Some get sick, head to the doctor, and ask for antibiotics to get healthy again. It’s tempting to look for a fast solution and waiting to heal is difficult. In our culture, we are used to instant answers. Our bodies take time to heal, and studies show that as many as one-third of all antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary. Often the best cure is treating the symptoms and giving our bodies time to recover.

Viral Infections

Infections like most respiratory infections, sinus infections, and ear infections typically start with a viral infection. Most common viruses (excluding COVID), run their course and our bodies fight them off successfully. Some illnesses may start as a viral infection, but then morph into a bacterial infection when we can’t clear mucus in our sinuses, or liquid builds up in the inner ear.  Bacteria thrive in moist, dark areas. Our bodies can clear a bacterial infection on their own, but since bacterial infections are stubborn, it tends to take longer. 

The cure is often time, pushing liquids, breathing humidified air, and gargling with warm salt water, which kills bacteria. Essential oils (see our article entitled How to Use Eessential Oils for Seasonal Threats) or over-the-counter medicines can help to dry out stuffy sinuses.  Elixirs like honey or cough syrups can help to thin mucus and make it easier to break up the mucus by coughing.

It goes without saying that certain infections, like strep, necessitate a trip to the doctor, and a prescription for antibiotics. For adults, if you have a high fever that came on suddenly; thick, colored mucus; extreme pain, are still sick after 10 days; or continue to get better, then worse again, see your doctor.

When you are sick, be patient with the healing process.  Most colds take seven to ten days to leave, and the flu typically lasts about five. Don’t rush toward health so fast that you take unnecessary medication.  And, stay home, both to let your body recover, but also to decrease the spread of disease. Most of the time, our bodies will do the work if we allow them to.

About the author

Kimberly Distilli

Kimberly Distilli, R.N. and founder of Wellness Balance, has spent almost three decades in the medical field. Kimberly devoted her life to taking care of others but it wasn’t until she became seriously ill with breast cancer that she discovered the impact of alternative, non-invasive therapies such as cold laser therapy, alkaline water, cellular cleansing and neurotoxin release.