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How to Keep Respiratory Illnesses at Bay

Preventing flu, colds, and other airborne infections starts with two key pillars:

  1. Good Hygiene – Wash your hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid close contact with sick people.
  2. Immune‑Boosting Nutrition – Follow a balanced diet and take the supplements we recommend to give your immune system the support it needs.

Important Reminder
• If these preventive steps aren’t enough, contact your licensed healthcare provider right away.
• In any emergency, call 911 without hesitation.
• Mental health matters too – reach out to a qualified mental‑health professional if you need support.

What Our Clinic Does (and Doesn’t) Do

  • We don’t treat specific germs in a Western sense – bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
  • Our approach: Using Traditional Medicine (TM) pattern diagnosis, we evaluate your overall constitution and work to strengthen your immune system as a whole with the use herbal and naturopathic medications that are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal or anti-parasitic (based on need).
  • COVID‑19:
    • We are not a COVID‑19 testing site.
    • We do not provide direct treatment for COVID‑19.
    • For testing, diagnosis, or official public‑health guidance, please contact your local health department or refer to the CDC.

What I’m Taking Right Now (and Why)

I get the question a lot: “What supplements are you using?” Here’s a quick rundown of the four things I’m currently adding to my routine, along with the evidence behind each one.

  1. Vitamin D + K – Regular vitamin D intake has been shown to reduce the risk of catching a cold or the flu. (Source: Harvard Gazette)
  2. Vitamin C (megadose) – In a clinical trial, participants who took a high‑dose of vitamin C experienced an 85 % drop in flu‑ and cold‑like symptoms compared with the placebo group. (Source: PubMed)
  3. Immune‑Boost Oral Spray – A daily spray that acts as a comprehensive cleanser, raising antioxidant levels, sharpening neurological function, and giving the immune system an extra push. (Source: Results RNA)
  4. TCM Herbal Rx (Immune +) – A traditional Chinese‑medicine formula specifically designed to strengthen overall immunity. (Source: Clinical Manual of Oriental Medicine: An Integrative Approach (3rd ed., 2016, Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine)

Safety first: Before you add any new supplement, diet change, or herbal prescription, check with your primary care provider, pharmacist, or another trusted healthcare professional to make sure there are no contraindications for your individual health situation.

Learn More: how to use a Humidifier with H202 for a Lung clearing

Contact our office if you would like for us to put together an Immune Boosting kit for you!

click here for our hot toddy recipe and gargle for sore throats

Our Flu‑Season Safety Protocol

1️⃣ Hand‑ and Phone‑Sanitizing at Check‑In*
When you arrive, we ask you to wipe down your hands and any mobile devices with an EPA‑registered sanitizer before stepping into the treatment area.

2️⃣ Screening for Flu‑Like Symptoms

  • Temperature check as soon as you walk in.
  • If you show any flu‑related signs, we’ll either:

3️⃣ Rigorous Surface Disinfection
All high‑touch surfaces are cleaned several times a day with *Force of Nature, an EPA‑registered disinfectant that kills ≥ 99.9 % of bacteria and viruses (Staph, MRSA, Norovirus, Influenza A, Salmonella, Listeria, etc.). It meets CDC guidelines for high‑traffic areas and is approved for use in hospitals, schools, daycares, veterinary clinics, restaurants, gyms, and more.

4️⃣ Optimized Air Quality

  • HEPA‑rated air purifiers run continuously, paired with humidifiers that keep humidity at the ideal 40‑60 %. This combination cuts down airborne contaminants.
  • Treatment rooms are staggered and fully aired out between patients to further limit exposure. (Guidelines from Yale University on humidifier usage.)

By pairing thorough hygiene practices, robust disinfection, symptom screening, and superior indoor‑air management, we aim to keep both patients and staff safe throughout the flu season.

Consider an immune boosting diet

The key to a successful immune system diet is to regulate blood glucose levels with frequent protein (every 2-3 hours), reduce or remove refined sugars (that we know suppress the immune system) and emphasize the intake of citrus fruits and nutrient rich dark green vegetables. Visit the Fullscript blog to learn more about top 20 foods for immune health.

Please contact us if you have a persistent cough if you need a Rx (link).   Also consider in-office Nebulizer (link) or Auricular Ozone (link) Treatments when needed.   

Ready to take the next step?: Easily book your appointment in just a few clicks—choose the time that works best for you below!
Disclaimer & Legal Notice:

All information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never self-prescribe. Call 911 for a medical emergency. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any supplement, medication, diet, or exercise routine, especially if you have a health condition, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication. The services, products, and information shared have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease outside the scope of Oriental Medicine. Patrick W. Hart Jr., “Dr. Skip,” O.M.D., is a licensed Oriental Medicine Physician (WV Board of Acupuncture) specializing in Holistic Functional Wellness. All content is copyright protected and may not be reproduced without permission.