The concierge physician breaks down the 48 hour rule, homeopathic remedies, and why you need to rethink your relationship with your doctor this flu season
As flu season reaches its peak, Dr. Ken Redcross is on a mission to change how people think about seasonal illness. The board certified internal medicine physician, author, and founder of Strategic Health Services has built a career around empowering patients to take control of their health. With a concierge medical practice serving everyone from executives to everyday families, Dr. Redcross combines Western medicine with homeopathic approaches to help people stay well.
When flu-like symptoms strike, people often wait too long. How critical is immediate intervention in the first 48 hours for managing seasonal illness?
Those first 48 hours are non-negotiable. That’s the window we really want to get into before things go a different direction than what we want. The symptoms of the flu come quickly, and that’s why you have to be on it. The number one complication of flu is pneumonia. That’s the reason why you really want to get on this within that first 48 hour window, so that you stay on the path to health and healing.
From a physician’s perspective, what are the key criteria you use to recommend over the counter flu symptom treatments, and what results do you look for?
I am a board certified Western trained physician, and Western medicine always comes in. Those are the ones that require prescriptions. But when it comes to cold and flu season, there are some important things over the counter that can make a big difference. One of the things I talk to my patients about is something that’s a little bit closer to the earth. It’s a homeopathic remedy called Oscillococcinum.
It’s been shown in clinical trials to decrease the severity and the duration of flu-like symptoms within that 48 hour window. I love the fact that it has a beautiful profile. It won’t cause drowsiness, doesn’t mask your symptoms, and you don’t have to worry about drug to drug interactions. Those are things that are so important in my practice. So at the beginning of cold and flu season, I start homeopathically, and then if I have to pull out my prescription pad for something else, that’s when that starts.
With cold, flu, and other seasonal viruses circulating, what are the three unmistakable red flags that tell a patient their illness is the flu and requires immediate targeted intervention?
When you get these symptoms, it’s important. If you have a sudden high fever, feel like you’ve gotten hit by a truck and have that fatigue, that typically is influenza or the flu. I tell patients, think neck up when you start thinking about colds. Runny nose, stuffy nose, runny eyes, that sort of thing. That window is so important that you’re going to be educated on this maybe being the flu and understanding the importance of getting on it early, because they go different directions in the way you want to manage them.
Another homeopathic medicine called ColdCalm is great for cold symptoms. There are options that are closer to the earth and you can get to, but you need to be educated and understand that there are different ways to get healthy. This fever is our body’s response to hopefully raise our temperatures to kill whatever may be in our bodies at the time.
What is your advice ahead of flu season for our listeners?
I don’t want you to let your guard down. The flu peaks in December and goes all the way out to May. I don’t want all the things we talk about today for us to be on it during the holidays and then let our hair down. Make sure that there’s a few things you do all the way into May. Make sure that you’re washing your hands, you’re wearing your mask in closed areas. The flu shot has been shown to decrease the severity if you do get the flu symptoms.
This year’s flu shot has a strain that’s not necessarily covered by it. But these are things that you can consider for your case and for your family’s case and belief system. We’ve already talked about Oscillococcinum, I mentioned ColdCalm. These are things that you want to stock up on early. I love the homeopathic options because they’re so easy for families. You don’t need water. They melt under your tongue, so you can have them on the go.
I remember when my twins were very little and I’m out somewhere, they’re not feeling well, and there’s no water nearby, and I can just give them something to make a big difference. Everything should be a strategy. Let’s have a plan around this cold and flu season.
What are your top three low cost wellness habits that we can apply in this season?
One last thing on hand washing. The whole saying of, as you’re washing your hands, be able to sing “Happy Birthday to Me.” That’s the time you really want to dedicate to washing your hands, under your nails and that sort of thing, because that is the biggest thing that we can do. We only make ourselves sick by rubbing our eyes, our nose, and our mouths. If you can keep that stuff in mind and keep your hand hygiene perfect, it’ll go a long way. Nothing better than soap and water. If you’re out and about and you need to use the other things, that’s great, but soap and water is the way to go if you can.
If you had one message to give to the Rolling Out audience about taking control of their health in 2025, what would that empowering call to action be?
One of the things I talk about on my platform is the fact that you need to have a perfect relationship with your doctor. You need to have a bond. Your doctor should feel like a member of your family, but above all, remember you’re the boss. I may be sitting here with this white coat and looking all official, but I’m no more important than you. We are a team to make sure that you go to the right path for health and healing and that you feel like I’m there for your support. I need you to understand that you own this relationship.
The other thing is, there are three other things to be considered. Nutrition, movement, and spirituality. These are other ways to stay well. Eating the right foods, moving your body, whatever that looks like for you. And spirituality is not necessarily about religion. What’s important to you? What fills your cup? And last but not least, sleep. Sleep is truly medicine. That’s when our immune system’s really kicking into high gear, but it only happens when we’re actually sleeping and resting.
For more information on Dr. Redcross, visit drkenredcross.com or connect with him on social media at Ken Redcross MD on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. His books Bond and The 15 Minute BOND Blueprint are available for those looking to strengthen their relationship with their healthcare provider.