In this episode of the Fiat Health Podcast, Caroline welcomes Ashlynn Matthews to have an uncommon chat about the common cold. They start by discussing what a normal viral infection looks like, how to know if your viral infection has turned into something bacterial, and when you should seek medical care. Caroline and Ashlynn also share practical symptom management strategies including things like saline rinses, raw honey, and supplements. This episode will equip you with the knowledge you need to help your family through this cold season.

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment.

Key Takeaways:

1. Symptom Management: For managing symptoms of a viral infection, we recommend a few things.To promote drainage of mucus you can use a humidifier, saline nasal drops, a neti pot, or run the shower in your bathroom and breathe in the steam. Also, supplements, herbal steams and teas can support the immune system. Specifically we like high-doses of vitamin C, bromelain, NAC, or quercetin for supplements.
2. When to Seek Help for Kids: Parents should seek medical attention if their child exhibits persistent symptoms for more than ten days, experiences a new fever after 7 to 10 days of illness, or shows signs of respiratory distress, such as rapid breathing (over 30-50 breaths per minute) or using accessory muscles to breathe.
3. The Role of Illness in Immune Health: Getting sick is a natural part of life and plays a crucial role in developing a robust immune system. Exposure to various pathogens helps the body learn and build immunity, making it better equipped to handle future infections. It can be normal for young children to experience multiple illnesses, especially in preschool years, as their immune systems are still developing.

Resource:

Need to quickly assess whether your child is in respiratory distress? Check out this Instagram reel!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

03:32 - Viral Infections

04:40 - Viral to Bacterial Infections

12:35 - Promoting Mucus Drainage

17:20 - Herbal Steams

18:54 - Supplements and Teas

29:36 - Illness Frequency in Children

32:36 - Hygiene

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