All blog posts from Dr. Allott are provided for educational and informational purposes only. As Dr. Allott is also a licensed medical practitioner, we must make it clear that nothing on the blog is intended to constitute medical advice, consultation, recommendation, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are concerned about your health, please seek appropriate care in your area.

I'm sick. I'm staying home. When can I go back to work?

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What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Here is a link to the WA State Department of Health Recommendations as recommended on March 15, 2020.

Here are the main recommendations to note if you have a fever, cough, and or shortness of breath:

  • stay home

  • stay isolated from other people and animals in your home

  • wear a face mask when you are around other people and if going to a medical facility for care

  • avoid sharing everyday household items (glasses, utensils, beds)

  • wipe down high touch surfaces

  • if your symptoms get worse, be sure to seek medical attention - call your health care provider and ask to come in because you are having shortness of breath or you cough or fever is worse.

  • call 911 if it’s an emergency

  • the WA DOH recommends to only discontinue isolation 72 hours after the fever is gone and symptoms get better. This is three full days without symptoms. The reason for this is that if you do have COVID-19, you can still carry and spread the disease even without symptoms.

Testing is now available for people with fever, shortness of breath, and coughs. You must go to a physician's office to be tested. Your physician can not just send you to the lab.

Home Treatments for Colds and Flus

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In the January Connectors Group we discussed how to prevent colds and flus and how to feel better quicker if you do get sick.

Winter is the season of stuffy noses, aching muscles, coughs and headaches. Common daily interactions, no matter how careful we are, lead to sharing viruses and bacteria. These invaders slow us down and can even wipe us out.  After the Connectors Group, Natasha and I recorded a podcast on the same topic. The game changers for me when I am treating my own colds are hot baths and rest. 

This accompanying free 4-page handout for you covers:

  • 6 simple steps to feeling better quicker,
  • 5 steps for prevention,
  • A worksheet for a Plan to Get Better Faster, and
  • Guidelines for when to see a Doctor and how to get the most out of that visit.

Remember to share it with the people in your life to help them feel better. 

In the the podcast,  I recommend some supplements (in addition to rest and hot baths) that help in preventing colds and flus:

  • Carlson's 2000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily for adults and 400IU/day for children 6 years old or up to 140 pounds of weight. Vitamin D boosts the immune system and helps prevent autoimmune diseases
  • Emergen-C is a great way to get 1000 mg of Vitamin C as a drink mix or chewables
  • Airborne, or similar products, can also help boost the immune system and prevent a cold