be mild, moderate, or very dangerous, and even deadly for some. I feel compelled to share some information I have gathered to help protect you. We will take a look at several things. Please read this in its entirety and share it by forwarding it to your family and friends.
1. Similarities & Differences between COVID-19 & the Flu
Some symptoms that both share (1,2), although sometimes it can be hard to distinguish without testing:
- Cough
- Fever/Chills
- Body aches
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
Other similarities: Both can have serious complications
Differences between COVID-19 & the Flu:
- COVID-19 – loss of smell and/or taste
- COVID-19 – Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days (1,2) after exposure, most often around day 5 (2).
- Flu – Symptoms usually appear 1-4 days after exposure (1,2).
- Flu – Children are at a higher risk for severe illness than with COVID-19 (2).
- COVID-19 – Tends to have more of a gradual onset, whereas the flu strikes suddenly and usually intensely.
- COVID-19 – Days 8 & 9 are often when respiratory problems worsen, although some doctors maintain that days 5-12 are the ones to particularly watch out for.
2. If you get sick, be sure to monitor your oxygen levels.
According to pulmonologist Dr. Brent Tatsuno, low oxygen levels can be an early indicator that you may need medical intervention even if you don’t have a cough, fever, or shortness of breath (3). This is called “silent hypoxemia”, but it can be detected with an inexpensive, little device called a pulse oximeter.
I advise that you purchase a pulse oximeter, so that you can monitor your oxygen level at home in case you get sick. Here’s is one that looks good, but there are many choices.
Other warning signs include (but not limited to):
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy, inability to stay awake, or to awaken someone else
- Confusion
- Chest pain
- Abnormal color, i.e. bluish lips
Make sure that you obtain medical help for the above signs/symptoms or any other alarming symptoms.
3. Important information to have ready access to:
Here is a link for a prophylactic treatment plan with significant evidence of being efficacious in the prevention of contracting COVID-19. It also has protocols for the treatment of various stages of COVID-19. I printed parts of it to keep on hand should the need arise and I also downloaded the full article (4).
This is such a sober article, but knowledge is power. And I hope that by sharing it, it can help you and loved ones stay as healthy as possible during this “flu” season.
Of course, it should go without saying to also use common sense precautions and to take measures to put yourself at a good advantage in staying healthy.
From my Wellness Adventure email newsletter 1/6/21:
My 8 Pillars for Optimal Health & a Strong Terrain
- Eat life-giving, nutrient-dense food; avoid life-sucking food. Supplement at times.
- Get plenty of exercise, movement, & activity.
- Get adequate amounts of quality sleep, find a little time for R & R daily, and take a day of rest weekly.
- Practice stress reduction and when it is unavoidable, stress management.
- Tend to your spiritual health.
- Avoid toxins as much as possible: in your food, in your water, on your skin, in the air, household cleaning products, etc.
- Get plenty of sunshine, outdoor time, fresh air, and grounding.
- Nurture joy, thankfulness, gratitude, and purpose.
The octagon of wellness! These 8 Pillars have been my MO for years, although imperfectly. I actually spent time and effort working on all those this year. Even with my inconsistencies and lack of perfection, they have paid off.
As you look forward to this new year, I implore you to spend some time considering the 8 Pillars and how you can improve your health, so that next year at this time you can say you are healthier than you were a year ago. Start somewhere.
Start~Build~Continue is a good credo to adopt.
Conclusion:
Do what you can to take your health into your own hands. Be proactive. Gather information. Gain more knowledge. Take action. But don’t live in fear.
Cheering you on in your health!
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Other articles that I have written that you might like:
Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic
Happiness Even During Hard Times
References
(1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vs-flu/art-20490339#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20and%20the,19%20than%20the%20flu.
(2) https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm#anchor_1595599618
(3) https://hawaiicovid19.com/pulse-oximeter/?utm_content=12128106&utm_medium=Email&utm_name=Id&utm_source=Actionetics&utm_term=Email
(4) https://www.evms.edu/covid-19/covid_care_for_clinicians/
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