How Should I Store My Jase Case and Add-ons?

You recently made the proactive decision to purchase the Jase Case and some add-ons. This investment is a hedge against interrupted medication supplies due to natural disasters, travel to medically underserved regions of the world, and world events leading to extended drug shortages.

You want to protect our investment and the most important step is to store them properly.

To begin with, what is shelf life and expiration dates for?

Understanding shelf life and expiration dates- What’s the difference?

Shelf life: “The time period during which a drug product is expected to remain within the approved shelf-life specification, provided that it is stored under the conditions defined on the container label.”

Expiration date: The expiration date is the final day that the manufacturer guarantees the full potency and safety of a medication. U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers are required by law to place expiration dates on prescription products prior to marketing. (many of these dates are arbitrary and are usually 1-5 years)

Shelf life and expiration dates are guidelines. Actual studies tell the whole picture.

Take doxycycline, for example:

Established in 1986, the Shelf-Life Extension Program a joint initiative of the FDA and Department of Defense tested 122 drugs for potency after their expiration date. Doxycycline (included in the Jase Case) maintained its potency well past 66 months- over 5.5 years. In fact, doxycycline potency has proven well beyond this time frame.

In fact, a paper from African Health Sciences titled” Drug expiry debate: the myth and the reality” revealed that of the drugs they tested “many drugs retain 90% of their potency for at least five years after the labeled expiration date, and sometimes longer. Even 10 years after the expiration date many pharmaceuticals retain a significant amount of their original potency.”

Below are the storage guidelines for most medications:

Don’t store your medicine in the bathroom or an area of the home of high humidity. Humidity can break down your medication and even change the medication’s chemistry. Packing your medication in a pouch with silica gel desiccants can help prevent moisture from ruining your medication.
Avoid extreme heat and cold. Both extremes can alter the chemistry or degrade the medication’s effectiveness. When traveling, keep medication on you or in your carry on. Don’t store it in your car for extended period of time.
Keep unused portions of medication in its original packaging. Whether that is the bottle or foil pouch it came in or was provided, doing this avoids contamination and excessive moisture build up.
Ideal places to store medications at home include dresser drawer, closet shelf or anywhere dark, dry and stays at room temperature. Always store with original label and out of reach of children and vulnerable adults (Alzheimer’s, dementia patients, etc.)

Jase Case and Jase add-ons storage guidelines

Jase Case

Store between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F)., and follow guidelines above (avoid excessive heat, cold, moisture and light).

If stored correctly, many antibiotics are still 90 percent or more potent even decades past their expiration date. See doxycycline post: “How Long do my Meds Last? A look at doxycycline”.

Jase Case add-ons

Below are the storage requirements/guidelines for Jase Case add ons:

Medication	Use	Don’t Freeze	Ideal storage temperature/avoid excessive heat	Notes
Acetaminophen	Antipyretic (fever reducer), analgesic (pain reliever)	X	X	Protect from light
Acetazolamide	Acute altitude sickness, glaucoma (acute angle-closure)		X	Protect from light
Albuterol HFA	Bonchospasm, COPD exacerbation		Room temp or refrigerate	Keep unused vials in foil pouch
Atovaquone-Proguanil	Anti-malarial		X
Celecoxib	Acute pain (general, menstrual, gout)		X
CiproDex Otic	Otitis externa (swimmers ear)	X	X	Protect from light
Dexamethasone	Acute altitude/mountain sickness (moderate to severe), high altitude cerebral edema, asthma		X
Diphenhydramine	Allergic reaction, hives, insomnia, motion sickness, nausea/vomiting		X
EpiPen Auto Injector	Alpha/beta agonist	X	X	Keep in plastic carrying tube,avoid excessive heat and protect from light
Famotidine	Histamine H2 blocker	X (liquid form)	x	Dispose of unused liquid form after 30 days
Fluconazole	Vaginal candidiasis		X
Hydroxyzine	Insomnia, itching, hives		X	Avoid excessive light
Ibuprofen	Fever reduction, pain relief		X
Ivermectin	Antiparasitic, scabies		X
Loperamide	Acute and chronic diarrhea		X
Methylprednisolone	Corticosteroid		X
Naloxone HCL nasal spray	Opioid overdose	X	X	Protect from light (remains chemically stable even after 28 day extreme heat/thaw cycle)
Ofloxacin ophthalmic suspension	Conjunctivitis (bacterial)		X	Protect from light
Ondansetron	Nausea/vomiting		X	Can store in refrigerator
Oseltamivir	Influenza	X (don’t freeze suspension)	x	Suspension at room temp up to 5 days, in refrigerator up to 35 days
Permethrin	Antiparasitic		X
Salbutamol inhaler	Increases air flow to lungs		X	Store unused vials in foil pouch or refrigerator
Scopolamine patch	Motion sickness		X	Do not bend or roll patches
Silver Sulfadiazine Cream	Topical antibiotic		X
Triamcinolone cream	Dermatitis, psoriasis	X	X
Valacyclovir	Herpes simplex		X

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Order Today

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Hidden Dangers of Indoor Air Pollution

(Especially in the Winter)

House Home in Night Snow Fall Winter Illustration

People spend at least 90 percent of their time indoors, and this is especially true during winter months in the Northern latitudes. Cooler air, treacherous driving conditions, high winds, rain, ice, and snowstorms force many to stay inside, shuttering windows and winter-proofing the home as much as possible. The lack of circulating air, however, can come at a cost to you and your loved one’s health.

Indoor Air More Contaminated than Outdoor - concept image with the most common dangerous domestic pollutants in our homes

Indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, especially during the winter months when we seal up our homes to conserve heat, trapping pollutants.

Sources of indoor air pollutants

Vehicle emissions and exhaust seeping in through garage and air vents
Radon (EPA estimates that radon contributes to between 7,000 and 30,000 lung cancer deaths each year)
Leakage from underground storage tanks (oil, gas, etc.)
HVAC – improper venting of ductwork, dirty ducts, moisture, or debris in ductwork

Furniture and building materials

Improper plumbing leading to sewer gas escaping from traps
Emissions from new furnishings, flooring, paints, etc.
Excessive moisture buildup, standing water from leaks

Other indoor sources – VOCs

VOCs are chemicals that vaporize at room temperature and can cause a variety of health problems

Cleaning supplies, pesticides, secondhand smoke
Fireplace and woodstove heat
Personal care products
Art supplies (dry erase markers, adhesives, chalk, etc.)

Biological agents

Animal dander
Body fluids- saliva, urine
Bacteria
Cockroaches
House dust mites
Mildew
Molds (can be distributed throughout the home through air ducts)
Pollen
Dust
Viruses
Plants
Animals

Symptoms of poor air quality

Infectious illnesses are transmitted through the air. In poorly ventilated homes the air can trap and spread infections such as influenza, measles, and chicken pox. Molds and mildews release disease-causing toxins. Symptoms of health problems caused by biological pollutants include:

Eye, nose throat irritation
Dizziness, nausea
Shortness of breath
Sinus congestion, cough, sneezing
Lethargy
Watery eyes
Digestive upset

Poor indoor air quality health can lead to

Exacerbation of asthma
Respiratory disease
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Immune system suppression (from medications, chemotherapy, radiation, or disease)

Clear the air, improve your health

The long-term health consequences of clean air in your home cannot be overstated. Below are some tips to clean the air:

Increase ventilation. This alone can help reduce infectious particle concentration, which in turn lowers transmission risk. Open windows, allow fresh air into rooms during the day.
Inspect and maintain exhaust ventilations systems in areas such as kitchens, cooking areas, etc.
Use and periodically change air filters- both portable and in air duct/use HEPA filters, run continuously even when not in room to capture mold, dust and lung irritants.
Limit the VOCs used in the home. Opt for safer, less toxic cleaning and personal care products. The Environmental Working Group has rated cleaning products according to toxicity. They also have personal care product ratings and much more.
Use fireplaces and woodstoves only if needed. Clean and service annually.

Monitor and aim for between 30 and 50% moisture in home

Check for excessive moisture in areas where there is plumbing- laundry room, bathrooms, kitchens. If there is excessive moisture but no plumbing leaks, run the bathroom fan during and 30 minutes after bathing. Install a dehumidifier to prevent mold growth.
Check for condensation on your windows and furniture. Wipe down condensation where water collects.
When cooking, cover post and use the exhaust fan above the stove.
Move furniture at least 2 inches away from walls to allow circulation behind the furniture.

The danger of natural radon gas in our homes - concept with presence of radon gas under the soil of buildings with magnifying glass and home model

Have your home tested for radon

According to the CDC:

“Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States after cigarette smoke.

Radon is an odorless and invisible radioactive gas naturally released from rocks, soil, and water. In outdoor environments, radon levels are very low and generally not considered harmful.

Radon can get into homes or buildings through small cracks or holes and build up to higher levels. Over time, breathing in high radon levels can cause lung cancer.”

The CDC goes on to report:

“According to estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency:

Radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
1 in 15 homes in the United States have high radon levels.”

Common sources: Radon forms naturally in ground water when naturally occurring uranium, radium, and thorium break down. Showering, washing dishes, and doing laundry can disturb the water and release radon gas into the air you breathe.

Removing it from drinking water: Treat water using aeration or GAC treatment where the water enters your home (point-of-entry device) so that it will all be treated. Point-of-use devices, such as those installed on a tap or under the sink, will only treat a small portion of your water and will not reduce radon in your water.

Aeration treatment—spraying water or mixing it with air and then venting the air from the water before use.

GAC treatment—filtering water through granular activated carbon. Radon attaches to the carbon and leaves the water free of radon. Disposing of the carbon may require special handling if it is used at a high radon level or if it has been used for a long time.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Order Today

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Heading to the Slopes? Take these Steps to Avoid Altitude Sickness

After a warmer than usual December, many ski resorts across the nation are finally able to open.

The beginning of January threatened to be the start of a disappointing ski season. Many resorts had reported little to no snow. The situation rapidly changed when the country was gripped with record snowfall and record low temperatures, yielding enough snow to allow resorts to open. The website, onthesnow.com, lists resorts that are open and projected dates for others across the nation.

The anticipation and exhilaration of skiing or snowboarding in fresh powder is unmet in any other winter sport. However, heading to a mountain at a higher altitude than you are used to can result in altitude illness.

Altitude Illness

According to the The CDC Yellow Book (health information for international travelers):

Altitude illness occurs at altitudes of 8,000–10,000 ft (≈2,440–3,050 m). (Sometimes lower altitudes, as low as 6,000 fee or 1829 meters), that can cause hypoxic stress.

Hypoxic stress results from decreased partial pressure of oxygen in the air at high altitudes. The decreased partial pressure of oxygen results in lower arterial levels of oxygen. The tissues that the arteries serve become oxygen starved, leading to serious health complications.

Altitude sickness with health risks, symptoms and treatment outline diagram

There are three types of altitude illness syndromes

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

This is the most common form of altitude illness. It affects 22–53% of travelers in altitudes between 6070 feet and about 14,000 ft ( between 1,850 and 4,240 meters), with higher incidences being described at the higher elevations. Onset of symptoms usually occurs rather quickly- within 2-12 hours after arriving at a high elevation or ascending to a higher elevation.

Symptoms of AMS include:

headache,
nausea,
vomiting,
fatigue,
dizziness,
and insomnia.

Very young children with AMS can develop loss of appetite, irritability, and pallor.

AMS can resolve within 12–48 hours if you do not continue to ascend.

Acetazolamide, taken before ascent can help prevent altitude illness in those predisposed, (history of altitude illness, rapid ascent to destination) and can shorten duration of altitude illness from 3-5 days to 1 day. (Acetazolamide is one of the Jase Case add-ons.)

If not appropriately treated, AMS can lead to HACE and/or HAPE:

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

(HACE is rare form of high-altitude illness, causing cerebral edema and is fatal if not treated) Although HACE presents with similar symptoms as AMS, cerebral edema can lead to:

Altered mental status
Confusion
Drowsiness similar to alcohol
Coma and death if not promptly diagnosed and treated (within 24 hours)

In populated areas with access to medical care, HACE can be treated with supplemental oxygen and dexamethasone. In remote areas, initiate descent for anyone suspected of having HACE, in conjunction with dexamethasone and oxygen, if available. If descent is not feasible, supplemental oxygen or a portable hyperbaric device, in addition to dexamethasone, can be lifesaving. Coma is likely to ensue within 12–24 hours of the onset of ataxia in the absence of treatment or descent.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

HAPE is characterized by progression of symptoms over 1-2 days

Reduced exercise tolerance
Exertional dyspnea, and cough, followed by dyspnea at rest
Cyanosis
Productive cough with pink frothy sputum
Oxygen saturation values of 50%–70% are common.

Can rapidly progress to

Bronchospasm
Myocardial infarction
Pneumonia
Pulmonary embolism

Immediate descent from high altitude is almost always necessary. If immediate descent is not an option, use of supplemental oxygen or a portable hyperbaric chamber is critical.

Patients with mild HAPE who have access to oxygen (e.g., at a hospital or high-elevation medical clinic) might not need to descend to a lower elevation and can be treated with oxygen over 2–4 days at the current elevation. In field settings, where resources are limited and there is a lower margin for error, nifedipine can be used as an adjunct to descent, oxygen, or portable hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Descent and oxygen are much more effective treatments than medication.

Risk factors for altitude sickness include:

Traveling to the area too fast, not allowing the body to acclimate (allow 3-5 days gradual ascending to destination). This puts you at a lower risk for altitude illness than those who arrive at the higher altitude without allowing the body to acclimate.
Genetics may play a role; this is still unclear how or if it does.
Age, sex, physical fitness or training does not preclude one from altitude illness.

Be prepared- don’t let high altitude illness ruin your trip

Start slow- Slow ascent- over a period of 3-5 days can help the body acclimate to the altitude. The Wilderness Medical Society recommends avoiding ascent to a sleeping elevation of ≥9,000 ft (≈2,750 m) in a single day; ascending at a rate of no greater than 1,650 ft (≈500 m) per night in sleeping elevation once above 9,800 ft (≈3,000 m); and allowing an extra night to acclimatize for every 3,300 ft (≈1,000 m) of sleeping elevation gain.

Prevention through medication- With rates of altitude illness reach as high as 53 percent of travelers, medication such as acetazolamide can prevent or curb altitude sickness and should be in every high-altitude travelers medical preps.

According to the CDC, side effects to acetazolamide are rare, however, seek medical attention if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

With the add-on acetazolamide to your Jase Case, you can prevent or lessen the time away from the slopes. Be sure to have this valuable medication with you when you travel to high altitudes.

Acetazolamide can also treat glaucoma (acute angle-closure).

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Order Today

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Looking for the Most Complete Medical Kit? Look No Further

As Jase continues to make waves in the medical preparedness community, we have historically been on the cutting edge of customer service, medication selection and innovation, delivering the highest quality product to our valued customers.

Jase Daily, launched last year, was a pivotal turn in our preparedness model for our patients. By providing a years’ worth of chronic medications for our patients, we provide a buffer from the ongoing supply chain disruptions and drug shortages.

We aren’t stopping there. Over the coming months, we will be adding more products and services to our already extensive medical line of products.

Jase Medical continues to lead.

Some of the ways we continue to serve you and your family with your medical preparedness needs are:

Bioterrorism

Our Jase Case carries enough antibiotics for a bioterror event. Bioterrorism is defined as deliberate release of bioweapons to cause death or disease. They may be developed or used as part of a government policy in biological warfare or by terrorist groups or criminals. This is a very real threat as we move through 2024 and beyond. Doxycycline is the first line of antibiotics usually given in the event of a bioterrorism event. Anthrax, for example, is a widely known bioterror agent. The dose and course of treatment recommended is 100 mg, 1 tablet every 12 hours for 60 days. That works out to 120 tablets. Our Jase Case contains 120 of the 100 mg tablets. We are the only medical preparedness group that delivers that kind of protection.

Add on medications to customize your kit

Add medications tailored to your unique needs and situation. We continue to add to our formulary. Our selection of cases provides the most common medications for each situation.

For instance, our Traveler kit contains medication for giardia (a very common parasite), bioterrorism, urinary tract infections, and more. This well-equipped case can be rounded out with specific medications according to where your travels may take you. From motion sickness meds, pain relievers, allergy, and asthma medications (including epi pens), and even cream for common rashes; are just of few of the medications you can add to your kit.

Take a look at the Student Kit. This would make a valuable addition for the back-to-school college student in your family.

Protect you and your family from drug shortages with Jase Daily

Turn your computer/phone/pad on and it is glaringly obvious that our world is changing. And not for the better. Severe weather (record breaking cold, earthquakes, tornadoes), global supply disruptions, the threat of imminent war, energy grid failure, cyberattacks have and will continue to unfold over the coming months. We are only halfway through January and our world has witnessed record breaking cold, terror attacks overseas, grid down events, like the one that recently happened over the weekend in the Seattle area (cause still not being disclosed) when natural gas lines went offline, threatening millions lives. We are only one event away from drug, medical supply and societal collapse. With a years supply of lifesaving medications that Jase Daily delivers, you can be assured that you and your family will be able to weather the coming storms as we move through 2024.

Place your trust in the original antibiotic kit

As Jase Medical enters its 4th year, we continue to uphold the integrity, value, and hard work of our team. Our highly qualified, board certified doctors and pharmacists and dedicated customer service team are here to assure you receive your medications as quickly as possible. Our high standards are unmet anywhere in the medical preparedness field. This is reflected in our exceptional customer reviews, citing outstanding customer service, prompt delivery and professionalism of our team. We continue to strive to make Jase even better, as we roll out ore products in the coming months. With the After Pay feature, you are assured that you can be covered for any emergency now, not in the future.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Order Today

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Leave the World Behind- Leave This Movie Behind

I subscribed to Netflix over New Year’s Eve to watch the viral movie “Leave the World Behind”.

The movie is loosely based on a 2020 novel written by Rumaan Alam.

As someone in the preparedness world before the term” prepper” became popular, I feel qualified to critique this film.

I hold an amateur (ham) radio license, have trained in Ares (Amateur Radio Emergency System), was a home health nurse in some of the more remote areas of Central Idaho, lived off-grid for 3 years (we moved and are working towards off grid living again), attended wilderness medicine classes and have taught medical prep and food storage locally over the past 20 plus years. These qualifications give me a perspective that may not be popular, albeit a more accurate view of this film’s validity.

Here is a summary of this movie for those who haven’t seen it: Family rents an upscale home for a vacation. They live in New York, and the vacation home is on Long Island, not too far from NYC. At first, everything seemed idyllic. There is a pool, the home is nestled in the woods, and no nearby neighbors. The lights and internet are working. Over hours, the internet stops working. Late at night, the owner (George, or G.H.) of the house and his daughter arrive, stating New York is experiencing a blackout and asking to stay. Eventually, we learn that George has a high-ranking client in the Department of Defense who warned him of an impending cyberattack. We never learn who the official is and how George knows him; we only know that he is his client.

As the film progresses, the family encounters a series of events and encounters that show what NOT to do if/when a large-scale cyberattack hits a major city.

I have only listed a few discrepancies:

Excessive alcohol consumption. In the film, the adults are constantly drinking. Alcohol impairs the mind, dehydrates, and lowers immunity. These reasons alone are enough reason to limit or eliminate alcohol consumption during a grid-down scenario of any kind. Storing high-proof alcohol for making tinctures is a good idea, however.
Cigarette smoking- The wife purchases a pack of cigarettes for the husband “since they are on vacation”. The reality is that if someone has a nicotine addiction, either stock up or quit smoking immediately. Just like alcohol use, nicotine withdrawal during times of extreme stress isn’t ideal.
They waited too long to fill up the bathtub for water storage. A cyberattack can take out the controls and electricity in the municipal water system, leaving only a day or so for gravity-fed water to flow out of the faucets. And even then, the water could be contaminated or poisoned.

One sobering true-to-life example was the February 2021 cyberattack on the Oldsmar, Florida municipal water supply- twice in one day. Hackers attempted to increase the chemical sodium hydroxide, known as lye, to 100 times its normal levels. Cyberattacks on our water supply are the deadliest, potentially wiping out entire communities or towns. You can often not see or smell chemicals put into the water and could inadvertently drink the poisoned water. The EPA and other government agencies take this threat seriously and are working to prevent or mitigate these attacks.

Stock up on water, at least 3 gallons per person for a week, more if you have room.

The movie attributes the teenage son Archie’s teeth falling out to an infected bug or tick bite, causing Lyme disease. However, this storyline is not plausible. Lyme disease doesn’t cause vomiting or teeth to fall out. Archie did run a fever, however, indicating an infection.

It has been speculated that his teeth fell out because of sound warfare, like the 2016-2017 attack on Cuban Embassy where officials were exposed to weaponized microwaves.

According to the book’s storyline, Archie’s mother’s teeth also started loosening. (I haven’t read the book). The agonizing, undisclosed sound that pierced the ears and caused anguish to the families and was heard several times during the movie gives credence to this theory.

Prepper neighbor sells antibiotics- for $1,000.00. The prepper neighbor sells Archie’s dad some random antibiotics to save his son’s life. This is about the most ridiculous part of the entire movie. There was no information on the antibiotic and what it was effective against. Was it the correct dose? How often to take? Could Archie be allergic to the antibiotic? So many unanswered questions. Antibiotics aren’t to be given randomly. Each one has a specific mechanism of action and use. Don’t play Russian roulette with your family’s health.

Get the Jase Case, prescription antibiotics tailored to your and your family’s needs. It is only a matter of WHEN, not IF, a cyberattack will take down our fragile grid.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Order Today

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Does Your Sore Throat Need an Antibiotic?

Antibiotics don’t kill viruses; they kill bacteria, mold, or parasites.

They are lifesaving drugs when the need arises. However, overuse has led to antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that used to be effective with an appropriate antibiotic. Nowadays, we are facing a crisis of antibiotic resistance, leading many healthcare providers to use caution when prescribing antibiotics.

Some bacteria and mold have mutated and developed immunity to common antibiotics, leaving healthcare providers with fewer options. However, with judicious use, there are still several effective antibiotics available. Knowing when to use them and when to treat symptoms is essential.

This is especially true when dealing with a sore throat. While nothing can replace a healthcare provider visit and lab testing, some telltale signs can help determine if you need an antibiotic to treat your sore throat.

There may be a time soon, given all the worldwide unrest you won’t be able to visit your healthcare provider- staff shortage, cyber-attacks on their laboratory and computer systems, medical supply shortage (throat swabs, etc.).

Example of a viral infection leading to a bacterial infection

A viral infection can weaken the immune system and allow pathogenic, opportunistic bacteria to grow. This is called a secondary or coinfection infection. For example, a case of influenza (viral) can lead to mycoplasma pneumonia (bacterial) or even strep throat.

How can you tell the difference if you are without medical care? If medical systems and testing are not available, you must rely on exposure, symptoms, and susceptibility to infection to guide you.

To begin with, let’s look at the difference between a bacterial, fungal, and viral infection.

Bacterial Infection

Bacteria are single-cell organisms that can live in diverse (many different) environments- in soil, air, almost anywhere. (see below) Most are not disease-causing.

Disease-causing bacteria are called pathogenic bacteria. Pathogenic bacteria invade and reside in the host (human or animal) and can cause illness.

Common bacterial infections include:

Strep throat (causes sore throat)
Cellulitis (commonly caused by group B strep)
Lyme disease (transmitted via tick bite)
Urinary tract infections
Bacterial meningitis (caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group B Streptococcus, Neisseria meningitis, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli)
Staphylococcus aureus – the most common form of healthcare facility-related infections

Less common but a public health threat is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis or TB).

Fungal Infection

Fungus are eukaryotic (with a nucleus) organisms that are either single cells, such as yeast, or molds, which are a collection of cells that form long, thin, hairlike threads called hyphae. Just like bacterial infections, they can live almost anywhere: air, surfaces, etc.(see below)

Symptoms of strep throat

(need antibiotics)

Fever
Pain when swallowing
Sore throat that can start very quickly and may look red
Red and swollen tonsils
White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils
Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth, called petechiae
Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
Strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever

Note: It is crucial to take an entire course of antibiotics, stay home from work or school until you no longer have a fever, AND have taken antibiotics for at least 12 hours.

The following symptoms suggest a virus is causing the illness instead of strep throat:

Cough
Runny nose
Hoarseness (changes in your voice that make it sound breathy, raspy, or strained)
Conjunctivitis (also called pink eye)

If a virus is the cause of a sore throat, antibiotics will not help.

Fungal (candida, oral thrush)

(need antibiotics)

Candidiasis is an infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida. Candida usually lives on the skin and inside the body, in places such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, without causing any problems. Candida can multiply and cause an infection if the environment inside the mouth, throat, or esophagus changes in a way that encourages fungal growth.

Candidiasis in the mouth and throat:

White patches on the inner cheeks, tongue, roof of the mouth, and throat
Redness or soreness
Pain while eating or swallowing
Cracking and redness at the corners of the mouth

You are at risk for developing Candida if you:

Wear dentures
Have diabetes
Have cancer
Have HIV/AIDS
Take antibiotics or corticosteroids, including inhaled corticosteroids
Take medications that cause dry mouth
Smoke

Treatment

Candidiasis in the mouth, throat, or esophagus is treated with antifungal medicine. The treatment for mild to moderate infections in the mouth or throat is usually an antifungal medicine applied to the inside of the mouth for 7 to 14 days. These medications include clotrimazole, miconazole, or nystatin. The most common treatment for severe infections is fluconazole (an antifungal medication) taken by mouth or vein.

Common fungal infections include:

Candidiasis- throat, mouth (causes sore throat)
Candidiasis-vaginal can lead to urinary tract infection
Nail fungus
Ringworm
Aspergillosis
Blastomycosis
Candida Aureus (C.aureus)

Viral Infection

Viruses are tiny (much smaller than bacteria) parasitic microorganisms that feed off living cells or tissue in the body. Viruses can quickly spread from one person to another through the same routes as bacteria and fungi. (see below)

Common viral infections include:

Influenza (can cause sore throat)
Common cold (can cause sore throat)
Covid 19 (can cause sore throat)
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) (can cause sore throat)
Hepatitis
Viral pneumonia (can impair the immune system, leading to bacterial infection)
Viral meningitis
Chickenpox

How bacteria, mold, and viruses are transmitted (how they infect the body)

Droplets or aerosol (cough or sneeze)
Body fluids (infected wound -bacterial or sexual contact- both bacterial and viral)
Tick bites
Bug bites
Contact with contaminated surfaces (faucets, sharing utensils or cups, towels or personal items)
Eating or drinking contaminated food or water
Dust or decaying matter
Nosocomial (hospital origin)

A robust immune system can prevent bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. Susceptible people are those being treated for cancer, the very young, the elderly, diabetics, and anyone with impaired immune function.

How to tell if your sore throat needs an antibiotic.

Most sore throats are caused by a virus, such as a cold or flu, and do not require an antibiotic—other common causes of a sore throat- strep throat and oral candidiasis (thrush), require antibiotics.

Symptoms and Treatment of Sore Throats

The following is only a guideline in the event there is no medical care available. In addition, consult your healthcare provider for guidance and advice.

According to the CDC, most sore throats, except strep throat and candidiasis, do not need antibiotics.

Sore throat pain relief

Suck on ice chips, popsicles, or lozenges (do not give lozenges to children younger than 4 years).
Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer.
Gargle with salt water.
Drink warm beverages and plenty of fluids.
Use honey to relieve cough for adults and children at least 1 year or older.
Over-the-counter symptom and pain relievers.

Warm/hot water with honey, ginger, and lemon drink can reduce phlegm and soothe the throat lining. In addition, ginger has proven antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Jase Case with add-ons have you covered, with antibiotics and pain relievers for sore throats and many other types of infections.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Order Today

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

Understanding shelf life and expiration dates- What’s the difference?

Jase Case and Jase add-ons storage guidelines

Jase Case

Jase Case add-ons

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Lifesaving Medications

Recent Posts

Join Our Newsletter

Sources of indoor air pollutants

Furniture and building materials

Other indoor sources – VOCs

Biological agents

Monitor and aim for between 30 and 50% moisture in home

Have your home tested for radon

According to the CDC:

The CDC goes on to report:

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Lifesaving Medications

Recent Posts

Join Our Newsletter

Altitude Illness

There are three types of altitude illness syndromes

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Lifesaving Medications

Recent Posts

Join Our Newsletter

Some of the ways we continue to serve you and your family with your medical preparedness needs are:

Bioterrorism

Add on medications to customize your kit

Protect you and your family from drug shortages with Jase Daily

Place your trust in the original antibiotic kit

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Lifesaving Medications

Recent Posts

Join Our Newsletter

I subscribed to Netflix over New Year’s Eve to watch the viral movie “Leave the World Behind”.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Lifesaving Medications

Recent Posts

Join Our Newsletter

Example of a viral infection leading to a bacterial infection

Bacterial Infection

Common bacterial infections include:

Fungal Infection

Symptoms of strep throat

Treatment

Viral Infection

How to tell if your sore throat needs an antibiotic.

Symptoms and Treatment of Sore Throats

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Lifesaving Medications

Recent Posts

Join Our Newsletter

Recent Posts