Blog Category: Cold/Flu


What You Need to Know About Getting a Flu Shot in 2024

By Dr. J.E. Williams |

As of early fall 2024, flu activity is minimal across the US. But, if it worsens in the winter, are you protected if you had a flu shot in September? Is it too late to get vaccinated now, or is it better to wait to see how active this flu season gets in the fall?

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Natural Evidence-Based Self-Treatment for Colds and Flu

By Dr. J.E. Williams |

The 2023/2024 colds and flu season is just beginning. Cases are increasing, and hospitalizations are above the average baseline. What can you do to reduce your risk and shorten your sick time if you get infected? Do natural remedies work? For decades, I have recommended taking zinc and selenium and boosting vitamin C to prevent

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FLU, RSV, COVID Vaccine: Get the Shots or Not?

By Dr. J.E. Williams |

Once again, it’s fall respiratory virus infection season. Every day for the last few weeks, my patients ask about vaccination. Should I get the new COVID vaccine? These are the four main questions they want to know more about: They also want to know my personal experience. So, let’s start there. At the beginning of

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We’re Getting It All Wrong About Long COVID

By Dr. J.E. Williams |

Though we’re in the waning stage of more than three years into the pandemic, “long COVID” retains the stigma of a mystery disease. But is it a mystery? Or an ambiguous, complex syndrome not uncommon in other post-infectious conditions?  Long COVID is not an unexpected mystery disease—many other infections cause similar symptoms. Don’t be misinformed

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How To Get Enough Vitamin D3

By Dr. J.E. Williams |

Vitamin D3 supplementation is essential for those with COVID-19, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular conditions, bone metabolism disorders like osteoporosis, and everyone over 65 years old. Having an adequate vitamin D level also helps prevent seasonal colds and flu.  The best ways to get enough vitamin D are by getting outdoors more, including vitamin D-rich foods in

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How To Tell the Difference Between COVID and Seasonal Viruses

By Dr. J.E. Williams |

The flu season is just starting, and with COVID and seasonal viruses present, already there’s an increase in influenza activity. The dominant strain this year is influenza A, subtype H3N2v. It’s a variant (denoted by the small “v”) of the swine flu pandemic strain H1N1 of 2009. And it has the potential to cause severe

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12 Lessons to Learn for the Next Pandemic Stage

By Dr. J.E. Williams |

Why aren’t we any wiser about COVID prevention than we were in early 2020? One reason is that SARS-CoV-2 variants evolve fast. As pandemic conditions shift with vaccination and antivirals, the virus finds new ways to infect. Another is that bureaucratic incompetence got in the way.  The government and healthcare bungled the early response and

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Flurona: Update Your 2022 Flu Season Preparedness

By Dr. J.E. Williams |

Stay vigilant because of combination infection by the flu and SARS-CoV-2, which health experts call Flurona. It’s hard enough keeping up with the latest pandemic twists and turns. We also must deal with seasonal influenza outbreaks. I’ve written extensively on surviving pandemic influenza in my books Viral Immunity and Beating the Flu. Many immune-supportive protocols

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How To Navigate the Omicron Wave

By Dr. J.E. Williams |

Infectious disease experts caution us not to panic because Omicron is less harmful. We’re all tired of this pandemic, but it’s not time to become indifferent. Don’t think the Omicron variant is more contagious but less severe. That’s dangerously over-simplified thinking. Omicron is designated SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529 with the potential to cause serious disease and

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2021/2022 Fall and Winter Influenza Update

By Dr. J.E. Williams |

According to international influenza tracking sites, like FluNet and FluView, this year’s flu season infection rate is starting slow.  Check your state’s health department website for local outbreaks. For example, in Florida, it’s FLU REVIEW. However, that could change. Typically, January through March are peak influenza season, so keep up your guard in the months

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