Three simple options to know about during cold and flu season By Cammy Benton, MD | Benton Integrative Medicine What if one of the easiest ways to help protect yourself from viruses starts with your nose? When we breathe, viruses can enter through our nose and infect the cells inside. That's why researchers are studying nasal sprays as another way to help protect us from getting sick. Three options are getting attention: saline (salt water), iodine nasal spray, and azelastine (Astepro). Let's look at what the research shows. 1. Saline Nasal Spray: Simple Salt Water Saline helps wash mucus, dust, and other particles out of your nose. It's inexpensive, easy to find, and generally safe for regular use. In a large study involving nearly 14,000 adults, people assigned to use saline nasal spray had fewer days of respiratory illness than those receiving usual care. Usual care: about 22 sick days over one year Saline spray: about 18 sick days That's about 4 fewer sick days per year! Another study found that children using saltwater nose drops after getting sick recovered about two days sooner. My take: Saline is a reasonable first choice for keeping your nose moist and comfortable, especially when traveling or spending time in dry air. It may also help reduce the burden of respiratory illness. We still don't know whether using it right before a flight or crowded event actually prevents infection. 2. Iodine Nasal Spray: A Germ-Fighting Option Iodine has been used to kill germs for many years. A special form called povidone-iodine can kill certain viruses in laboratory studies. A 2025 study followed 260 adults who already had colds. Researchers compared a 0.5% iodine nasal spray with saline. People using iodine generally reported less severe symptoms. However, the study's main result was not statistically significant. Some smaller groups, especially people who started treatment within 24 hours, appeared to benefit more. My take: Iodine nasal sprays are interesting, especially for early illness, but we don't yet have strong proof that they prevent infections during travel or crowded events. Only products specifically made for nasal use should be considered. Regular Betadine skin antiseptic should never be sprayed into the nose. Iodine nasal products also need extra caution in people with thyroid disease, during pregnancy, and with repeated use. 3. Azelastine (Astepro): The Surprising Allergy Spray This one really caught my attention! Azelastine is an antihistamine nasal spray that has been used for allergies for decades. But researchers are finding that it may also help prevent some viral infections. In a 2025 study of 450 adults: COVID-19 infections: Azelastine: 2.2% Placebo: 6.7% That's about a 67% lower relative risk of COVID-19! Common cold infections caused by rhinovirus: Azelastine: 1.8% Placebo: 6.3% Researchers have also found that azelastine may help lower the amount of COVID-19 virus in the nose after infection. My take: Of these three options, azelastine has the most direct clinical trial evidence for preventing COVID-19. However, the study was relatively small, and we need larger studies to confirm the results. The study used a 0.1% spray three times daily for eight weeks. That's different from the over-the-counter Astepro Allergy 0.15% product and its labeled directions. Azelastine is not FDA-approved for preventing viral infections. Which Nasal Spray Should You Choose? Nasal spray What the research suggests Saline May reduce sick days and help with cold symptoms Povidone-iodine Kills viruses in the lab; possible benefits early in a cold Azelastine Promising human evidence for COVID-19 prevention and fewer rhinovirus infections These sprays have not been directly compared with each other in one prevention study, so we cannot say which works best. When Might Nasal Sprays Be Helpful? I especially think about nasal care during times when we're around more people and more germs: Before and after airplane travel During cold and flu season When attending crowded events When working in schools, medical offices, or busy buildings When someone in the household is sick For most people, plain saline is a practical option to consider during these situations. It can help keep nasal passages moist and clear mucus. For people interested in azelastine or iodine nasal sprays specifically for virus prevention, I recommend discussing the evidence and safety with their healthcare provider first. We do not yet have a proven nasal spray routine for flights, crowds, or workplace exposure. These sprays should be considered possible added tools, not replacements for clean indoor air, handwashing, staying home when sick, or a well-fitting mask in higher-risk settings. A Final Thought As an integrative physician, I love finding simple, affordable ways to support our health. Sometimes the most exciting discoveries come from things we've used for years. Nasal sprays may become another helpful tool for preventing respiratory infections. The research is promising, especially for azelastine, but there is still more to learn. The goal isn't to live in fear of germs. It's to understand our options and make informed choices to protect our health. Dr. Cammy Benton Benton Integrative Medicine Research References Azelastine for COVID-19 Prevention — JAMA Internal Medicine, 2025 Saline Nasal Spray and Respiratory Illness — Large Randomized Trial and Follow-Up Povidone-Iodine Nasal Spray for the Common Cold — 2025 Clinical Trial Saltwater Nose Drops in Children — ELVIS-Kids Trial Povidone-Iodine Nasal Safety Review This article is for education and does not replace personal medical advice. Nasal sprays are not FDA-approved for viral prevention, and results from early studies should not be considered guarantees of protection.

Shingles: Beyond Valtrex - A Terrain-First Approach to Acute Pain and Prevention Shingles is the terrifying conversation starter at any gathering of older folks—though increasingly, younger people are getting it too. The real fear? That relentless, life-altering chronic pain called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which can shadow patients for months or years, even after the rash clears. The standard pharmaceutical answer is the shingles vaccine, but I've had two patients hospitalized from vaccine complications and several more develop shingles after vaccination. So I've chosen acute, targeted treatment that actually works, and in my experience, works better than Valtrex alone. The good news: there's a smarter way to handle shingles pain from the moment it ignites.Why Shingles Hurt So Much - The Nervous System Story Varicella-zoster virus doesn't just sit on your skin. It invades nerve ganglia and triggers a cascade of inflammation in nerve fibers. This isn't simple infection. It's your nervous system in acute distress, flooding the area with inflammatory mediators and neuropeptides. The burning, icy-cold, searing quality people describe? That's your nervous system screaming. This is why speed matters. Treating early, within the first 72 hours, interrupts this cascade and dramatically reduces the risk of chronic pain. My Acute Shingles Protocol: What Actually Works Ten years ago, I had two episodes of shingles. Yes, reactivation happens. The first hit at work - unusual at 41 years old, driven by acute work stress. Burning, icy pain radiating down the right side of my scalp. Within hours, using the protocol below, symptoms diminished 90% in two days. The second episode, triggered by sunburn during a family cruise, resolved completely within three hours. Here's what I use, adapted from naturopathic wisdom and informed by antiviral biology: Immediate (First 48-72 Hours) Vitamin C: 1000 mg four to five times daily - supports immune activation and collagen integrity in nerve sheaths Vitamin D: 20,000-100,000 IU daily for 7 days (adults: 100,000 IU) - immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory Vitamin A: 15,000 IU once to twice daily for 2-3 days - epithelial healing and immune coordination L-Lysine: 1-2 capsules four to five times daily - competes with arginine, slows viral replication Zinc: 25-30 mg daily for 7-10 days - essential for T-cell function and antiviral response Selenium: 200 mcg daily - glutathione peroxidase cofactor, protects nerve tissue from oxidative damage Pain-Specific Support Topical: Capsaicin cream (0.075%) applied to affected skin; heat paradoxically blocks pain signals via TRPV1 receptors. Start cautiously; builds tolerance. Calendula or St. John's Wort oil with comfrey root - traditional nerve-soothing botanicals with mild antimicrobial properties Lidocaine patches (5%) if pain is severe; safe temporary relief without systemic absorption Internal Anti-Inflammatory: Curcumin/turmeric: 500-1000 mg twice daily - blocks NF-κB inflammatory pathway, reduces nerve sensitization Quercetin: 500 mg twice daily - mast cell stabilizer, reduces histamine-driven inflammation Ginger extract: 500 mg twice daily - inhibits prostaglandin synthesis Omega-3 fatty acids: 2-3 g daily - membrane stabilization, pro-resolving mediators B-Complex Support: B12: 1000 mcg daily (sublingual methylcobalamin preferred) - nerve regeneration and myelin support B6 (pyridoxal-5-phosphate): 50 mg twice daily - neurotransmitter synthesis and nerve repair Folate: 800 mcg daily - methylation support and immune function Homeopathic Remedies for Shingles Pain These work best when prescribed constitutionally, but useful acute options: Rhus Tox 30C - classic for burning, restless zoster pain that improves with heat and motion; worse at night Mezereum 30C - intense, burning pain; vesicles and crusting; for trigeminal (facial) or thoracic shingles Ranunculus Bulbosus 30C - sharp, burning blisters; especially trunk involvement; neuralgia lingers Sulphur 30C - when inflammation is slow to resolve; itching dominates; constitutional remedy Sepia 30C - for older women; exhaustion with herpes; hormonal component Dose: 3-5 pellets three to four times daily for first 48-72 hours, then reduce frequency as pain diminishes. Nervous System Regulation - The Missing Piece Pain perception lives in the brain, not just the nerve. Acute stress amplifies suffering. I always pair physical remedies with nervous system work: Magnesium glycinate: 400-600 mg daily - calms excitatory neurotransmitters, reduces pain amplification GABA or L-theanine: for acute anxiety around pain Vagal work: slow breathing (4-count in, 6-count out), alternate nostril breathing, gentle movement - activate parasympathetic tone Cold/warm contrast: at safe distance from rash - modulates spinal pain gates Red light therapy: 600-1000 nm wavelengths - reduces inflammation at tissue level, promotes mitochondrial healing Why I Don't Lean on the Vaccine The shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is aggressively marketed, but the evidence for my hesitancy is real: vaccine-strain shingles, severe myalgia, and rare but serious neurological events. My clinical observation is that terrain-first prevention works. If someone's immune terrain is robust - sleep adequate, stress managed, nutrient status optimized, gut integrity sound - shingles is less likely, and if it hits, recovery is faster. Prevention: Build Your Immune Terrain Maintain vitamin D at 50-80 ng/mL year-round Sleep: non-negotiable; reactivation clusters with sleep debt Stress management: vagal tone, nervous system regulation, somatic practice - stress is the trigger Zinc and selenium baseline status; deficiency invites reactivation Gut integrity: if your microbiome is compromised, immune coordination fails Consider IV vitamin C (high-dose, 25-50 g) for immunocompromised patients or recurrent shingles Neural therapy: can address segmental inflammation if shingles recurs in the same location When to Use Valtrex - And When Not To Valtrex (acyclovir) does work, especially if started within 48 hours. I offer it alongside natural options. My patients increasingly choose the supplement protocol alone, and I've had near-zero failures this year - something I couldn't say when Valtrex was my only tool. The one non-negotiable: if shingles appears on your nose, forehead, or scalp, see an ophthalmologist immediately. Corneal involvement is rare but vision-altering. The Terrain-First Reality Shingles isn't just bad luck. It's your nervous system and immune system telling you something - usually stress, depleted reserves, or inflammatory conditions simmering beneath the surface. Treat the acute episode aggressively and fast. But then, ask deeper: Why now? What's the terrain asking you to address? That second question prevents recurrence and builds genuine resilience.

For the Pro side, please visit the https://www.cdc.gov/flu/ It is important to review both sets of data to make an informed decision. MY PATIENT INFO SHEET FOR THE FLU VACCINE FOR INFORMED CONSENT For the Pro side, please review the CDC's data at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/. The references below are intentionally curated to offer an alternative to that narrative — please review both sources before making a decision. 1. Jefferson T, Di Pietrantonj C, Rivetti A, Bawazeer GA, Al Ansary LA, et al. Influenza vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy adults. Cochrane Collaboration. - Collaboration report included 40 clinical trial studies of more than 70,000 people. In a perfectly matched year, it showed up to 80% benefit. - But since strains don't often match perfectly, effectiveness ranged from 50% down to as low as 30%. So just as many people theoretically benefited as didn't on an average year. - It showed modest days lost from work with the vaccine, and NO evidence was found to decrease hospitalization or complication rates. - Another analysis put it this way: when the vaccine matched the flu strain, 4 percent who weren't vaccinated got the flu, versus 1 percent of vaccinated people — a difference of 3 percent. When the vaccine didn't match the strain, 2 percent of unvaccinated people got the flu versus 1 percent of vaccinated — a difference of 1 percent. - The Cochrane Collaboration's 2010, 2014, and 2018 meta-analyses of published influenza vaccine studies found the influenza vaccination has no effect on hospitalization, and no evidence flu vaccines prevent viral transmission or complications. The Cochrane researchers concluded the scientific evidence seems to discourage the utilization of vaccination against influenza in healthy adults as a routine public health measure (Cochrane Library, CD001269.pub4, page 22). 2. Kelley NS, Manske JM, Ballering KS, Leighton TR, Moore KA. The Compelling Need for Game-Changing Influenza Vaccines: An analysis of the influenza vaccine enterprise and recommendations for the future. Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy, October 2012. - Removing more of the "flawed" studies, this analysis found 59% effectiveness in a perfectly matched year for ages 18-64. - No benefit was seen in the elderly (over 65) or under 18 in other studies. - The paper suggests the flu vaccine is not ideal, but due to lack of financial incentive, more beneficial vaccines are not likely to be found. 3. Cowling BJ, Fang VJ, Nishiura H, et al. Increased Risk of Noninfluenza Respiratory Virus Infections Associated With Receipt of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;54(12):1778-1783. - TIV (trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine) recipients had a higher risk of confirmed non-influenza respiratory virus infection (RR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.19-10.1). - The majority of non-influenza respiratory virus detections were rhinoviruses and coxsackie/echoviruses, and the increased risk among TIV recipients was also statistically significant for these viruses. 4. Mina MJ, McCullers JA, Klugman KP. Live attenuated influenza vaccine enhances colonization of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus in mice. mBio. 2014;5(1). doi:10.1128/mBio.01040-13 - The potent and often lethal effects of an antecedent influenza virus infection on secondary bacterial disease have been reported. - Viral replication induced epithelial and mucosal degradation, and the ensuing innate immune response yielded diminished capacity to avert secondary bacterial infections. - Recent clinical and experimental data suggest that influenza virus infection may exert its influence beginning in the upper respiratory tract by enhancing susceptibility to bacterial colonization. 6. Jefferson T, Rivetti A, Di Pietrantonj C, Demicheli V. Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(8):CD004879. - 75 worldwide studies, including 17 randomized trials — in children older than 2, the inactivated influenza vaccine is about 36% effective. - Under age 2, effectiveness was equal to placebo; no evidence of reduced mortality, hospital admissions, serious complications, or community transmission. 7. Jefferson T, Smith S, Demicheli V, et al. Assessment of the efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines in healthy children: systematic review. Lancet. 2005;365(9461):773-780. - No evidence of reduced mortality, admissions, complications, or decreased community transmission of influenza. 8. Joshi AY, Iyer VN, Hartz MF, Patel AM, Li JT. Effectiveness of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in influenza-related hospitalization in children: a case-control study. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2012;33(2):e23-27. - Study of children 6 months to 18 years, 1999-2007. - Children vaccinated against influenza were three times more likely to be hospitalized for influenza-related complications than unvaccinated children (OR=3.67). - Asthmatic children who received the influenza vaccine were also more likely to be hospitalized than those who did not. Severity of asthma did not affect the outcome. 9. Seasonal Influenza and Vaccine Herd Effect. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4083064 - Observational study, 1968-2001, showed no decreased mortality rate with increasing vaccination coverage from 15% to 65%. 10. Thomas RE, Jefferson T, Lasserson TJ. Influenza vaccination for healthcare workers who care for people aged 60 or older living in long-term care institutions. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(7):CD005187. - No evidence to support that vaccinating healthcare workers in long-term care facilities affected laboratory-proven influenza or complications (pneumonia, hospitalization, or death due to pneumonia) in residents over age 60. 11. Doshi P. Influenza: marketing vaccine by marketing disease. BMJ. 2013;346:f3037. doi:10.1136/bmj.f3037 12. Doshi P. Are US flu death figures more PR than science? BMJ. 2005;331(7529):1412. doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7529.1412 - Documents that public health authorities' aggressive promotion of the influenza vaccine is not supported by the medical literature and fails to acknowledge serious vaccine risks — e.g., contrary to widely cited claims, only 16% of tested respiratory specimens are positive for influenza, and serious vaccine adverse events are well documented internationally. 13. Carrat F, Lavenu A, Cauchemez S, Deleger S. Repeated influenza vaccination of healthy children and adults: borrow now, pay later? Epidemiol Infect. 2006;134:63-70. - Shows that repeated influenza vaccination at a younger age substantially increases the risk of influenza at older age. 14. Skowronski DM, De Serres G, Crowcroft NS, et al. Association between the 2008-09 seasonal influenza vaccine and pandemic H1N1 illness during Spring-Summer 2009: four observational studies from Canada. PLoS Med. 2010;7(4):e1000258. - Recipients of the influenza vaccine had significantly increased risk of the H1N1 virus compared to those who didn't receive it. - Recipients had increased need for medical attention due to the H1N1 virus. 15. BMJ. 1998;316(7149). doi:10.1136/bmj.316.7149.3a. http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/316/7137/S2-7137 - "In adjusted models, we observed 6.3 (95% CI 1.9-21.5) times more aerosol shedding among cases with vaccination in the current and previous season compared with having no vaccination in those two seasons." 16. Study: Prior-year vaccination cut flu vaccine effects, 2014-15. CIDRAP. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2016/04/study-prior-year-vaccination-cut-flu-vaccine-effects-2014-15 - Prior-year vaccination cut the current year's efficacy of the flu vaccine. 17. Study: getting flu shot 2 years in a row may lower protection. CIDRAP, 2013. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2013/03/study-getting-flu-shot-2-years-row-may-lower-protection - "The vaccine was found to be 62% effective in those who hadn't been vaccinated the previous year... In contrast, those who had been vaccinated 2 years in a row got no significant protection." 18. Children Who Get Flu Vaccine Have Three Times Risk Of Hospitalization For Flu, study suggests. American Thoracic Society, May 2009. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519172045.htm - The inactivated flu vaccine does not appear to be effective in preventing influenza-related hospitalizations in children, especially those with asthma. Children who get the flu vaccine are more at risk for hospitalization than peers who do not, according to this research. The findings raise questions about vaccine efficacy but do not implicate the vaccine as a direct cause of hospitalization, according to researchers. 19. Vaccine-Induced Anti-HA2 Antibodies Promote Virus Fusion and Enhance Influenza Virus Respiratory Disease. Sci Transl Med. 2013;5(200):200ra114. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3006366 - Pigs vaccinated against one strain of influenza were worse off if subsequently infected by a related strain. 20. Joshi AY, Iyer VN, Hartz MF, Patel AM, Li JT. Effectiveness of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in influenza-related hospitalization in children: a case-control study. - TIV did not provide any protection against hospitalization in pediatric subjects, especially children with asthma. A threefold increased risk of hospitalization was found in subjects who did receive the TIV vaccine. 21. Influenza vaccines seem to be modifying influenza into a dangerous dengue-like disease. www.bmj.com/content/360/bmj.k1378/rr-15 22. Death rates due to actual positive flu tests average under 1,000 per year in over 300,000,000 people, per CDC National Vital Statistics Reports. - The 30,000-50,000 death figures commonly reported in media are due to flu AND pneumonia combined (all-cause pneumonia, including from HIV, COPD, elderly patients, cancer, etc.). - Pediatric flu deaths are reportable and range from 60-120 annually. Adult flu deaths are not individually reportable but are obtained via death certificates, which allows estimation to range widely. 23. Adverse reaction reporting is flawed due to reporter bias. - Standard medical training teaches that any significant flu-like illness following vaccination is likely coincidence or would have been worse without the vaccine. - Physicians are not trained to recognize serum sickness and are often too busy to report. (Reference: Miller's Review of Critical Vaccine Studies.) 24. Nanri A, Nakamoto K, Sakamoto N, Imai T, Akter S, Nonaka D, Mizoue T. Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with influenza in a case-control study nested in a cohort of Japanese employees. Clin Nutr. 2017;36(5):1288-1293. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.08.016 - Lower influenza risk associated with vitamin D sufficiency among unvaccinated participants warrants further investigation. 25. Roos R. Study: prior-year vaccination cut flu vaccine effects in 2014-15. CIDRAP News. 26. Smith DJ, Forrest S, Ackley DH, Perelson AS. Variable efficacy of repeated annual influenza vaccination. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999;96:14001-14006. 27. Skowronski DM, De Serres G, et al. Role of egg-adaptation mutations in low influenza A(H3N2) vaccine effectiveness during the 2012-2013 season. Clin Infect Dis. 2018. doi:10.1093/cid/ciy350 - Using a case-control design and data from Canada's Sentinel Practitioner Surveillance Network for 2014-2015, participants who received the 2014-2015 vaccine without vaccination the year before had significant protection against influenza A(H3N2), but those who had received the identical 2013-2014 vaccine the previous year had no increased protection. Those vaccinated three years in a row had an increased risk of contracting influenza compared with unvaccinated participants. 28. Systemic autoimmunity appears to be a consequence of over-stimulating the host's immune system through repeated immunization. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0008382 29. The Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28741088 30. Subgroup analysis demonstrates that immunosuppressive therapies and non-adjuvanted vaccines lead to less immunogenicity in humoral response in flu-vaccinated SLE (lupus) patients. 31. Bodewes R, Fraaij PLA, Geelhoed-Mieras MM, et al. Annual vaccination against influenza virus hampers development of virus-specific CD8+ T cell immunity in children. J Virol. 2011;85(22):11995-12000. doi:10.1128/JVI.05213-11 - Results indicate that annual influenza vaccination is effective against seasonal influenza but hampers the development of virus-specific CD8+ T cell responses. 32. Armstrong PK, Dowse GK, Effler PV, et al. Epidemiological study of severe febrile reactions in young children in Western Australia caused by a 2010 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. BMJ Open. 2011;1(1):e000016. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2010-000016 - "Children aged 4 years and under who had received TIV from one vaccine manufacturer (CSL Biotherapies) had a 200-fold higher rate of febrile convulsions than the only reliable published estimate..." 33. "With universal vaccination, 97% of influenza cases will occur in vaccinated workers who will not be masked. Thus, masking unvaccinated workers is most likely punitive and coercive rather than a well-reasoned strategy for reducing transmission in the healthcare setting." https://academic.oup.com/ofid/article/6/4/ofy214/5427979 34. The four cluster-randomized controlled trials underpinning policies of enforced healthcare worker influenza vaccination attribute implausibly large reductions in patient risk to HCW vaccination, casting doubt on their validity. The HCW-attributable risk and vaccine-preventable fraction remain unknown. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0163586 35. Study explains why H1N1 flu can cause narcolepsy. https://sciencenordic.com/denmark-diseases-genetics/study-explains-why-h1n1-flu-can-cause-narcolepsy/1394775 - If a person's immune system contains the cells identified as culprits behind narcolepsy and comes into contact with either H1N1 or the vaccine against H1N1, the immune response can activate and narcolepsy can develop. 36. What, in Fact, Is the Evidence That Vaccinating Healthcare Workers Against Seasonal Influenza Protects Their Patients? A Critical Review. Int J Family Med. 2012;2012:205464. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3502850/ - "The arguments for uniform healthcare worker influenza vaccination are not supported by existing literature. The decision whether to get vaccinated should, except possibly in extreme situations, be that of the individual healthcare worker, without legal, institutional, or peer coercion." 37. Rikin S, et al. Assessment of temporally-related acute respiratory illness following influenza vaccination. Vaccine. 2018;36:1958-1964. - Among children, there was an increase in the hazard of acute respiratory illness caused by non-influenza respiratory pathogens post-influenza vaccination compared to unvaccinated children during the same period. 38. Kelly H, Jacoby P, Dixon GA, et al. Vaccine effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed influenza in healthy young children: a case-control study. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2011;30(2):107-111. - When the actual study data is examined, children with influenza vaccination showed a higher rate of non-influenza viral lung infections, by 55%. 39. Dierig A, Heron LG, Lambert SB, et al. Epidemiology of respiratory viral infections in children enrolled in a study of influenza vaccine effectiveness. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4181477/pdf/irv0008-0293.pdf - "We did, however, unexpectedly find that non-influenza ILI occurred about 1.6 times more commonly in children vaccinated with one or two doses of the influenza vaccine than in unvaccinated children." 40. Christian LM. Inflammatory responses to trivalent influenza virus vaccine among pregnant women. - Trivalent influenza virus vaccination elicits a measurable inflammatory response among pregnant women. As adverse perinatal outcomes including preeclampsia and preterm birth have an inflammatory component, a tendency toward greater inflammatory responding to immune triggers may predict risk of adverse outcomes. 41. Lanza GA, Barone L, Scalone G, et al. Inflammation-related effects of adjuvant influenza A vaccination on platelet activation and cardiac autonomic function. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20964738/ - Influenza A vaccine induced platelet activation and sympathovagal imbalance toward adrenergic predominance, together with an inflammatory reaction. The vaccine-related platelet activation and cardiac autonomic dysfunction may transiently increase the risk of cardiovascular events. 42. Khurana S, et al. Vaccine-induced anti-HA2 antibodies promote virus fusion and enhance influenza virus respiratory disease. Sci Transl Med. 2013;5(200):200ra114. - Pigs vaccinated with whole inactivated H1N2 influenza virus had enhanced pneumonia and disease after infection with another strain, pH1N1. Immune sera from H1N2-vaccinated pigs contained high titers of cross-reactive hemagglutinin antibodies that enhanced pH1N1 infection in cell culture by promoting virus membrane fusion, correlating with lung pathology. 43. Trotta F, et al. Evaluation of safety of A/H1N1 pandemic vaccination during pregnancy: cohort study. BMJ. 2014;348:g3361. - A limited increase in the prevalence of gestational diabetes (1.26, 1.04-1.53) and eclampsia (1.19, 1.04-1.39) was seen in vaccinated women. Both are related to inflammation and immune dysregulation, making a connection to immune stimulation from the flu vaccine plausible. 45. Effectiveness of influenza vaccine during pregnancy in preventing hospitalizations and outpatient visits for respiratory illness in pregnant women and their infants. Am J Perinatol. 2004;21(6):333-339. - Nearly 50,000 pregnant women over five flu seasons found the rate of influenza-like illness in vaccinated women was identical to the rate in unvaccinated women, with no difference in outpatient visit risk. Hospital admissions were rare in both groups and no women died of respiratory illness during pregnancy. Infants born to vaccinated women had the same risk for influenza or pneumonia admissions as infants born to unvaccinated women. 46. France EK, et al. Impact of maternal influenza vaccination during pregnancy on the incidence of acute respiratory illness visits among infants. December 2006. - Unable to demonstrate that maternal influenza vaccination reduces respiratory illness visit rates among infants. 47. Original Antigenic Sin. http://vaccinepapers.org/influenza-vaccine-immune-suppression/ - A poorly-matched influenza vaccine may cause illness (and increase risk of influenza illness) via original antigenic sin (OAS) — a well-established immunological phenomenon in which the immune system responds to a second infection as though it were the first, producing a defective and delayed response. By receiving an influenza vaccine poorly matched to circulating strains, the immune system may be improperly trained, which may be worse than no training at all. 48. Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, CDC, December 11, 2015. Only 1.2% of 102,675 respiratory specimens from Oct 4-Nov 28 tested positive for influenza viruses. 49. Cumulative data (April 2, 2016) showed a range around the country from 15.1%-22%. - Of the $282 million the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) paid out in FY2017 for vaccine injuries and death, roughly $188 million was for influenza vaccine injuries and deaths. Influenza vaccines make up about 42% of administered vaccines but 57% of compensated vaccine petitions (2006-2016). Source: NVICP Data & Statistics, HRSA. 50. Skowronski DM, et al. Interim estimates of 2014/15 vaccine effectiveness against influenza A(H3N2) from Canada's Sentinel Physician Surveillance Network. Euro Surveill. 2015;20(4). - A 2015 study found influenza vaccines in Canada had a -8% effectiveness rate (negative eight percent) and recommended "adjunct protective measures... to minimize morbidity and mortality." 51. Ng S, et al. Characteristics of vaccine failures in a randomized placebo-controlled trial of inactivated influenza vaccine in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2014;33(2):e63-66. - TIV was not observed to ameliorate clinical symptoms or viral shedding among vaccine failures compared with infected placebo recipients. - Companion Cochrane review (Demicheli V, Jefferson T, Ferroni E, Rivetti A, Di Pietrantonj C, Feb 2018): 52 clinical trials of over 80,000 adults. Impact of bias could not be determined for about 70% of included studies due to insufficient reporting; around 15% were well-designed and conducted. Injected influenza vaccines probably have a small protective effect against influenza and influenza-like illness (moderate-certainty evidence): 71 people would need to be vaccinated to avoid one influenza case, and 29 to avoid one case of influenza-like illness. Vaccination may have little or no appreciable effect on hospitalizations (low-certainty evidence) or working days lost. 52. Anderson ML, Dobkin C, Gorry D. The effect of influenza vaccination for the elderly on hospitalization and mortality: an observational study with a regression discontinuity design. Ann Intern Med. 2020;172(7):445-452. doi:10.7326/M19-3075 - "No evidence indicated that vaccination reduced hospitalizations or mortality among elderly persons. The estimates were precise enough to rule out results from many previous studies." 53. Phone conversation with a CDC Medical Officer, Epidemiology and Prevention Branch, Influenza Division, NCIRD. Agreed with the information compiled here and stated this is the best available data. Due to lack of evidence, the CDC does not officially endorse flu vaccine mandates. Also acknowledged that due to changing viral strains and imperfect vaccine matching, we will likely never have definitive studies. 54. Flu vaccine efficacy ranges from 10-60%, but is usually on the lower end. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/past-seasons-estimates.html - Informed consent requires a formal opting in, never a formal opting out, and must always be voluntary and free of institutional or government interference, coercion, cost, or penalty. The Nuremberg Code, the Helsinki Declaration, and the 2005 Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights support the right to informed consent. Vaccine mandates raise questions about bodily autonomy and self-determination. Vaccination is an invasive medical procedure delivering complex biochemical compounds by injection, as documented in package inserts. 55. Positive association between COVID-19 deaths and influenza vaccination rates in people 65+, with significant regional variation globally. Further exploration was called for. https://peerj.com/articles/10112/ 56. Vaccine-derived virus interference was significantly associated with coronavirus and human metapneumovirus. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31607599/ 57. Although elderly influenza vaccination coverage increased from about 15% to about 65% during 1980-1999 in the US, estimates of influenza-related mortality also increased during this period; the increase in elderly vaccination coverage was not accompanied by a decline in influenza-related mortality. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0531513104001694 58. CDC seasonal vaccine effectiveness estimates, recent seasons: 2021-2022: approximately 36%. 2022-2023: approximately 30%. 2023-2024: approximately 44%. 2024-2025: approximately 46% against hospitalization, 32-54% against outpatient illness (preliminary CDC network data). These figures vary substantially by network, age group, and whether illness or hospitalization is being measured, and preliminary in-season figures are often revised. 59. All-cause mortality claims: observational and meta-analytic data are often cited as showing a 20-30% relative reduction in all-cause mortality among vaccinated versus unvaccinated. In absolute terms, if baseline mortality is 0.1%, that is an absolute risk reduction of only 0.02-0.03 percentage points. These mortality studies carry a well-documented methodological limitation known as "healthy vaccinee bias" — people who are already sicker or frailer are less likely to get vaccinated in the first place, which can make the vaccine look more protective than it is. 60. Recognized adverse effects of the flu vaccine, though rare, include anaphylaxis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and febrile seizures in children. 61. Shrestha NK, Burke PC, et al. Effectiveness of the Influenza Vaccine During the 2024-2025 Respiratory Viral Season. medRxiv preprint, 2025 (not yet peer-reviewed). - 53,402 Cleveland Clinic employees in Ohio. Vaccinated employees had a 27% higher hazard of lab-confirmed flu than unvaccinated employees (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.07-1.51, P=0.007), a calculated vaccine effectiveness of -26.9% (95% CI -55.0 to -6.6%). - Acknowledged limitations: vaccinated employees may have been tested more often than unvaccinated employees, the vaccinated group was 4.5 times larger than the unvaccinated group, the study did not assess hospitalization or death, and it involved a single health system's workforce, mostly young and female. 62. Reanalysis of FDA Clinical Data for mFLUSIVA (mRNA-1010): Unfavorable Risk-Benefit Profile Supports Market Withdrawal. Zenodo preprint, 2026 (not peer-reviewed). - mFLUSIVA (Moderna's mRNA-based flu vaccine) was FDA-approved in August 2026 for adults 50 and older. This reanalysis of the FDA advisory committee briefing document calculated that 137 vaccinations were needed to prevent one confirmed influenza-like illness, 1,003 to prevent one higher-level-care visit, and 5,017 to prevent one hospitalization, compared with a standard-dose vaccine. - Solicited adverse reactions were more frequent with mFLUSIVA than the standard-dose comparator. The authors flagged an imbalance in deaths of unspecified cause (23 vs. 9) as warranting further investigation, while noting the trial was not designed or powered to assess mortality as an endpoint. - For context: the published NEJM trial data describe mRNA-1010 as more effective than standard-dose vaccine at preventing confirmed illness, with adverse reactions described as mostly mild-to-moderate. 63. Batalla-Rebolla N, et al. Association Between the Introduction of Pediatric Influenza Vaccination and Influenza Diagnoses in Primary Care and Hospitalizations: An Interrupted Time Series Study. Vaccines (Basel). 2026;14(5):372. doi:10.3390/vaccines14050372 - Catalonia study of all influenza diagnoses in primary care and influenza-related hospitalizations, October 2018-August 2025, following the 2023-24 introduction of systematic vaccination for children aged 6-59 months. - Conclusion: the introduction of systematic influenza vaccination in children aged 6 to 59 months has not been shown to be associated with a reduction in influenza cases in primary care or hospital settings during the early stages of implementation of the new vaccination program. Longer follow-up and higher vaccination coverage are needed to confirm population-level impact. 64. Opinion/interpretation: some physicians reviewing this body of evidence (e.g., Dr. Paul Marik, drawing on the Cleveland Clinic and mFLUSIVA data above) have concluded the vaccine may be ineffective, or even negatively effective, in some populations and seasons. This is one interpretation of mixed data rather than a settled finding — CDC network data most seasons shows modest positive effectiveness, while single-institution studies and reanalyses like the ones above have shown null or negative results. Readers should weigh both. How many people die of the flu? CDC's estimates of overall flu deaths have ranged in recent years from 36,000 for the 1990-1991 flu season to 80,000 for the 2017-2018 flu season. HHS mortality and morbidity data available on the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) website show CDC's annual estimates are off by orders of magnitude. NCHS data report the average number of mortalities attributable to influenza alone on death certificates is little more than 1,000. CDC's inflated estimate comes from conflating flu deaths with pneumonia deaths, most of which are unrelated to the flu. Subtracting pneumonia, the true number of influenza-associated deaths from 1979 to 2002 averaged 1,348, according to NCHS data. Media routinely reports figures forty times this number. Pediatric flu deaths are individually reportable and range from 60-120 annually; adult flu deaths are not individually reportable and are estimated from death certificates. What is the best way to prevent the flu? The Cochrane Collaboration's 2010 meta-analysis of published influenza vaccine studies found the influenza vaccination has no effect on hospitalization, and no evidence vaccines prevent viral transmission or complications. The Cochrane researchers concluded in 2010 that the scientific evidence discourages routine use of influenza vaccination in healthy adults as a public health measure; a 2014 follow-up meta-review of dozens of additional studies reached the same conclusion, reaffirmed again in 2018. Can the flu shot transmit the flu? A January 18, 2018 study in PNAS found that influenza vaccination was associated with increased transmission of the virus, with vaccinated individuals shedding more than six times as much aerosolized virus in their breath than unvaccinated individuals. The researchers suggested certain types of prior immunity — specifically vaccine-conferred immunity, as opposed to naturally acquired immunity — may promote lung inflammation, airway closure, and aerosol generation. If confirmed, this observation, together with literature on reduced protection with annual vaccination, could have implications for vaccination recommendations and policy. Should you get the flu shot if you are concerned about the coronavirus? Limited studies have assessed flu shots and coronavirus risk. A January 2020 US Pentagon-funded study found an association between flu vaccination and a 36% increased risk from coronavirus (virus interference). Only about 7-15% of "influenza-like illnesses" are actually caused by influenza viruses; some research suggests the flu vaccine may increase vulnerability to the remaining 85-93% of non-flu respiratory infections. A 2011 study of healthy Australian children published in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal found seasonal flu shots increased the risk of flu by 73% and doubled the risk of non-flu respiratory infections. A 2012 randomized controlled trial in Clinical Infectious Diseases similarly found influenza-vaccinated children had no significantly lessened risk from influenza and a higher risk of non-influenza viral infection. An April 2010 study in PLoS Medicine reported that receipt of the 2008-2009 seasonal influenza vaccine, while apparently effective against seasonal flu, was associated with increased risk of illness from the pandemic H1N1 virus during spring/summer 2009 in four Canadian epidemiologic studies. A 2011 Journal of Virology study confirmed annual influenza vaccination hampers development of robust cell-mediated immunity in children, potentially rendering previously unexposed children more susceptible to a novel pandemic strain. A 2018 CDC-funded study found an increase in acute respiratory infections from non-influenza pathogens following vaccination compared to unvaccinated children in the same period. A CDC-funded study published in September 2014 in Clinical Infectious Diseases, examining five years of vaccination data, found vaccine-induced protection was greatest for individuals not vaccinated during the prior five years, with effectiveness declining with repeated annual vaccination. Conclusion In their 2010 meta-analysis, the Cochrane researchers noted discrepancies between the CDC's public messaging and the underlying science supporting universal influenza vaccination recommendations. The CDC holds multiple vaccine patents and generates revenue connected to vaccines, which represents a potential conflict of interest. Multiple federal investigations and whistleblower reports have examined the relationship between CDC's Vaccine Branch and vaccine manufacturers, including a 2000 US Congress Government Oversight Committee report, a 2009 HHS Office of Inspector General report, a 2014 letter from the Director of the HHS Office of Research Integrity, and a 2011 letter from a group of CDC scientists to CDC leadership. Medicolegal Disclaimer The above constitutes an opinion for educational purposes only and is in no way to be interpreted as medical advice.

The Flu Vaccine: A Balanced Conversation About Risk, Benefit, and Informed Consent Every fall, the public hears a familiar message: influenza is dangerous, tens of thousands of people die from it each year, and the flu vaccine is the single best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community. There is truth in that message. Influenza can cause serious illness. It can contribute to hospitalization and death, particularly in people with advanced age, frailty, chronic illness, immune compromise, pregnancy, or complex medical conditions. Seasonal flu vaccination can reduce the risk of laboratory-confirmed influenza, and in some populations and seasons may reduce serious outcomes. But the public message is often more certain and less nuanced than the evidence itself. Informed consent does not mean convincing everyone to refuse a vaccine. It also does not mean asking people to accept a recommendation without understanding the size of the likely benefit, the limits of the research, the uncertainty in mortality statistics, and the difference between a healthy child, a healthy working-age adult, and a medically fragile nursing-home resident. A balanced conversation begins with the actual numbers. What Does “Flu Death” Mean? Many clinicians were trained with a familiar statistic: 36,000, 60,000, or more Americans die from influenza each year. Most people hear that as a direct count of people with laboratory-confirmed influenza who died from flu itself. That is not what the larger seasonal figures represent. CDC’s higher seasonal influenza mortality figures are model-based estimates of influenza-associated deaths. CDC uses surveillance data, adjustment factors, and statistical methods to estimate the broader burden of deaths in which influenza may have contributed. CDC defines flu-related deaths as those in which influenza was “likely a contributor,” not necessarily the primary cause of death.[cdc][cdc] Influenza can contribute to a cascade that includes viral or bacterial pneumonia, respiratory failure, sepsis, a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, worsening COPD, or decompensation of other chronic disease. In many cases, especially among frail older adults, it may be impossible to identify one single cause with certainty. A model can be useful for estimating population burden. But a modeled influenza-associated mortality estimate is not the same thing as a direct count of laboratory-confirmed influenza deaths or death certificates listing influenza as the underlying cause. That distinction should be made clear whenever mortality numbers are used to motivate a medical intervention. Influenza and Pneumonia Are Different Measures Another source of confusion is the longstanding combined category “influenza and pneumonia.” CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics currently lists 48,139 deaths in the broad influenza-and-pneumonia category. CDC has also reported 1,153,761 deaths in the influenza-and-pneumonia category between 1999 and 2018, averaging 57,688 per year.[cdc][cdc] But this category includes all forms of pneumonia, not just pneumonia caused by influenza. Pneumonia can be bacterial, aspiration-related, hospital-acquired, fungal, caused by RSV, caused by COVID-19, or caused by other viruses. A person may die from pneumonia during flu season without ever having influenza. Influenza may contribute to some pneumonia deaths, but it is not accurate to assume every pneumonia death is an influenza death. ICD-10 coding distinguishes influenza from pneumonia. Influenza deaths use codes J09 through J11; pneumonia deaths use codes J12 through J18.[cdc][kff] When someone says, “60,000 people die from flu each year,” it is reasonable to ask: Is that a count of laboratory-confirmed influenza deaths? Is it death certificates specifically coded as influenza? Is it the broader influenza-and-pneumonia category? Or is it a modeled estimate of deaths in which influenza may have contributed? Those categories are not interchangeable. Models Can Help, But They Have Limits CDC’s seasonal flu-burden estimates are created from surveillance data, with adjustments for testing practices, under-detection, and extrapolation from selected surveillance networks to the national population.[cdc][cdc] This may be an appropriate way to estimate trends. But it necessarily involves assumptions. A model cannot determine with certainty whether influenza caused the death of a particular person. It cannot perfectly separate influenza from other respiratory viruses, bacterial infections, or the complications of chronic illness. It also cannot fully resolve whether a person would have died at that time without influenza exposure. This matters because large estimates can take on a life of their own. A model-based public-health estimate becomes a headline, then a talking point, then an unquestioned clinical fact. Patients deserve to know whether they are hearing a direct count or a modeled estimate. My Clinical Perspective In 26 years of practicing family medicine, including approximately five years of inpatient training and clinical practice, I have never personally cared for a patient whose death was clearly and directly attributable to influenza. I know of one influenza-associated death: the aunt of one of my patients, a nursing-home resident who tested positive for influenza about one month after receiving a flu vaccine. She was not my patient. This is not a national mortality study, and it is not offered as one. It is an observation from a physician who has cared for patients and families across decades. In routine outpatient and family medicine, straightforward deaths from influenza alone are rarely encountered. Severe winter respiratory deaths are more often multifactorial. They tend to occur in people with advanced age, dementia, frailty, institutional exposure, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, immune compromise, neurologic disease, aspiration risk, or a cascade involving pneumonia and sepsis. Influenza may be part of that cascade. But it is not always possible to say influenza was the sole or even primary cause of death. What the Vaccine Does in Healthy Adults Influenza vaccines are not useless. The question is what they reliably do and for whom. The 2018 Cochrane review of injected influenza vaccines in healthy adults found that vaccination probably reduced laboratory-confirmed influenza from about 2.3% to 0.9%. That is an absolute risk reduction of approximately 1.4 percentage points. In practical terms, about 71 healthy adults would need vaccination to prevent one confirmed influenza case in the trial settings.[pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih][cochrane] The same review estimated a reduction in influenza-like illness from about 21.5% to 18.1%. That means roughly 29 healthy adults would need vaccination to prevent one episode of influenza-like illness.[pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih][cochrane] Those are real benefits, but modest ones on average. The Cochrane review described injected influenza vaccines as probably having a small protective effect in healthy adults. Evidence for a reduction in hospitalization in that healthy-adult trial population was low-certainty.[pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih][cochrane] That does not prove there is no hospitalization benefit for higher-risk groups. It does mean that healthy adults should be given realistic expectations rather than promises. What CIDRAP Found CIDRAP’s Comprehensive Influenza Vaccine Initiative published The Compelling Need for Game-Changing Influenza Vaccines in 2012. The report concluded that existing standard influenza vaccines had moderate effectiveness in healthy, non-elderly adults and young children but did not demonstrate consistent protection across all age groups.[cidrap.umn][cidrap.umn] The report estimated approximately 59% protection from standard trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in healthy adults ages 18 through 64. It found a lack of consistent evidence of protection in children ages 2 through 17 and in adults age 65 and older in the evidence reviewed at that time.[cidrap.umn][cidrap.umn] For live attenuated influenza vaccine, often called the nasal-spray vaccine, the report cited pooled protection of approximately 83% in children ages 6 months through 7 years.[cidrap.umn][cidrap.umn] This report is now more than a decade old and does not settle the question for every current product or every season. But it illustrates an important reality: flu-vaccine effectiveness is not steady, universal, or interchangeable across age groups. Healthy Children and Severe Outcomes The 2018 Cochrane review of influenza vaccines in healthy children found that vaccination can reduce laboratory-confirmed influenza and influenza-like illness.[pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih] For inactivated vaccines, the review found a reduction in laboratory-confirmed influenza from 30% to 11% in the trials assessed. It also found a probable reduction in influenza-like illness from 28% to 20%.[pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih] But the review did not find convincing evidence from the available trials that vaccination reduced mortality, hospital admissions, serious complications, or community transmission in healthy children.[pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih] This does not prove that flu vaccination cannot reduce severe outcomes in children. Hospitalization and death are rare, and many trials are too small to measure rare outcomes confidently. It does mean that prevention of laboratory-confirmed influenza should not automatically be presented as direct randomized-trial proof that vaccination prevents hospitalization and death in every healthy child. That distinction matters when school-based vaccine programs are presented as a universally urgent intervention. The Asthma and Hospitalization Study A 2012 case-control study by Joshi and colleagues examined children ages 6 months to 18 years from 1999 through 2007 and evaluated whether trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine, or TIV, protected against influenza-related hospitalization. The study found an association between prior TIV vaccination and higher odds of influenza-related hospitalization. The reported odds ratio was 3.67, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.6 to 8.4. The association remained significant when the researchers analyzed children by asthma status. The authors concluded that TIV did not show protection against influenza-related hospitalization in the pediatric participants, particularly among children with asthma.[pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih] The authors wrote: “TIV did not provide any protection against hospitalization in pediatric subjects, especially children with asthma. On the contrary, we found a threefold increased risk of hospitalization in subjects who did get the TIV vaccine.”[pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih] This is a finding parents and clinicians deserve to know exists. It is also essential to understand what it does and does not prove. The study was retrospective and case-control, not randomized. It cannot establish that vaccination caused hospitalization. Children with more severe asthma, higher health-care use, more frequent clinician visits, or greater underlying respiratory risk may have been more likely to receive the vaccine and also more likely to be hospitalized. This is known as confounding by indication. A later systematic review of influenza vaccination in people with asthma found that the overall body of evidence more often suggested benefit, including a pooled estimate of 45% vaccine effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed influenza in two test-negative-design studies. The authors also noted limitations in the evidence base.[pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih][pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih] Both findings belong in an informed-consent conversation. The evidence is not as simple as “vaccination always protects children with asthma,” and the Joshi study does not prove that vaccination causes hospitalization. A Randomized Trial and Other Respiratory Viruses In 2012, Cowling and colleagues published a randomized trial involving 115 children who received either trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine or placebo. During nine months of follow-up, children who received the inactivated vaccine had a higher rate of virologically confirmed infection with non-influenza respiratory viruses. The reported relative risk was 4.40, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.31 to 14.8. When additional confirmed infections were included, the relative risk was 3.46, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.19 to 10.1.[pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih][pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih] The viruses detected included rhinoviruses and coxsackie or echoviruses. The researchers discussed a possible phenomenon sometimes called virus interference: natural influenza infection may temporarily activate nonspecific immune responses that affect susceptibility to other respiratory viruses.[pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih][pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih] At the same time, the study did not show a statistically significant difference between groups in all acute respiratory illness or febrile acute respiratory illness. It was small, and its confidence intervals were wide.[pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih] This study does not prove that flu vaccination makes children broadly more susceptible to respiratory infections. It does raise a legitimate question that warrants further investigation, and it shows why one should not claim that all respiratory outcomes move in a single predictable direction. What About Getting Vaccinated Every Year? Annual flu vaccination is often presented as though each dose simply adds protection. The research suggests a more complex picture. Studies of repeated vaccination have found that prior-season vaccination can influence current-season effectiveness. The effect appears to depend on the viral subtype, the match between vaccine and circulating strains, a person’s prior infection history, and the specific season. Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization reviewed evidence on repeated seasonal vaccination and concluded that there was no consistent overall difference in effectiveness between repeated vaccination and current-season-only vaccination. But it also identified seasons in which repeated vaccination was associated with lower effectiveness, particularly against influenza A(H3N2).[canada] During the 2014 to 2015 season, when a drifted A(H3N2) virus circulated, pooled evidence found that repeated vaccination was 54% less effective against A(H3N2) than current-season-only vaccination. The confidence interval ranged from 20% to 88% lower effectiveness.[canada] These observations do not show that repeated vaccination is harmful in every season or for every person. They do challenge the simplistic claim that annual vaccination always creates the same, or greater, protection. A 2011 immunology study by Bodewes and colleagues also found that children who received annual influenza vaccination developed vaccine-specific antibody and CD4 T-cell responses, but did not show the age-related increase in influenza-specific CD8 T-cell responses observed in unvaccinated children. The study involved children with cystic fibrosis and examined immune responses, not clinical outcomes such as hospitalization or death.[pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih][journals.asm] The researchers concluded that annual vaccination was effective against seasonal influenza but could hamper the development of virus-specific CD8 T-cell responses.[pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih][journals.asm] This does not establish that annual vaccination weakens a child’s immune system or makes future pandemic illness worse. It does raise an important scientific question about how repeated strain-specific vaccination shapes broader immune memory over time. A Clarification About the Military Study and COVID-19 Some people have cited a military study as evidence that flu vaccination increases the risk of COVID-19. That claim is inaccurate. The frequently cited Department of Defense study examined respiratory viruses during the 2017 to 2018 influenza season, before SARS-CoV-2 existed. It did not study COVID-19. It included seasonal coronaviruses that cause common-cold illnesses, which are different from SARS-CoV-2. Its overall conclusion found little to no evidence that influenza vaccination caused broad viral interference.[factcheck] The study should not be used as evidence that flu vaccination increases COVID-19 risk. Who Is Most Likely to Benefit? Risk from influenza is not evenly distributed. Potential benefit may be most important for: Frail older adults, especially nursing-home residents People with significant chronic heart or lung disease People with serious immune compromise People with major neurologic conditions or disability Pregnant people Very young infants Children and adults with complex chronic medical conditions People who live with or care for medically fragile family members CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone age 6 months and older without a contraindication.[cdc] That is a population-level recommendation. It does not mean that a healthy 10-year-old child, a healthy 35-year-old adult, and a medically fragile 86-year-old nursing-home resident have the same risk of severe illness or receive the same absolute benefit. A universal policy may be administratively simple. Good medicine still requires individual context. Questions for Public Health When public funds support school vaccine clinics, mobile vaccination programs, or broad county messaging, officials should be transparent about the goal. Is the goal to reduce: Laboratory-confirmed influenza? Missed school or work? Outpatient visits? Community transmission? Hospitalization? ICU admission? Death? These are different objectives. The evidence for each outcome is different. The expected benefit differs dramatically according to a person’s age, health status, exposure, and baseline risk. The appropriate response to this complexity is not fear, coercion, or dismissal of questions. It is better communication. What Informed Consent Looks Like A balanced influenza-vaccine discussion should include: A person’s age, health, pregnancy status, immune status, and chronic conditions Their baseline risk of serious complications from influenza Their work, household, and contact with medically fragile people The difference between reducing influenza infection and preventing severe outcomes The difference between direct mortality counts and modeled influenza-associated mortality The fact that vaccine effectiveness varies by season, subtype, and vaccine match The evidence for benefits and limitations in their age and risk group Common side effects and the importance of continued safety surveillance Their prior experience with influenza and vaccination Their personal values and tolerance for uncertainty The Bottom Line Influenza can cause serious illness. Vaccines can reduce the risk of influenza illness, though the magnitude of benefit is variable and depends on the person, the season, and the outcome being measured. The larger annual flu-mortality figures commonly used in public messaging are model-based influenza-associated mortality estimates, not direct counts of confirmed influenza deaths. The combined influenza-and-pneumonia category is not equivalent to influenza-specific mortality. In healthy adults, average vaccine benefit is modest. In healthy children, evidence for reduced influenza illness is stronger than randomized-trial evidence for preventing rare severe outcomes. Some studies have raised important questions about asthma, hospitalization, non-influenza respiratory infections, and repeated annual vaccination. None of this requires a person to reject all influenza vaccines. It does require medicine and public health to speak with more humility, more precision, and more respect for individual risk. Informed consent is not telling someone what conclusion they must reach. It is giving them the actual evidence, the actual uncertainties, and the dignity to weigh those facts in the context of their own health and family.

Natural Remedies First Aid Kit First aid kit to have on hand when you call me for help Call for dosing guidance for younger kids, pregnancy, and breastfeeding — there are a lot of variables in determining safe doses. Homeopathy is safe at any age regardless of dose. In fact, higher-potency homeopathy is often better for little ones (backwards of what you'd expect). You don't have to do ALL of these — pick and choose so you have options on hand. If you're not improving, get help. You may have the wrong diagnosis. You can find these supplements on my website under Fullscript, or Health Connections in Lincolnton, or Amazon. #supportlocalbusiness Acute dosing rule of thumb for homeopathy: 3 pellets every 15 minutes, up to 1-2 hours, for sudden-onset needs like illness or injury. If you're improving, continue as needed. If not, stop and switch to a different remedy. BASIC FIRST AID: Cuts, Scrapes & Burns Start here — what to actually do before you reach for the remedy cabinet. Cuts & Scrapes Rinse with cool running water first to flush out dirt and debris. Saline works great if you have it on hand. Skip the hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol directly on open wounds — they kill healthy tissue along with the germs and slow healing. Save peroxide for the skin around the wound, not the wound bed itself. Once clean, apply raw honey or calendula salve, cover with a clean bandage, and change daily. Homeopathic Calendula (topical tincture or cream) is a go-to for scrapes — a natural antiseptic that speeds healing. For deeper cuts: Staphysagria homeopathic for surgical or incised wounds; Hypericum if it's near a nerve-rich area (fingers, toes, spine) or the pain is sharp and shooting. Get it looked at if: bleeding doesn't stop with 10 minutes of direct pressure, the wound is gaping and won't hold with a butterfly closure, or it's a deep puncture (rusty nail, animal bite — these need a tetanus status check). Watch the next 2-3 days for infection: increasing redness, red streaking, warmth, pus, or fever. That's a call-me moment. Burns Cool it first — room temp to slightly cool water for 10-15 minutes. Avoid ice or ice water; like heals like. Egg whites applied immediately are an old but genuinely effective trick for minor burns — helps with both pain and blistering. Aloe vera (straight from the plant if you have one) is next for soothing and healing. Once past the acute cooling stage, layer in frankincense, lavender, roman chamomile, calendula, or neroli. Homeopathic Cantharis is excellent for burns, especially with blistering — 3 pellets every 15 minutes acutely, then space out as it improves. Never pop a blister — it's your best infection barrier. Get it looked at if: the burn is bigger than your palm, it's on the face/hands/genitals, it looks white or leathery (a sign it's deeper than it appears), or it's from a chemical or electrical source. Across the board: if you're using the same remedy for more than 24-48 hours without improvement, or things are getting worse instead of better, that's your body telling you it needs more than the kit can give it. Call me. COLD, FLU & UPPER RESPIRATORY Top Oils: Peppermint, helichrysum, copaiba, frankincense, tea tree, lavender, RC — many more uses beyond what's listed here, but these are the workhorses. Essential oils: Thieves, peppermint, lavender, frankincense, helichrysum, RC (Young Living, doTERRA, or another good brand all work fine). Teas: Ginger, cayenne, lemon, chamomile. Popular herbals/vitamins for acute illness: Echinacea with goldenseal, vitamin C, liquid vitamin D, liquid vitamin A, Host Defense Comprehensive Immune Support, astragalus (great for flu), elderberry syrup. Homeopathics for flu, colds, viruses, strep, etc.: Belladonna, Aconitum, Influenzinum, Chamomilla, Ledum, Hypericum, Arsenicum Album, Rhus Tox, Sulphur, Kali Muriaticum. Cold & Sinusitis — Simple saline spray. Dry wool socks on the feet also help with both colds and sinusitis. Sore Throat — Garlic bulbs. Do saline irrigation first to rule out simple postnasal drainage. If still painful, chew and eat garlic bulbs until it improves (or you stink). Homeopathy as above. Some patients swear by colloidal silver. Flu — Oscillococcinum or Influenzinum plus Aconitum for sudden-onset flu symptoms. Pick oscillo or Influenzinum and alternate with Aconitum every 15-30 minutes until you improve — usually works well if caught early. Elderberry syrup and astragalus dosed every few hours help for both prevention and treatment. Aconitum alone is great for flu-like illness with sudden fever onset. Croup — Kali Muriaticum for the barky cough, 3 pellets every 15-30 minutes when it's bad. Humid air (a hot shower) or a blast of cold air (a car ride in winter) can break an episode. RC oil to the chest and feet — the "magic socks" trick. Pain/Fever, Flu, or Sore Throat/Strep — Homeopathic Belladonna. Ear Pain/Infection — Homeopathic Chamomilla is ideal for the whiny, clingy kid with ear pain, sore throat, or teething. Related reading: my posts on the flu, the common cold, migraines, and why there's no need to fear fever. SKIN & MUSCLE Infected Nail Bed or Ingrown Toenail — Epsom salt soaks, plus a blend of tea tree, frankincense, and lavender in a carrier oil applied several times a day. Contact Dermatitis — Sulphur and Rhus Tox homeopathic. Pick one, take 3 pellets every 15 minutes for up to two hours. Improving? Continue. Not improving? Switch to the other and repeat. Still no change after that? Time to try calamine lotion, steroid cream, or oral steroids if severe. Muscle Strains — Epsom salt soak, peppermint oil, or a Panaway/Deep Blue-type blend. Trauma/Lacerations — Arnica for bruising and bleeding, Staphysagria for cuts, helichrysum essential oil to help stop bleeding. (See the Basic First Aid section above for step-by-step wound care.) Finger/Toe Injuries or Nerve-Type Pain (including shingles) — Hypericum homeopathic for nerve pain, Ledum for digit injuries specifically. Food Allergy Rash / Whole-Body Itchy Rash — Urtica Urens (especially for food-allergy reactions) and Histaminum homeopathic, or standard Benadryl. Bee Stings — Homeopathic SSSSting Stop, lavender oil, or a tobacco paste (yes, I know it's otherwise bad for you — it works topically here). Tick Bites — Tick-removal tool, frankincense applied topically, Ledum homeopathic 3 pellets every few hours for a few days. Send the tick to TickReport.com for Lyme and co-infection assessment. GASTROINTESTINAL Activated charcoal — 1 capsule every few hours for suspected bad food or early gastroenteritis symptoms. Mix into applesauce for kids. SURGERY PREP & RECOVERY Oils: Copaiba, frankincense, helichrysum. Homeopathy: Arnica, Staphysagria — alternate 3 pellets of each the night before surgery, the morning of, then every 3 hours afterward. Pain control: 5 drops each of copaiba and frankincense in a gelatin capsule every few hours; helichrysum applied topically for bruising. Scar care: Frankincense, neroli, and lavender applied topically around the wound once bandages come off, and over the scar once fully closed. TRAVEL Probiotics, Arsenicum Album homeopathic (traveler's diarrhea), Nux Vomica homeopathic (nausea/hangovers) — plus the remedies listed above for nausea, colds, and trauma. Motion sickness — Nux Vomica, sucking on a lime, a "Relief Band" motion-sickness wristband (like a TENS unit for the wrist), peppermint oil to the stomach, ginger tea or capsules. SHINGLES Vitamins A, C, D, and L-Lysine. (See my full shingles post for the complete protocol.) FEBRILE SEIZURES Calcium Lactate. (Ashley Everly wrote a great piece on febrile seizures worth a read.)

Introducing your baby to solid foods is such an exciting milestone! It’s a time full of new tastes, funny faces, and maybe a little mess. Whether you’re tuning into Barbara O’Neill’s integrative health tips or trying out baby-led weaning (BLW), there are tons of ways to make this transition fun and healthy for your little one. Let’s dive into O’Neill’s take on waiting for molars before adding starches, mix in some BLW vibes, and figure out how to keep things safe and simple. Barbara O’Neill’s Take on Starting Solids Barbara O’Neill, a naturopath and nutrition enthusiast, shares some cool insights in her video “ Child Nutrition ”. She’s all about breastfeeding as the perfect food for babies, packed with everything they need. When it’s time for solids, she suggests holding off on starchy foods—like potatoes, rice, or grains—until your baby starts getting their molars, usually around 10–16 months. Here’s why she thinks this makes sense: Digestion Needs Time : Babies don’t have much amylase, the enzyme that breaks down starches, until those molars show up. Waiting helps their tummy handle these foods better. Happy Gut, Happy Baby : Starting starches too early might cause bloating or tummy troubles, so O’Neill recommends sticking with gentler options first. Follow the Signs : She loves using milestones like teething to guide when to introduce trickier foods, making sure your baby’s ready. Instead of starches, O’Neill suggests starting with super soft, easy-to-digest foods like mashed bananas, avocados, or steamed carrots. These are kind to tiny tummies and loaded with nutrients, perfect for those first bites. Baby-Led Weaning: Let’s Get Hands-On! Baby-led weaning is all about letting your baby take the lead with food. Starting around 6 months, you offer soft, finger-sized foods and let them explore at their own pace. It’s a fun way to build their confidence and motor skills, and it pairs nicely with O’Neill’s focus on tuning into your baby’s development. What’s the Deal with BLW? Self-Feeding Fun : Babies get to grab and munch on soft foods like steamed veggie sticks, ripe fruit slices, or squishy pasta. It’s messy but awesome for learning! Textures Are Key : Foods need to be soft enough to mash with gums—no teeth required! Babies are pros at gumming down the right stuff. Gagging’s Okay : Gagging is totally normal as babies figure out how to move food around their mouths. It’s not choking, which is rare if you prep foods safely. Still, it’s smart to brush up on infant CPR just in case. Mix It Up : Lots of parents blend BLW with purees—think preloaded spoons for self-feeding or purees for daycare. It’s all about what works for you. BLW and Starches Unlike O’Neill’s wait-for-molars approach, BLW is cool with adding soft starches early, like mashed sweet potatoes or tiny bits of well-cooked pasta, as early as 6 months. These are made super soft so babies can gum them easily, and research (like the BLISS study) shows BLW is just as safe as spoon-feeding when done right. Keeping It Safe: No Choking Allowed Whether you’re Team O’Neill, Team BLW, or mixing both, keeping your baby safe is the top priority. Here’s how to avoid choking and make mealtime worry-free: Pick the Right Texture : Go for foods that melt in the mouth, like soft-cooked veggies or ripe fruits. For BLW, cut foods into finger-sized pieces your baby can grab but not stuff in whole. Stay Close : Always watch your little one while they eat. Keep them sitting upright (a high chair with a footplate is great) and skip the distractions. Take It Slow : Offer small bites and let your baby pace themselves. Try one new food at a time, waiting a few days to check for allergies. Gagging’s Not Choking : Gagging is part of learning, but choking (quiet, blue lips, or distress) needs quick action like back blows. Sign up for an infant CPR class for peace of mind. Mixing O’Neill’s Tips with BLW O’Neill’s focus on waiting for starches and BLW’s let-baby-lead style can totally work together. Here’s how to blend them for a happy, healthy start to solids: Kick Off with Simple Stuff : Try O’Neill’s faves like mashed avocado or steamed broccoli florets. These are perfect for BLW-style self-feeding too. Ease into Starches : If you’re following O’Neill, hold off on starches until 10–12 months when digestion’s ready. For BLW fans, soft starches like mashed potato or overcooked pasta can come earlier—just make sure they’re easy to gum. Watch Your Baby’s Cues : Use molars as a green light for trickier foods (like O’Neill suggests), but don’t wait to start solids if your 6-month-old is ready (sitting up, curious about food). Check with Pros : Chat with your pediatrician or peek at resources like Solid Starts or the NHS Start for Life to keep things on track. Sample Meal Ideas for 6–12 Months Here’s a chill meal plan that mixes O’Neill’s gentle foods with BLW’s self-feeding fun: 6–8 Months : Breakfast: Mashed avocado strips or a preloaded spoon of it. Lunch: Steamed carrot sticks, soft enough to squish. Dinner: Banana spears or mashed pear. Tip: Skip starches for now, focusing on soft fruits and veggies. 8–10 Months : Breakfast: Scrambled eggs (well-cooked, cut small) for a protein boost. Lunch: Steamed zucchini slices or soft green beans. Dinner: Thin tofu strips, super soft for gumming. Tip: Keep textures soft and let your baby explore. 10–12 Months (or when molars pop in) : Breakfast: Tiny pieces of lightly toasted bread with a smear of unsalted butter or mashed sweet potato. Lunch: Soft, tiny pasta or mashed potato chunks. Dinner: Flaked fish (no bones!) with steamed broccoli bits. Tip: Watch how your baby handles starches and go slow. Feeding difficulties: clicking when drinking, dribbling milk, choking, gagging, poor weight gain, taking a long time to consume a small amount of food, pocketing food. Consider food sensitivities/food allergies. Consider tongue dysfunction/tongue ties—see your local myofunctional therapist. Wrapping It Up Starting solids is a big adventure for you and your baby! Barbara O’Neill’s tip to wait for molars before starches is a great way to focus on digestion, while baby-led weaning brings the fun of self-feeding and exploring textures. Blend the two by starting with soft, simple foods, keeping starches soft and gradual, and always watching your baby’s cues. Make sure to supervise every bite and check out resources like  Yummy Toddler Food  for BLW ideas or O’Neill’s video for her take. Here’s to happy, messy mealtimes!   Much love and peace, Dr. Benton

We almost crashed our server this summer with our blog about why no doctor should ever recommend acetaminophen or prescribe a Tylenol-containing pain reliever again (colleagues, are you listening? FDA, how ’bout you?). Since then, I’ve fielded hundreds of inquiries from families—especially worried parents—asking WHAT to use instead of Tylenol? Dr. Benton, what do I do for a fever? Dr. Benton, what do I do for a headache? What about for aches and pains? What about for migraines ? Glad you asked. There are safe, effective, natural alternatives to Tylenol that will get your pain in check. How to Treat a Fever Without Tylenol Fever is actually a positive sign that your immune system is paying attention and fighting disease. Fever is one of our body’s natural defenses against infection. Having a fever forces us to stay in bed—which gives our bodies time to heal. Several studies have found that treating a fever can actually have a negative effect, prolonging the length of time you’re sick. Don’t be afraid of a fever. That said, if you’re concerned that the fever is too high or if your fever is making you or your child miserable, a wet washcloth with a drop or two of lavender oil on it applied to the forehead will bring relief. As will a sponge bath, as the water evaporating from your skin will cool down the body. If you are really worried, get checked out. Peace of mind is worth it but soon enough you will know how your child responds to fever. Worst case, take some Tylenol if your doctor recommends it but take it with NAC- N-Acetyl Cysteine. It helps protect from the toxicity of Tylenol. For the body aches that come with fever, try homeopathic arnica- 3 pellets as needed for pain. Then there’s my favorite home remedy for fever, which I call the Wet Sock Trick. The Wet Sock Trick Run cotton socks under cold water and wring them out Put them on your feet and cover with a larger pair of wool socks In the morning the socks will be dry and the fever will be gone Babies with fever will also benefit from skin-to-skin. Take off your shirt (and bra) and hold your baby to your chest in nothing but their birthday suit. Your body temperature will help them regulate theirs. A baby under three months old who has a high fever and is acting lethargic should be seen by a doctor or taken to the emergency room right away! How to Treat a Headache Without Tylenol - Natural Alternatives The best natural alternative to Tylenol is turmeric, a root used in Indian and African cooking known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric: Usually a quarter of a teaspoon of ground turmeric in 8 ounces of water or juice will do the trick for children, a half teaspoon for teens, and a teaspoon for adults. But you have to experiment a bit to get the dose right for you. Peppermint oil : Mix a drop or two of peppermint essential oil into a quarter of a cup of coconut oil. Massage this on your temples and neck, carefully avoiding your eyes. Some migraine sufferers report washing their hair with peppermint shampoo can also help. Epsom salt bath: An Epsom salt bath relieves aches and pains and can often cure headaches. Headaches are sometimes caused by a lack of magnesium. When you take an Epsom salt bath, magnesium sulfate is absorbed through your skin. Put 2 cups of Epsom salts and half a cup of apple cider vinegar in a bath as hot as you can stand it. Add a drop or two of lavender essential oil to the bath. Soak for 40 minutes or until the water gets cold. Magnesium citrate: Use as directed on the label. I recommend you take this at night, before bed. Magnesium citrate is a natural muscle relaxant (it also helps you have more regular bowel movements. My mama swears headaches are caused by constipation. Who knows, she may have been right all these years.) Essential oils - 5-10 drops of frankincense plus 5-10 drops of copaiba in gelatin capsules are great for pain control. It is often called the "morphine bomb" of essential oils and has been used by many of my patients after surgeries! What if you’re pregnant? My colleague, Aviva Romm, M.D., also has good advice for any moms experiencing headaches during pregnancy. She has updated her article and has strong feelings against the current administration but ultimately, there are plenty of studies to support the need for further study and to be moderate. If you really need the Tylenol, use it but use it sparingly. How to Treat a Migraine If you suffer from them, you know migraines can cause debilitating pain. You look like ten miles of bad road. Feel like it too. When you sense a migraine starting, don’t ignore it. Use the headache techniques above: Take turmeric (up to 2 Tablespoons every 3-4 hours until the pain goes away) Soak in an Epsom salt bath Try some magnesium citrate Caffeine often helps. Brew yourself a strong cup of coffee. If you are able, lie quietly in a darkened, cool room. My other suggestions for treating migraines can be found here . How to Help An Ear Ache Without Tylenol or Antibiotics In Europe doctors usually take a wait and see approach to ear infections, and do not jump to prescribe antibiotics. Wait and see and call me tomorrow. Patience. Something we Type A Americans have in short supply! Unfortunately, America doctors are quick to treat earaches with antibiotics, whether or not your child actually has an ear infection. Turns out ear infections are often misdiagnosed—inside the ear can look red for a number of reasons, including simply if your baby’s been crying. Instead of antibiotics, try an onion earmuff. I know it seems weird. But it works. Plus it will make your little sick one laugh his head off and laughter is good for the soul. I recommend Kula Mama’s recipe for onion earmuffs , which can clear up an infection in hours. I also recommend garlic-mullein drops, which you can buy at any food co-op or health food store, as long as the eardrum has not burst. If you’re child is getting ear infections often, it’s time to look for root causes . If you’ve got a sinus infection along with aching ears, you can find more advice here . Integrative medicine looks at root causes I know when you have pain you want immediate relief, not a long blah, blah, blah about why you’re in pain in the first place. Fair enough. But I’m an integrative physician and I believe it’s important not only to treat the symptoms but to find out what is causing them in the first place. I used to be a conventional gal, just like all y’all. And guess what? I was sick all the time. So were my kids. I opened my mind to a holistic, integrative approach in the first place because it helped me radically improve my own and my family’s health. So if you’re suffering from chronic pain, I’m here to tell you that it’s time for a nutrition and lifestyle overhaul. You may be eating foods that are pro-inflammatory and making you sick, you may be stressed out in ways that are putting your body into fight-or-flight mode, and you may not be getting enough exercise, a proven prescription to help fix your mood, jumpstart your libido, and lose weight. If your pain is constant, get both oars into the water. Find an awesome integrative or functional doctor and figure out why! What natural alternatives to Tylenol have you found helpful? What’s your best most effective home remedy to treat pain? We’d love for you to share your tips and tricks in the comment section below.

Most people think of histamine only when they’re dealing with allergies — that sneezing, itching, or runny nose that has them reaching for an antihistamine. But histamine is much more than that. It’s a natural compound that plays essential roles in the body, acting as a neurotransmitter in the brain, a regulator in the gut, a modulator of the immune system, and even an influencer of sleep and mood. Histamine itself isn’t the problem. The real issue is histamine overload - when the body can’t keep histamine levels in balance. Where Histamine Shows Up in the Body Because histamine affects so many systems, symptoms can appear almost anywhere: Brain and mood : anxiety, insomnia, irritability, headaches, brain fog Skin : hives, flushing, itching, rashes Nose and sinuses : congestion, sneezing, chronic runny nose Gut : bloating, loose stools, reflux, nausea after fermented or aged foods Bladder : urgency or pain (interstitial cystitis-like symptoms) Heart and muscles : palpitations, low blood pressure, fatigue after exercise These symptoms can mimic many other conditions, which is why histamine overload is often overlooked. Why Histamine Builds Up The body is designed to produce and clear histamine efficiently, but several factors can cause an overload: Gut imbalances : Dysbiosis, SIBO, or leaky gut can increase histamine-producing bacteria and reduce the activity of DAO (the enzyme that breaks down histamine). Mold exposure : Mycotoxins can trigger mast cells to release excess histamine and weaken detoxification. Chronic stress : Cortisol fluctuations can alter immune signaling and slow histamine breakdown. Sluggish detox pathways : The liver relies on key nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, and molybdenum to process histamine. If those are depleted, clearance slows. Finding Balance Functional medicine aims not just to suppress histamine but to understand why it’s high in the first place. This means addressing: Gut healing and microbial balance Identifying food sensitivities or high-histamine foods Supporting detoxification through nutrition and hydration Managing stress and improving sleep Reducing environmental triggers like mold or chemical exposure When the body’s internal “drainage system” is supported, histamine can return to its normal role protecting and regulating rather than overwhelming. If you’ve experienced seemingly unrelated symptoms across different systems, it may be time to look at histamine through a functional lens.

For nearly a century, we’ve been told that industry and science know better than the body of a mother. We were told that formula was more advanced than breast milk. That jars of baby food were safer and more “balanced” than what we made in our own kitchens. That doctors and institutions knew more about our babies than we did. And in the process,  mothers lost their natural skill sets  — the ancient knowing of how to breastfeed through challenges, how to soothe a fever, or how to nourish a child back to balance with rest, herbs, and love.What was once considered  common sense  became  clinical . What was once  wisdom  became  old wives’ tales . Yes, modern medicine saves lives every day and for that we are deeply grateful. But somewhere along the way, the pendulum swung too far. We began to  medicalize what was once mother’s domain , leaving many women feeling powerless, anxious, and disconnected from their own knowing. Now, mothers are often shamed if they don’t rush to the doctor for every cold or sniffle. They are told that their instincts are unreliable, their research suspect, their intuition unscientific. But what if  the most natural medicine in the world is a mother’s love, presence, and touch? The Grandmother Line Was Broken For most of human history, motherhood was never meant to be done alone. Young women learned from their mothers, aunties, and grandmothers; the ones who passed down knowledge through rhythm, story, and lived experience. They taught how to care for the newborn, how to recover from birth, how to cook for strength and nurse with ease. That sacred chain of wisdom, the grandmother line, was broken. For the last hundred years, the voices of women were dismissed. Their knowledge was called “unscientific,” “primitive,” or “folklore.” But that so-called folklore was  embodied science , honed over generations, rooted in observation, intuition, and love. It was relational medicine. It was somatic wisdom. And when that lineage was severed, mothers were left to figure it all out alone. The Industrialization of Motherhood Motherhood itself has become industrialized. Feeding  was replaced by formula and factory-made baby food. Nurturing  was outsourced to daycare, often when a baby is barely six weeks old. Success  was redefined — no longer by how present or connected a mother could be, but by how quickly she could return to work. And when women choose to stay home, our language betrays our values. We call them  housewives , as if their sacred work is confined by walls. In Spanish, the term is  ama de casa , the love of the home. What a difference it makes when we see the mother not as a “housewife,” but as a  homemaker, the heart-maker, the space-holder, the keeper of safety, rhythm, and warmth. There is no more important work than creating a home where children feel loved, seen, and secure. It is the foundation of emotional health and societal wellbeing — yet our culture has forgotten how to honor it. The Cost of Disconnection It’s no wonder postpartum depression and anxiety are at an all-time high. We’ve stripped away community support, sisterhood, and the validation that comes from being seen by other women. We’ve replaced village life with survival mode and then wondered why mothers feel so alone. Women are exhausted not just from doing too much, but from doing it  without the circle of women who used to hold them. We were never meant to mother in isolation. Motherhood is a  we , not an  I . The Call to Remember At  Benton Integrative Medicine , we are answering that call. We are remembering what our grandmothers knew. We are rebuilding the bridge between ancient feminine wisdom and modern integrative care. Our mission is to empower mothers to trust their bodies, their babies, and their innate intuition; to learn the old ways of healing, nourishing, and tending with presence and confidence. We teach modern women the tools their great-grandmothers knew by heart, from natural remedies for colds and sore throats to postpartum rituals that restore the body and spirit. This isn’t about rejecting medicine. It’s about  reclaiming motherhood as sacred medicine where intuition and science, community and individuality, finally belong together again. The Invitation Let’s bring  mothering  back to  motherhood. Let’s support one another in the sisterhood and the motherhood. Let’s return to the ancient wisdom of the grandmothers, and pass it forward to the daughters. Because when mothers are supported, babies thrive. And when mothers remember their power, the world heals. Join us at  BentonIntegrative.com Together, let’s rewrite the story — one mother, one family, one generation at a time.    Much love and peace, Dr. Cammy Benton

When your fasting blood sugar starts to rise, it’s not your body failing you. It’s your body trying to talk to you and say, “Hey, something’s off. Can we slow down and reset?” Impaired fasting glucose isn’t something to fear. It’s a gentle reminder that your body needs more care and balance. With the right habits and natural support, you can absolutely turn things around. 1. Build Strength to balance blood sugar One of the best ways to lower blood sugar is to build muscle. Muscle acts like a sponge for glucose, pulling it out of your blood and using it for energy. You don’t need a fancy gym or heavy weights. Bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, or a few dumbbells at home work just fine. Aim for two to four strength workouts each week. Every time you move your body, you’re teaching your cells to use energy more efficiently, and that is powerful medicine. 2. Eat for Your Metabolism There’s no one perfect diet. Everyone’s body responds differently to food. That’s why tools like  Zoe  can be so helpful. Zoe uses microbiome and blood sugar testing to show how your body reacts to different foods. It’s a bit of an investment, but it’s amazing for people who love personalized insight. If you’re not into testing, here are some simple ways to support healthy blood sugar: Eat protein and fiber with every meal to slow down sugar spikes. Focus on real, whole foods like vegetables, healthy fats, and clean proteins. Cut back on processed foods and sugary snacks. Try intermittent fasting (12–16 hours overnight) if your energy and hormones feel balanced. Food is fuel, but it’s also information. What you eat teaches your body how to use energy or store it. 3. Use Natural Support Certain supplements can help your body respond better to insulin and regulate glucose naturally. Berberine:  Known as “nature’s metformin.” It helps improve blood sugar, cholesterol, and gut health. Try 500 mg with meals, two or three times a day. BiotiQest Sugar Shift Probiotic:  Supports a healthy gut microbiome and helps your body manage sugar more effectively. Magnesium glycinate or citrate:  Helps your cells use glucose properly and can reduce sugar cravings. Chromium and alpha lipoic acid:  Support glucose movement into the cells and protect them from stress. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting new supplements, especially if you take medication. 4. Calm Your Nervous System Stress raises blood sugar even if you’re eating perfectly. That’s because stress hormones like cortisol tell your body to hold onto glucose “just in case.” Try these simple shifts: Take a few deep breaths before eating. Eat without distractions when you can. Get outside every day for fresh air and sunlight. Prioritize joy, laughter, and rest. Your body digests peace better than perfection. 5. Trust Your Body’s Wisdom Balancing blood sugar isn’t about punishment or restriction. It’s about helping your body remember how to regulate itself again. When you give it the right movement, nutrition, and rest, it responds beautifully. Energy improves, mood stabilizes, and cravings fade. Your body is wise. It’s always trying to find its way back to balance. You just need to listen. Ready to Take the Next Step? At  Benton Integrative Medicine , we help you uncover what your body truly needs to heal from the inside out. Together, we’ll build a personalized plan to balance blood sugar, support your gut, and restore energy naturally.   Much love and peace, Dr. Cammy Benton

As winter approaches, so do the sniffles, coughs, and sore throats that often send people rushing to the doctor for antibiotics. While antibiotics can be lifesaving when used appropriately, they are not the cure-all many believe them to be, especially when it comes to viral infections like the common cold or flu. Antibiotics Don’t Work on Viruses Antibiotics target bacteria, not viruses! Most colds, sore throats, and cases of the flu are viral, which means antibiotics won’t make you recover faster. In fact, unnecessary antibiotic use can do more harm than good. The Hidden Cost of Overusing Antibiotics When you take antibiotics unnecessarily, several things can happen: Disruption of the gut microbiome: Antibiotics wipe out both harmful and beneficial bacteria. This loss of microbial diversity weakens your gut’s ability to regulate the immune system. Increased intestinal permeability: Also known as “leaky gut,” this allows inflammatory molecules and toxins to enter the bloodstream, triggering immune activation. Reduced immune resilience: Because 70% of your immune system resides in the gut, disrupting it can actually make you more prone to future infections. Antibiotic resistance: Over time, bacteria adapt, making future infections harder to treat. A Better Approach to Winter Wellness Functional medicine takes a prevention-first and body-supportive approach. Instead of immediately turning to antibiotics, consider how to strengthen your natural defenses: Prioritize sleep and manage stress, which directly influence immune function. Support the gut microbiome with probiotics and fiber-rich foods. Keep vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin C levels optimal. Stay hydrated and include anti-inflammatory foods like garlic, ginger, turmeric, and green tea. If symptoms are severe or persist beyond expected viral duration, your provider can determine whether antibiotics are truly necessary. The Bottom Line Antibiotics have a vital place in medicine, but only when they’re needed. Using them wisely protects your gut, your immune system, and your long-term health. This winter, think “support first” rather than “suppress fast.” Your immune system is powerful, it just needs the right conditions to do its job."

If you get the flu, odds are you will survive.  About 1000-3000 die annually out of over 300 million patients so you will likely be fine.  If you have fragile health or getting worse instead of better, then you should seek care.  Otherwise stay home and do some self care.  Here are the tips I would do  (and have done the one time we had it) for my family. First of all, there is no need for Tamiflu.  Studies show it may shorten the flu by 3/4 of a day.  It isn't worth the risk of psychiatric side effects for such little benefit.  Several studies show no benefit at all.  So here are several things you can do.  I recommend to get these items before flu season just in case so you don't have to go out sick and share it with everyone.  See my flu prevention blog to try to ward it off. Elderberry Syrup Elderberry Syrup is a great anti viral.  Various brands have some lower glycemic versions for diabetics and safe versions for infants as well.  Take that frequently through the day starting at the onset.  It is food so I can't imagine overdosing on this. Homeopathic Medicine Homeopathic aconitum, oscillococcinum/ Influenzinum (buy both aconitum and one of the other two).  At onset of fever and body aches, start one or both of these taking 3 pellets every 15 minutes for two hours and then as needed.  Safe for babies even. Alovea- https://cammybenton.myalovea.com/ Alovea- more specifically the Acemannon that is in Alovea has incredible immune support data for many types of infections. Take a Vitamin Burst Vitamin A -adults -15,000-25,000 IU three times a day for 2 days, kids under twelve twice a day for up to two maybe three days max, Infants can have up to two doses daily for max two days.  Vitamin D adults 100,000 IU daily (get the liquid higher dose kind) for up to 5 days, kids under 12 up to 10,000 IU daily for 5 days unless you have a parathyroid problem or super high calcium issue. Then vitamin C -adults 1000 mg 4-5 times per day,  kids under 12- 1000 mg 3-4 times per day, kids 1-5 500 mg 3-4 times per day, infants- buffered vitamin C pinch in each cheek every 1-2 hours.  Stop the vitamin C if there is stomach cramping or diarrhea as that is the sign of having more than enough. Use a humidifier with about 1/8-1/4 cup of peroxide depending on how large it is and inhale only into your nose that mist with the peroxide to kill off the virus in your nose. Do this often but if it burns your nose, either dilute more or do it less often. Then look at my cold handout on managing the other symptoms but in general, do hot epsom salt baths with apple cider vinegar baths, simply saline, and the wet sock trick. Avoid treating the fever, See this blog on fever , what to take instead of tylenol for fever , studies on fever and info about fever phobia. Here is an article for prevention for the next time. May you have a quick recovery. Legal disclaimer : If you develop shortness of breath or any scary purple rashes or mental status changes, get help ASAP!.