LIBRARY

This library contains easy-to-understand instructions about most health problems. This library is always open for you. Click on the logos or underlined links below to enter the websites.

Most respiratory infections do not need professional medical care so we recommend everyone with a respiratory infection to review this website. Most infections are viral and do not respond to antibiotics. Unnecessary anti-bacterial antibiotics can be harmful and lead to side effects, fungal infections, and antibiotic resistance.

If you get sick with cold / flu symptoms (and are generally healthy age 2-65 without severe symptoms such as persistent fever >100.4, difficulty breathing, severe fatigue, severe pain, dizziness, confusion, or vomiting), it is unlikely you will need professional medical care. If you have any of these symptoms, otherwise have any problems, or just want to see a doctor, please (call back to) schedule an appointment.

REST (limit school/work/exercise) so your body can put it's energy into healing. The main danger and discomfort of respiratory infection is dehydration. Your body needs more FLUIDS when you are sick. Fluids with sodium (salt) can help you retain more fluids. Drinks such as Pedialyte (for children), Gatorade, and meals such as soup are good for hydration. You need to be fever-free for 24 hours before you can go to work or on an airplane. Infections are usually spread through respiratory droplets or direct contact. Help others from catching your illness. If you have to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue or your elbow and keep your hands clean.

- avoid decongestants: they constrict blood vessels thus reducing blood flow to the nose and elevating blood pressure; they seem to work in the short-term, but long-term often cause rebound WORSE congestion when the effect wears off; read the labels carefully because most OTC "cold", "sinus", or "congestion" medicines contain decongestants (e.g. pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, neosynephrine), take a copy of this to the pharmacy and read the labels carefully or you will probably end up taking a decongestant

- avoid alcohol: present in many "nighttime medications", usually gives you longer sleep, but does not give you as much deep Rapid Eye Movement (REM) restful sleep, alcohol also lowers your immune system and reduces your ability to fight infection

- avoid dextromethorphan (unless you have a dry cough): this is a cough suppressant, not an expectorant, and can prevent mucous from coming out

HELPFUL Over-The-Counter Medicines for Respiratory Infection [avoid if allergic]

NAME	PURPOSE	USUAL ADULT DOSE
guaifenesin syrup	expectorant (loosens mucous)	100-400mg every 4 hours as needed
acetaminophen	pain +/or fever	500-1000mg every 6 hours as needed
saline (salt water) nasal spray	irrigation of nose and sinuses	few sprays each nostril as needed
loratidine	anti-histamine (reduces mucous production)	10mg daily as needed

Working it Out - a comic strip occasionally featuring the doctor in this clinic (our former patient who moved out of state is the talented cartoonist)

Call 2-1-1 for help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more. 2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referral.

(Preuss School 3750 Voigt Dr, La Jolla, www.tcoyd.org, 858.756.5683, $5 donation at door)

Wed 21 Mar: Finding Your Right Fitness Program (Advice from Exercise Physiologists + Exercise Demos, wear sporty outfit)

Wed 23 May 2012: What Drives You Crazy about Diabetes? (Overcoming Psychological Barriers)

Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, 9888 Genesee Ave, La Jolla, 7 PM - 815 PM, Tuesday 21 Feb 2012, FREE!

Stress, anxiety, overwork, poor nutrition, loneliness: The list of elements that can harm your heart and break your dreams can seem endless. Put the positive back into your heart and reboot your dreams with Mimi Guarneri, MD, a pioneer in integrative medicine. Dr. Guarneri will suggest ways to get your emotional, intellectual and spiritual heart in rhythm with your dreams-whether that is eating healthfully, learning how to improve your resiliency or taking the right supplements.

If you don't have prescription drug coverage, you can print a Rx card at the below website to save $.