Every year in South Florida, cold and flu season winds down just as something else ramps up. Even as respiratory viruses taper off, some are still circulating, so sensible prevention still matters. And right behind them comes spring allergy season, which can mimic several of the symptoms people associate with a cold or the flu. Knowing which one you are dealing with, and what actually helps, makes the transition between the two easier.
Flu severity varies a great deal from one season to the next, and some strains are linked to more serious illness, particularly among adults over 65 and children under 5. The flu vaccine remains the most commonly recommended protection, and while its effectiveness against the dominant circulating strain differs year to year, the CDC's position has consistently been that some protection is better than none. Questions about whether the vaccine is right for you are best answered by your physician.
One thing worth knowing as you reach for the medicine cabinet: over-the-counter pain relievers get overused during cold and flu season. One study found that during cold and flu season, people were 24 percent more likely to exceed the maximum recommended dose of 4,000 milligrams of acetaminophen at least once a week (Reuters). Overuse of this common over-the-counter pain reliever has been linked to liver and kidney damage. Dr. Liffert Vogt, a researcher at the University of Amsterdam Academic Medical Center in the Netherlands, put it plainly: "I would not recommend taking acetaminophen for cold and flu symptoms [. . .] Taking a cup of soup will be much more efficacious than taking a pill." Always follow the label and check with your provider or pharmacist about dosing.
So what is left if the vaccine is an imperfect shield and certain over-the-counter medications are not a great idea? Prevention habits. Sleep, hand hygiene, and nutritional status all get attention this time of year. As Dr. Ryan Brown, DO notes, "Prevention is KEY. So many people are deficient in important vitamins, such as Vitamin D." Vitamin D status has been studied in relation to respiratory infection risk, and micronutrient levels are something a physician can actually measure rather than guess at.
Absorption is part of the picture too. Nutrients taken by mouth have to make it through the digestive tract, and how much your body takes up depends on your gut health and on the supplement itself. Intravenous administration works differently, delivering nutrients directly into the bloodstream. That is one reason some patients ask about an immune support infusion during the winter months, or start with micronutrient testing to see where their levels actually sit. IV nutritional support is a wellness service, not a treatment for the flu, and it is not a substitute for care from your physician.
If you made it through the winter without a cold or the flu, do not rest too easy. Spring allergy season follows close behind, and in Palm Beach County the pollen count does not wait for a calendar date. The good news is that whatever you did to support your overall wellness through the winter puts you in a reasonable position heading into allergy season.
Vitamin C and histamine. Studies have looked at the relationship between vitamin C and histamine, including research suggesting that higher vitamin C levels are associated with reduced histamine release and faster histamine breakdown, and that low vitamin C status is associated with higher blood histamine levels. This is an area of ongoing research rather than a treatment for allergies.
Magnesium and airways. Magnesium is a mineral involved in a wide range of body functions, including sleep and digestion. It has also been studied in connection with airway function, and low magnesium status has been associated with higher blood histamine levels following allergen exposure.
These are just two of the nutrients that come up in conversations about seasonal symptoms. Persistent or severe allergy symptoms should be evaluated by a physician, who can determine what is actually driving them. Some patients in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and Tequesta choose to add IV vitamin infusions to their routine as general nutritional support alongside that care.
RevitalIV is located at 1317 W Indiantown Rd, Suite 100, Jupiter, FL 33458, serving patients from Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, Juno Beach, North Palm Beach, and across Palm Beach County. Call (561) 406-2202 or book a consultation.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary. Consult a licensed healthcare provider about your individual health situation.
