Helpful Vitamin/Herbal Supplements for treating respiratory illnesses

People are always asking for something to take OTC to help treat or prevent colds and other respiratory viruses.

Virus vs Bacteria

Infections are due to a virus or a bacteria. There are many types of each. Depending on the type of infection (bacterial or viral) treatment will be different. Colds and the flu are due to viruses. Other sinus and respiratory infections can be caused by bacteria. If they are caused by bacteria, then you will need an antibiotic to treat it. These are only available as a prescription.

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This list is mainly help prevent respiratory infections. I have listed in order of the most important things on top and in decreasing order from there.

Foundational, every one should take a daily multivitamin (like a generic for Theragran-M). This helps provide vitamins and minerals that are missed in your diet.

Vitamin C - 1000 mg per day (or children 500mg per day --use chewable tablets). Doses greater than 1000 mg is eliminated via urine, and may cause diarrhea.

Nasal irrigation. These can reduce nasal congestion, clear mucus drainage, reduce sore throat, and cough. Used once a day or more often if needed. I like to recommend Xlear (or Xclear) Soothing and Moisturizing Nasal Wash with Xylitol. This has a good spray mechanism to clear the sinuses and moisturize them. Another option would be a Neti Pot Nasal Wash Kit). Again these wash the mucus away that traps allergens and virus/bacteria. It also moisturized the nasal sinus to help keep the mucosal healthy.

Echinacea might modestly decrease a cold's severity and duration in some people...but it doesn't prevent colds. Use at first signs of a cold. Don't use if you're allergic to ragweed.

Zinc lozenges might help decrease a cold's duration. But caution that zinc has a metallic taste and too much can lead to copper deficiency. Use at first signs of cold.

Vitamin D3 – 1000 units per day.

Probiotics like Culturelle – one capsule per day – probably only use through the cold season.

Elderberry might shorten flu symptoms by a few days. I recommend Sambucol if used.

I would also consider Omega 3 fatty acids - at least 1000 mg per day. These can help reduce inflammation.

I would avoid the following : Airborne, Oscillococcinum, Umcka ColdCare, astragalus, Asian ginseng, or garlic. There's no good evidence that they effective.

H1N1 Flu Vaccine - to get or not to get

As a pharmacist, health care professional, consumer, and father this question has to be answered. Here's my thoughts on the subject.

Exposure
Let's consider the H1N1 vaccine. The biggest question is: what's the risk of exposure for the person? For children we have to ask if they are around many other children, ie school, preschool, or daycare? For adults, the same applies, but usually relating to the work environment.

Right now 97-99% of flu cases are H1N1. Do you know any one whose had the "flu" this season? If so, you probably were exposed. As some studies have suggested, 60% of population will be exposed to H1N1 before the H1N1 Vaccine is available to all the public.

Risk from Vaccine
The H1N1 is being manufactured and given the same as the seasonal flu vaccine. So it would seem that the H1N1 is equally as safe as the seasonal. However, personally I think I would rather just wait and see how mass immunization goes before I get the vaccine.

Convenience
How convenient is the vaccine available for you or you family? It's not really convenient to take 4 children into the doctor's office to get shots that will hurt (they could get the Flumist nasal spray that won't hurt). But if you do this, you're back to exposure. Actually exposing all your children to the other patients who do have the flu. Is there a county health clinic offering it where you have to wait 3 hours to get vaccinated? Is that worth it?

Bottom Line
Personally, I'm not getting the H1N1 Vaccine even though I will be exposed to it, even though it should be safe (and I did get the seasonal vaccine), even though I can conveniently get vaccinated at work. I recognize it seems hypocritical after what I just said, but I just can't shake the unknown question of what side effects the vaccine may produce which will be seen with mass vaccination.

My 3 oldest children it either. Our 6-mos old is due for her shots the first week of November, so she'd be getting the others ones anyways. I still haven't decided for her yet.

If a young child has any respiratory problems like asthma, then I would recommend getting the H1N1 Vaccine. Other wise you may just want to watch and wait. I would recommend keeping a close eye for any symptoms (fever, soar throat, aches, chills) and taking them to the doctor if symptoms appear. If it's a young child, then I would treat with Tamiflu. If it's an adult or older child, you'd have to weigh the cost of the prescription vs the 1-2 day-shorter symptomatic period.

We all want what's best for ourselves and our families. I hope these thoughts might help you make your decision.