Respiratory Illness on the Rise
iBiome Health & Wellness, PMC
Dear Rita,
Current Flu and Pneumonia Statistics in our local Los Angeles County have been on the rise, and I am seeing this reflective in our patient population as well. As of February 2025, Los Angeles County is experiencing a significant flu season. Recent data indicates that visits for influenza-like illness account for approximately 1.1% of emergency department visits, consistent with previous weeks. ph.lacounty.gov
As we continue on our post pandemic journey, trying to hold onto our “good bacteria” for our good health, various organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, continue to pop up in the community.
What is the iBiome Approach?
“Change the oil!”
“Fill the tank!”
“Protect the mucus membranes!”
Changing the Oil:
Reducing Inflammatory Foods: Minimizing consumption of sugar, processed foods, and other inflammatory substances.
Balancing the Gut Microbiome
One of the most important markers on the GI Map is the Secretory IGA, this determines your entire immune response. Better your Secretory IGA and you will improve your immune status.
Filling the tank:
Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Incorporating fruits and vegetables high in vitamins and minerals to support immune function.
Adequate Hydration:
Ensuring sufficient fluid intake
Ensuring clean filtered water
Ensuring water that is rich in electrolytes
Rita, why do some patients get hit harder with the flu than others?
Why do we focus more on car maintenance than our own intracellular maintenance?
“Change the oil and fill the tank”
Intracellular health matters when it comes to how your immune system responds, when faced with invaders viruses and bacteria. If the tank is empty, and the oil is sludgy, your soldiers will be weary.
iBiome patients know that we pride ourselves on providing a thorough evaluation of an individual's health history, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures is essential, and we often start with changing the oil, then filling the tank.
It helps identify underlying vulnerabilities, such as nutrient deficiencies, chronic stress, or environmental toxins, that may predispose individuals to repeated respiratory infections.
Filling the Tank
Food = Nutrients … or does it?
Vitamins and minerals supports your immune function.
Nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and probiotics play crucial roles in enhancing the body's defense mechanisms.
For instance, zinc has been shown to help fight the flu virus and may slow down how fast it multiplies.
Are you getting enough zinc from your food sources? Is your tank full or empty?
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Herbal and Natural Supplements
Certain herbs and supplements can support respiratory health:
Echinacea and Elderberry: These herbs have been traditionally used to alleviate flu symptoms and may reduce the duration of illness.
Probiotics: Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is vital for overall immune function. Probiotics can help restore balance to the gut microbiome, supporting immune functions and reducing inflammation.
Vitamin D: Crucial for preventing infections, vitamin D supports the immune system's ability to fight off pathogens. If your level is not high enough, you are fighting an uphill battle.
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What is the iBiome Approach? “Protect the mucus membranes!”
What is Hypochlorous Acid?
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a weak acid that is produced naturally by the human immune system. The white blood cells of humans, also contain hypochlorous acid as a tool against foreign bodies.
In living organisms, HOCl is generated by the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with chloride ions (some call it hydrogenated salt water). HOCl is produced when white blood cells (neutrophils) release an enzyme called myeloperoxidase (MPO). This enzyme combines chlorine with water to form HOCl hydrogenated salt water).
The theory is that hydrogenated salt water can be very healing and balancing, and even functions as a disinfectant against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
It is not until recent years that scientists have been able to cost-effectively produce and maintain hypochlorous acid water for stable commercial use…..
Previous Uses of Hypochlorous Acid:
Wound care: HOCl is used as a topical antiseptic to clean and disinfect wounds.
Skin conditions: HOCl can be used to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Water purification: HOCl is used as a disinfectant in water treatment plants.
Food safety: HOCl is used to sanitize food surfaces and equipment
SALT WATER:
Your skin is your first line of defense, and white blood cells the second.
Your body is animated by electricity—so you are an electrically run saltwater engine.
When your cells replicate, they produce about 1% free radicals, which can be damaging
Your body, in defense, creates Hypochlorous (or HOCl) in the white blood cells.
You produce electrically active salt water, with sacrificial free radicals (to balance out the body’s free radicals) and HOCl.
The HOCl complements and speeds your body’s process of healing.
It cleans up bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, and it works electrically in active transport to help you heal.
It is a broad spectrum anti-infective and anti-inflammatory, which is why it works on so many things but is (largely, still only) salt water with hydrogen, which is why it is safe.
NASAL PATHWAY CARE:
The nasal pathways are the entryway into the body
Doing a saline rinse is a healthy thing to do regardless of your health status, we recommend neti potting 2-3x/week.
Saline acts as a natural anti mucus agent, gently cleansing the mucus membranes
Click here for a free IFM form on Net Pot Patient InstructionSheet
NASAL SPRAYS CAN HELP!Topical (nasal) therapy may have several effects including mechanical removal of mucus and crusts, increase in mucus clearance, enhanced ciliary beat activity, disruption and removal of antigens, and biofilm and inflammatory mediators.
Most herbal nasal sprays contain Himalayan Salt or Colloidal Silver
Colloidal Silver is a broad spectrum antimicrobial that has been shown to be effective against bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. It provides diverse immune system support without harming the healthy gut bacteria!
Rita, as early as 2008, HOCl was proven to have fungicidal effects.Most recently, HOCl been studied as a nasal spray as a comparison to saline spray rinses with equivocal effects.
HOCl Nasal Spray:
A product I recommend to my patients, especially when travelling, Curativa Gentle Nose Cleaner.
It harnesses the power of blended saltwater solution and delivers it directly to where you need it most.
This effective nose solution can be quickly applied with a fine mist applicator and is the perfect size for travel.
Daily use benefits include:
Cleansing nose of airborne particles
Relieving dry airways by providing hydration
Improving the natural defense mucus barrier
HOCl is classified as non-hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency in the US. As an oxidising agent, it can be corrosive or irritant depending on its concentration and pH.
In a clinical test, hypochlorous acid water was tested for eye irritation, skin irritation, and toxicity. The test concluded that it was non-toxic and non-irritating to the eye and skin.
In a 2017 study, a saline hygiene solution preserved with pure hypochlorous acid was shown to reduce the bacterial load significantly without altering the diversity of bacterial species on the eyelids. After 20 minutes of treatment, there was more than 99% reduction of the Staphylococci bacteria.
HOCl Environmental Spray:
Keep your environment clean by filtering your air. I prefer the Air Doctor filter, make sure you take advantage of our discount link.
But for the environment you cannot filter, HOCl environmental spray is a great option. I recommend this for your car or while travelling, it can also be added to a humidifier, contact us for further instructions.
Hypochlorous sprays can help keep your environment disinfected, check out this one on Amazon!
Because of its reduction in Staphylococcal species, HOCl is often also used in many aesthetic treatments for skin.
Rita, there are many things you can do to be proactive about your health!
“Mom, there is no other kid doing all this!”
Both my sons and I were sick in January. How did I handle this? I filled our tank, Vitamin D, Zine, Omega 3s EFAs, created an anti infective protocol, which included NAC, Garlic, Pomegranate and targeted Probiotics, we did our nasal care, Neti cleansed, used a humidifier with HOCl.
Opting for ingredients such as colloidal silver or HOCl instead of intranasal steroids and antibiotics, can have a greater positive health impact on your long term health and help you combat repeated respiratory illnesses now.
So many of us don’t even look under the hood until there is a problem, but if you change the oil, fill your tank, you will be better equipped with the breakdowns. As always, stay informed, stay updated. I invite you to share this newsletter with a friend & invite them to subscribe here!
In good health,
Rita Wadhwani, MSN, RN, ACNP, CNS
Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner
iBiome Health and Wellness
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Disclaimer: This communication is not intended as medical advice or substitution of health care. Please consult with your individual provider, or schedule an appointment with us before starting any health or holistic recommendations.
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