(This is a series of posts on the health effects of different types of radioactive fallout)

Last post we discussed what to do in the event of a nuclear explosion and resulting fallout. If you happen to get caught in the path of the fallout the following information will help guide you on what to do. 

Radioactive iodine isn’t the only radioactive isotope that is found in fallout during a nuclear explosion. The EPA monitors several radioactive isotopes that have been used in nuclear bombs, some of the most common are listed below.

Three Common Radioactive Isotopes found during nuclear fallout

The following three radioactive isotopes commonly found in a nuclear explosion and resulting fallout, however there are many more than these three that can be present during a nuclear event. Over the upcoming posts we will delve into these three and will discuss mitigation and possible ways to remove the radioactive substance from the body (chelation)

• Cesium-137

 Internal exposure to Cs-137, which mimics potassium is distributed in the soft tissues, especially muscle tissue, which increases cancer risk.

• Strontium-90 

Strontium-90 can be inhaled, but ingestion in food and water is the greatest health concern. Once in the body, Sr-90 acts like calcium and is readily incorporated into bones and teeth, where it can cause cancers of the bone, bone marrow, and soft tissues around the bone. 

The focus today will be on radioactive iodine

Radioactive iodine

Thyroid gland and iodine

• Iodine-131 
• There are 37 known iodine isotopes, some are radioactive, and some are not. Iodine-131 is one that is usually found in nuclear explosions. Iodine -123 (and 129)are used for imaging purposes of the brain, blood and thyroid. In micro doses Iodine-131 is used for diagnostic imaging of the brain, pulmonary and thyroid. 

The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce thyroid hormones and cannot distinguish between radioactive iodine and stable (nonradioactive) iodine. If iodine were released into the atmosphere, people could ingest it in food products or water, or breathe it in.

In addition, if dairy animals consume grass contaminated with iodine, the radioactive iodine will be incorporated into their milk. Consequently, people can receive internal exposure from drinking the milk or eating dairy products made from contaminated milk.

 Once inside the body, radioactive iodine will be absorbed by the thyroid gland, potentially increasing the risk for thyroid cancer or other thyroid problems.

Ingesting iodide tablets (KI) flood the thyroid gland, can protect the thyroid gland from absorbing the radioactive iodine from a nuclear incident. This is a good preventative measure, however all body systems are affected by radioactive fallout, depending on the radioactive isotope.

Who is at most risk of radiation poisoning?

• • Females and children are the most susceptible.
  • Infants and children are especially sensitive to radiation exposure. The cells in children and fetuses divide rapidly, providing more opportunity for radiation to disrupt the process and cause cell damage. Young girls are especially susceptible to the effects of ionizing radiation for reasons not quite known now.
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women

• Young adults are less sensitive to the effects of radiation

Less risk of radiation poisoning unless a large fallout of radioactive fallout is present

People over 40 are more resistant to the effects of radiation poisoning.

How to take potassium iodide 

SINCE POTASSIUM IODIDE IS AN OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION IT MAY BE VIEWED AS NOT HARMFUL OR WITHOUT SIDE EFFECTS. CONSULT YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER BEFORE TAKING THIS OR ANY OTHER SUPPLEMENTS.

Only take potassium iodide if state or local health authorities suggest you do so. During an emergency, health officials will send out an announcement. Your health department will then tell you when it’s OK to take potassium iodide. They’ll also tell you when you can stop the medication.

Excerpt from FDA recommendations:

How much potassium iodide (KI) should I take?

The FDA has approved two different forms of KI—tablets and liquid—that people can take by mouth after a nuclear radiation emergency. Tablets come in two strengths, 130 milligram (mg) and 65 mg. The tablets are scored so they may be cut into smaller pieces for lower doses. Each milliliter (mL) of the oral liquid solution contains 65 mg of KI.  According to the FDA, the following doses are appropriate to take after internal contamination with (or likely internal contamination with) radioactive iodine: 

• Adults should take 130 mg (one 130 mg tablet OR two 65 mg tablets OR two mL of solution). Children who are adult size (greater than or equal to 150 pounds) should take the full adult dose, regardless of their age.
• Women who are breastfeeding should take the adult dose of 130 mg.
• Children between 3 and 18 years of age should take 65 mg (one 65 mg tablet OR 1 mL of solution).
• Infants and children between 1 month and 3 years of age should take 32 mg (½ of a 65 mg tablet OR ½ mL of solution). This dose is for both nursing and non­nursing infants and children. 
• Newborns from birth to 1 month of age should be given 16 mg (¼ of a 65 mg tablet or ¼ mL of solution). This dose is for both nursing and non­nursing newborn infants.
• NOTE Newborn infants should only be given potassium iodide under the direction of a healthcare provider. Their underdeveloped thyroid is at risk for developing low thyroid. Thyroid function tests are indicated after iodide has been administered and the radioactive event has passed. 

Medical conditions in which taking KI may be harmful

Taking KI may be harmful for some people because of the high levels of iodine in this medicine. 

You should not take KI if: 

• you know you are allergic to iodine (If you are unsure about this, consult your doctor. 
• A Seafood or shellfish allergy does not necessarily mean that you are allergic to iodine.) 
• Certain skin disorders (such as dermatitis herpetiformis or urticaria vasculitis). 
• People with thyroid disease (for example, multinodular goiter, Graves’ disease, or autoimmune thyroiditis) 
• In all cases, talk to your doctor if you are not sure whether to take KI.

Side Effects of KI

When taken as directed KI has few side effects. 

Some of the more common side effects are:

• Skin rashes
• Inflammation of the salivary glands
• GI upset

Communication- In the event of a nuclear event or any natural or manmade disaster, knowing what is going on outside the four walls of your home will help you decide on a course of action.

A hand crank or transistor radio is invaluable in these instances. If you are so inclined to take communication a step further. consider joining an amateur radio club in your area and testing for your ham radio license, Check out ARRL for more information.

“Believe you can, and you are halfway there” Truman Capote

To begin with, we will delve into what you can do mitigate the effects of a nuclear explosion, through planning and education. And of course, action.

Most all nuclear events are survivable if you take time for appropriate planning and action.  (Unless in direct ground zero area, which us usually an isolated area)

We have put together a downloadable pdf to help you plan and put together a nuclear survival kit. Nuclear Fallout Preparation Checklist

Let’s get started

If you see any of the following, be aware this may be the start of a nuclear event

• Bright FLASH can cause temporary blindness for less than a minute
• BLAST WAVE can cause death, injury, and damage to structures several miles out from the blast.

Steps to take if caught in a nuclear fallout area

The initial fallout following a nuclear blast is the most dangerous within the first hours. At this point the highest levels of radiation can be detected. As the radioactive fallout is carried through the air, it can take more than 15 minutes to reach ground level. Most nuclear radiation has a half life of a few days, some such as Cesium-137 half life is 30 years. 

GET INSIDE

• Get inside the nearest building to avoid radiation. Brick or concrete structures, even parking garages can provide protection.
• Remove contaminated clothing and wipe off or wash unprotected skin if you were outside after the fallout arrived. Hand sanitizer does not protect against fall out. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, if possible. Do not use disinfectant wipes on your skin. In addition, when washing, do not use conditioner in hair, it can mix with the radioactive particles and stay on the body.
• Discard or leave clothing outside where you are sheltering
• Go to the basement or middle of the building. Stay away from the outer walls and roof. The more mass between you and the outdoor elements , especially concrete and dirt the less radiation exposure. 
• Cover windows, vents and doors with plastic sheeting and seal with duct tape

STAY INSIDE

• Stay inside for at least 24 hours, preferably 72 hours unless local authorities provide other instructions. In some instances, it may be necessary to remain in place up to 3 weeks. Plan accordingly
• Family should stay where they are inside. Reunite later to avoid exposure to dangerous radiation.
• Keep your pets inside. If your pets are outside during an event, bring them in after thoroughly washing them to remove any fallout particles. 
• Only drink water you have stored. Radioactive fallout will contaminate water sources.

STAY TUNED

• Tune into any media available for official information such as when it is safe to exit and where you should go.
• Battery operated and hand crank radios will function after a nuclear detonation.
• Cell phone, text messaging, television, and internet services may be disrupted or unavailable.

Prepare NOW

• Identify the best shelter location near where you spend a lot of time, such as home, work, and school. The best locations are underground and in the middle of larger buildings.
• While commuting, identify appropriate shelters to seek in the event of a detonation. As you go about your day, make note of buildings and structures that may serve as shelters if you are not home at the time of a nuclear event. 
• Outdoor areas, vehicles, mobile homes do NOT provide adequate shelter. Look for basements or the center of large multistory buildings.
• Download our Nuclear Fallout Preparation Checklist and put together a nuclear survival kit. Be sure to take time to educate and inform family members of your plans and what steps to take if away from home. 

Effects of radiation

• RADIATION can damage cells of the body. Large exposures can cause radiation sickness. See Education series below for further information.
• FIRE AND HEAT can cause death, burn injuries, and damage to structures several miles out. (Health effects series to follow)
• ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE (EMP) can damage electronics several miles out from the detonation and cause temporary disruptions further out.
• FALLOUT is radioactive, visible dirt and debris raining down that can cause sickness to those who are outside.
• Fallout zones- These are where the radioactive dust is picked up into high altitude winds and carried to other parts of the country. It is important to note the direction of the wind, to be aware of where fallout may be headed and avoid that area if possible. 

Education Series

Body effects of radiation poisoning

This is the first in a series on the different types of radiation found in a nuclear explosion and the effects it can have on the body. The thyroid, an important organ of the body, isn’t the only organ that is affected by radiation.

 We will review the different types of radiation and the body systems it can damage, and some antidotes beyond iodine that can help the body remove radiation from the body.

Phases of radiation poisoning 

(Excerpts from Bruce W. Clements, Julie Ann P. Casani, in Disasters and Public Health (Second Edition), 2016):

Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) is one of the most challenging aspects of a public health and medical response to a nuclear or radiological incident. This condition is the result of a large exposure to a penetrating external radiation source over a short period of time. ARS includes four stages. 

• A prodromal stage with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can begin within minutes or days of the exposure and last up to several days. 
• A latent stage follows in which the patient feels fine for a period of time ranging from hours to weeks. This latent stage is followed by a 
• manifest illness stage, which includes one or more of three classic syndromes (CDC, 2005a):

1. Bone marrow syndrome often leading to death from the destruction of bone marrow resulting in infections and hemorrhage
2. Gastrointestinal syndrome likely leading to death from serious gastrointestinal tract damage causing infections, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance.
3. Cardiovascular/central nervous system syndrome leading to death within a few days from circulatory system collapse and increased intracranial pressure from edema, vasculitis, and meningitis. 

The final stage is either recovery or death. The entire process can take from a few weeks to a couple years. 

The chart on the website provides additional details beyond the scope of this post

Eat your mushrooms!

As summer draws to a close, our supply of naturally occurring vitamin D from sun exposure starts to wane. However, there is one food source that, when exposed to the sun contains over 100 percent of our vitamin D RDA- mushrooms!  An experiment performed at Fungi Perfecti by placing shitake mushrooms, gills up (before sun exposure contained 40 IU per 100 grams) for 12 hours in sunlight produced 46,000 IU per 1200 grams vitamin D4 (the precursor to vitamin D3, the more bioavailable form of vitamin D) The vitamin D content is retained for up to a year after exposure. Fascinating!

Pick up your Jase Case now if you haven’t done so:

The Jase case covers a broad variety of infections, from urinary tract infection to bacterial pneumonia. With the fragile supply chain which doesn’t seem to be getting any better anytime soon, it would be prudent to pick up a Jase case for each member of your family, which is health insurance in today’s unstable world. 

Pick out one project that will bring you closer to medical readiness and do it this week. If it is a large project, break it into phases and tackle it. Every day and effort you put into your personal health preparedness brings you closer to navigating a failing healthcare system.

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” — Tony Robbins

Food recalls have reached staggering levels. Below are a few recent recalls that you may want to visit and check your cupboards and refrigerator. 

Along with food recalls is a voluntary recall of mislabeled medication: Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Atenolol 25 mg Tablets and Clopidogrel 75 mg Tablets Due to a Label Mix-up

Food recalls:

 More than 60 meat products recalled over listeria threat

USDA recalls 20K pounds of frozen beef products due to undeclared allergens

Connoisseur’s Kitchen Recalls Imported Frozen Chicken Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Check Your Fridge: 25 Brands of Cheese Were Just Recalled Due to Listeria Concerns

Listeria Outbreak Linked to Ice Cream

Michigan consumers warned of produce contaminated with human waste Crops sprayed with untreated raw sewage

CDC says outbreak linked to Wendy’s sandwiches is over with more than 100 sick cause of this outbreak was e coli contaminated romaine lettuce

FDA reveals cantaloupe was behind outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections

Listeria, Salmonella and E-coli food recalls

Listeria contamination seems to be a leading cause of recalls. What is Listeria? Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that causes listeriosis. According to the CDC: Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. Most people who are not in the at-risk group have mild symptoms and rarely get sick.

Invasive illness symptoms

Symptoms of invasive illness usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria.

Invasive means bacteria have spread beyond the intestines (gut). Invasive listeriosis happens when Listeria have spread beyond the intestines.

Pregnant women sometimes have no symptoms; however infection can result in miscarriage and stillbirth or life threatening infection of newborn

Fever (Pregnant and other at-risk groups)

Flu like symptoms and muscle aches (Pregnant and other at-risk groups)

Other at-risk groups not pregnant:

• Stiff neck
• Loss of balance
• Confusion
• Headache

Intestinal illness symptoms

Listeria can also cause an intestinal illness. This kind of illness is rarely diagnosed because laboratories do not regularly test patient stool (poop) samples for Listeria.

Symptoms of intestinal illness usually start within 24 hours after eating food contaminated with Listeria and usually last 1–3 days. Symptoms are usually mild; however, some do progress to invasive illness.

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Treatment

Most cases of listeria are self-limiting. If progresses to invasive illness, IV antibiotics are sometimes used. Ciprofloxacin, found in the Jase case is sometimes indicated. 

Keep Listeria Out of Your Kitchen Along with thoroughly scrubbing vegetables under running water and making a sanitizer to use on all surfaces that may or have come in contact with food with 1 teaspoon unscented bleach to a quart of water, apply and let set for 10 minutes then wipe; there are several excellent recommendations on this FDA website.

Salmonella

Another recall was salmonella contamination

Salmonella bacteria cause about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year. Food is the source for most of these illnesses. At risk populations include: children younger than 5, older adults, and people with immune systems weakened from a medical condition, such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease, and cancer or its treatment. almonella can be found in many foods, including sprouts and other vegetables, eggs, chicken, pork, fruits, and even processed foods.  Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. 

Symptoms of salmonella infection include:

Symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection and last 4 to 7 days.

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Stomach cramps

Salmonella can be spread from food to people, people to people and animal to people. 

Treatment

Most people recover within four to seven days without treatment and should not take antibiotics. Antibiotics are typically used only to treat people who have severe illness or who are in the at risk group with severe symptoms. If an antibiotic is indicated, ciprofloxacin and azithromycin are prescribed, which both are found in the Jase case. 

It is estimated that for every positive laboratory test there are 30 cases undiagnosed. 

Some people’s illness may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized.

Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli)

Another recall was e coli contamination

Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli) are bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. Some kinds of E. coli can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of people and animals. Most E. coli are harmless and are an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract. However, some E. coli are pathogenic, meaning they can cause illness, either diarrhea or illness outside of the intestinal tract. The types of E. coli that can cause diarrhea can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with animals or persons.

Some kinds of E. coli cause disease by making a toxin called Shiga toxin. The bacteria that make these toxins are called “Shiga toxin-producing” E. coli, or STEC for short. Some types of STEC frequently cause severe disease, including bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. 

Treatment

Most people recover without treatment within 5-10 days. If e coli affects the kidneys or causes a urinary tract infection ciprofloxacin (found in the Jase case) is an effective antibiotic. 

Flu season is just around the corner- are you prepared?

This is the time to stock up on all the essential medicines, drinks, Kleenex, thermometers and other items you may need to be ahead of the curve. Take stock of your medicine cabinet. 

Do you have:

• Age-appropriate analgesic, antipyretic, decongestant, expectorant?

• Humidifier?

• Neti pot and salt pipe? Neti pots can help alleviate stuffy noses and reduce viral load in the nasal cavity. Salt pipes have been popular for centuries and help calm and soothe bronchus and asthma attacks, as well as an effective antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. 

• Raw organic honey– Honey has been proven to be as effective as dextromethorphan as a cough suppressant

• Elderberry syrup Helps fight and reduce symptoms of influenza virus

• Cough drops- Elderberry and zinc cough drops help fight influenza and other viruses

• Extra paper cups and straws- reduce incidence of cross contamination

• Colloidal silver for gargling Influenza virus is found on the soft palate of the mouth. Gargling with colloidal silver has proven to reduce influenza and other viruses and bacteria

Pick out one project that will bring you closer to medical readiness and do it this week. If it is a large project, break it into phases and tackle it. Every day and effort you put into your personal health preparedness brings you closer to navigating a failing healthcare system.

    “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” — Tony Robbins

Data from GeoSentinel highlights that about 8% of international travelers have become ill to the point of needing immediate medical intervention during or after their trips. The most common travel-related condition that people experience is gastrointestinal disease. This is followed by febrile illnesses like malaria, which affects around 250 million travelers every year.

Health risks are present no matter where you’re traveling to, so it’s always important to stay prepared for any situation. If you’re facing an emergency case during your trip, here’s what you’ll need to do:

Perform the Appropriate First Aid Steps

Preparation is the key because anything can happen during these trips. So before you go, arm yourself with first aid supplies and skills.

For instance, our article entitled Are You Prepared for a Head or Brain Injury reports that brain injuries impact more than 2.8 million people every year. These are usually caused by vehicle accidents and falls, which can be quite common during trips. If you’re dealing with lacerations, we recommend cleaning the wound before applying a first aid ointment and covering it up with a bandage. Additionally, your first aid knowledge will come in handy when dealing with falls because you’ll need to conduct tests to evaluate the gravity of the injury.

Use Telehealth for an Immediate Response

People usually perceive telehealth as a service that’s limited to online consultations, even when these services have so much to offer.

In fact, a look at an article on the future of telehealth by Maryville University shows that these online services are becoming more comprehensive due to the creation of specific software programs and the integration of remote monitoring technologies. These specialty-specific software programs can give people 24/7 access to orthopedic, surgical, and emergency providers, which can be advantageous when encountering accidents or emergencies during your trip. Time is of the essence during these incidents, and telehealth ensures that you’re just one call away from a medical provider.

Get in Touch With Your Medical Insurance Provider

Hospital services can get expensive in certain countries, and your medical bill can shoot up even further when you’re dealing with emergency injuries or illnesses.

So before you head to the hospital, Insurance Business recommends calling your travel insurance provider’s emergency assistance line. Doing so can help you navigate language barrier issues and find the nearest doctor available in the area. Your travel medical insurance provider can also help you find transportation to an appropriate medical facility. If necessary, insurance can cover the costs for the medical procedures and the evacuation process, unless the injuries were caused by extreme sports activities or alcohol and drug use.

Contact the Nearest US Embassy or Consulate

Accidents and illnesses are unexpected, which is why not all tourists are equipped with first aid kits, telehealth access, or travel insurance.

In this situation, the CDC suggests calling the nearest US embassy or consulate, which is available for emergency calls 24/7. These US officials can help you locate medical services near your area, so that you can get medical assistance as soon as possible. On top of that, these officials can also notify your family, friends, and employers about any emergencies that have occurred during your trip.

No one ever wants to encounter accidents or illnesses during their trip. However, these crises can happen, so make sure to prepare first aid kits beforehand and know which authorities to contact in case of emergencies. 

Written by Nyla Bryce

 As of Monday, the death toll has risen to over 100. Over 2.7 million people lost electric power and as of Monday afternoon more than 600,000 were still without power. Widespread flooding has caused sewers to overflow, and authorities are advising people to treat floodwaters as contaminated. Florida hospitals in the Ft. Myers area, along with nursing homes have been forced to evacuate thousands of patients because of lack of sanitary water due to power outages; electricity powers the water pumps. In one Ft Myer hospital, workers and patients were forced to defecate into bags and stack them up in the overflowing biohazard bin. With the inability to even wash their hands, diseases will rapidly spread.  

This is just the beginning of a massive health crisis in the making. Hepatitis, infectious diarrhea, e coli, and a host of other bacterial, viral and fungal diseases will soon emerge from this natural disaster.  It is not known when or where power will be restored. Boil orders for tap water are widespread throughout Florida. The entire medical infrastructure is under severe strain or has collapsed. It is going to take months for life to return to some semblance of normal for the residents of Florida and many coastal areas up the Eastern seaboard. 

The following are some information sites for residents of Florida:

• Florida Boil Water Notices https://tinyurl.com/4vrf8ynp
• Florida Power Outage Map https://poweroutage.us/area/state/florida
• American Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2022/red-cross-responds-to-hurricane-ian.html
• Florida Association of Community Health Partners https://www.fachc.org/

 Education series

Our education series continues with common school age illnesses

3 types of sinusitis:

Acute bacterial sinusitis- This term refers to a sudden onset of cold symptoms such as runny nose, stuffy nose, and facial pain that does not go away after 10 days, or symptoms that seem to improve but then return and are worse.

Chronic sinusitis- Refers to symptoms such as increased facial pressure, headache, runny or stuffy nose that lasts for more than 12 weeks

Subacute sinusitis- Symptoms that last for 4-12 weeks

Recurrent acute sinusitis- Symptoms that come back four or more times in one year and last less than two weeks each time.

Causes of Sinusitis

• Nasal and seasonal allergies, including allergy to mold
• Common cold
• Polyps
• Deviated septum
• Weakened immune system from previous illness

Common signs and symptoms:

• Nasal discharge, can be clear, light colored, yellow or green
• Facial pain or pressure
• Headache- especially around nose, eyes and forehead
• Mucus dripping down the throat (post-nasal drip)
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Bad breath

How is it spread:

For infants and young children:

• • Sharing pacifiers, toys or drinking cups
  • Not covering mouth when coughing

• Sneezing without covering face

Adults:

• • Smokers are at higher risk for nasal infections than the nonsmoking population
  • Not washing hands

• Not covering face when coughing or sneezing

How to treat:

If symptoms are mild over the counter decongestants, saline sprays, nasal irrigations and increasing fluids can help relieve symptoms of sinusitis.

If symptoms don’t improve after 10 days, contact your healthcare provider. You may be prescribed an antibiotic if it is determined to be bacterial in origin.

If sinusitis is recurring a visit to the ENT may be in order. Polyps or deviated septum may be the cause of recurrent infections. 

When to seek medical care:

If symptoms don’t go away after 10 days your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics if the infection is bacterial, along with prescription steroid sprays. Seek medical attention if facial pain or headache are severe, there is swelling around the eyes, or if symptoms seem to improve then get worse. 

Healthcare tip of the week 

Did you know that rinsing your sinuses out (called nasal lavage) with salt water was demonstrated to have an 8.5-fold reduction in Covid related hospitalizations and no fatalities compared to controls, according to a study released September 14,2022

Nasal lavage also works wonders for those suffering seasonal allergies by rinsing the irritant out of the nasal cavity. Many report symptom relief by performing the nasal lavage in the evening and upon awakening. 

Neti pots (see link for more information)are inexpensive and widely available and are a handy item to accomplish nasal lavage with. Caution: Use only purified water, not tap water in the neti pot. There have been rare cases of infection from water supply when tap water was used in the neti pot.

Gargling with salt water has similar benefits:

“A study released in September 2020 indicated that gargling with a saline-based solution can reduce viral load in COVID-19, and another released in 2021 suggested that saline works multiple ways to reduce cold symptoms related to infection with other coronaviruses and might work as well as a first-line intervention for COVID-19.“ (News Medical Life Sciences)

Pick up your Jase case now if you haven’t done so:

The Jase case contains several different antibiotics that can treat infectious diarrhea.

Infectious diarrhea is one of the most common waterborne illnesses facing the victims of Hurricane Ian in its aftermath.