Expires 04/01/2021

Specialty Pharmacy

Your partner in navigating the ins and outs of prescriptions — at no extra cost.

Alto Pharmacy Technician

Alto Pharmacist

Our mission at Alto is to fulfill medicine’s true purpose — to improve quality of life — for everyone who needs it.

Services that reduce travel and encourage social distancing are now more essential than ever, not only for vulnerable populations but all of us as members of our communities. Alto’s free same-day doorstep delivery ensures you have safe and reliable access to medications in this time of uncertainty. 

Hear first-hand from members of the Alto technology teams.

Alto / Blog

At Alto, we believe that staying on top of your health should be as simple as possible. Here’s how we’re applying this philosophy to feeling our best this winter and creating healthy habits that we can cultivate all year long. 

Alto’s Guide to Wellness in the New Year

It’s easy to feel jaded about setting health goals for the new year. We often enter January with optimism and big intentions, only to find our new habits slipping within days or weeks. But let’s not give up on our health goals altogether. The sense of renewal at the start of the year can be a powerful motivator—provided we don’t saddle ourselves with unreasonable expectations and an “all-or-nothing” attitude. 

At Alto, we believe that staying on top of your health should be as simple as possible. That’s why we built a pharmacy that delivers medications and expert advice directly to you. Here’s how we’re applying this philosophy to feeling our best this winter and creating healthy habits that we can cultivate all year long. 

According to U.S. News & World Report, 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by mid-February. It’s not that we’re incapable of making meaningful changes. It’s that the way we’re accustomed to making resolutions doesn’t set us up for success. 

If you haven’t been exercising at all during quarantine, setting a goal to work out for an hour every day may not be practical. Instead, behavioral scientist, Susan Weinschenk Ph.D., outlines three critical steps for building new habits that stick: start with a small and specific action, tie it to an existing habit, and make it easy to accomplish during the first week. 

Rather than saying you’ll “exercise more” or become a hardcore workout enthusiast overnight, resolve to enjoy your morning coffee while walking, then increase your daily walk by ten minutes the next week. When you anchor your intention to an existing action, you give your brain a natural cue to put it into practice. And since the key to solidifying your new habit is repetition, starting with an easy action will create self-trust and allow you to expand on your goal over time. 

During the darker winter months, you may find your mood dropping along with the temperature. According to the Mayo Clinic, these seasonal bouts of melancholy are likely related to reduced exposure to sunlight, which can upset your circadian rhythm and cause serotonin (the “happy hormone”) levels to dip. 

To combat the effects of winter depression, try to keep your home as bright as possible by keeping curtains and blinds open and sitting closer to well-lit windows when you can. Be sure to spend some time outside every day, even if the weather is cold or the sky is grey. The morning is an especially potent time to get outside and walk around. 

Though it is tempting to go into full hibernation mode, excess sleep can make the issue worse. Try to stick to your usual sleep schedule and get some form of physical activity every day. If you find that your appetite and sleep patterns are adversely affected, or your symptoms interfere with your daily responsibilities, reach out to your doctor or a mental health professional. There are treatments available that can help make the seasonal shift much more manageable. 

Despite your best intentions, your health goals can become sidelined by the season’s viral villains: the common cold and flu. Neither is curable, so a solid prevention strategy is your best bet for staying well. Getting your annual flu shot and following COVID-19 precautions such as wearing a mask and social distancing will undoubtedly help, but your last line of defense is your immune system. 

Experts at the Cleveland Clinic recommend incorporating immune-boosting foods into your winter menu to help your body dispatch any seasonal invaders. Fill your grocery cart with a wide range of colorful fruits and vegetables to ensure you consume a full arsenal of antioxidants. Be sure to stock up on raw garlic, which contains antiviral compounds, along with vitamin-C-rich foods like citrus fruits, peppers, broccoli, and kiwis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to succumb to sickness after being exposed to a virus. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night to support healthy infection-fighting antibodies and cells. We’ve compiled these tips for getting the nightly rest you need when sleep is elusive.

Unfortunately, no matter how many antioxidant-rich foods you eat, it’s not always possible to avoid coming down with a cold or flu. If you can’t stomach one more raw garlic clove and you’re simply feeling miserable, over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help ease your symptoms and reduce the amount of time you feel knocked off your feet. 

Here are the medications our pharmacists recommend to help you feel better fast.

Not sure why you’re feeling so sick? Read “Cold, Flu, or COVID-19? Your Seasonal Symptom Guide” for clues. If you think you may have symptoms of COVID-19, it’s important to avoid contact with others and call your medical provider right away. 

When you’re sick, your nose can alternately feel like a leaky faucet and a blocked pipe. If you have nasal or sinus congestion, a decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine, can help. For a runny nose or postnasal drip, an antihistamine may do the trick. 

Just keep in mind that antihistamines may make you drowsy, while decongestants may keep you awake. Decongestants come in both oral and spray or drop form. If you’re considering a nasal spray or drops, don’t use them for more than three days in a row, or you may end up even stuffier than you were before (due to a condition called rebound congestion). 

If you’re taking other medications, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a decongestant or antihistamine. Adverse interactions are possible with some medications, such as those that treat heart disease. If you’re an Alto customer, simply reach out by phone, text, or in-app chat, and one of our pharmacists can help determine which medicine may be right for you.

A raw, scratchy throat is often the first painful signal that a cold or flu is coming on. However, it could also be a sign of something more serious, such as a streptococcus bacterial infection (strep throat). Talk with your doctor if the pain in your throat is persistent, severe, or if you have trouble swallowing. For milder soreness, over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help.

Medicated lozenges and gargles that contain oral anesthetics/analgesics such as phenol and benzocaine are also available. These products can provide temporary pain relief for your throat. Just don’t use them for more than a few days in a row. You want to remain aware of whether the pain is progressing and may need a doctor’s attention.  

Coughing from time to time is your body’s way of clearing out your lungs. But constant coughing can be a nuisance at best and pretty painful at worst. 

If your cough is wet, you’ll need an expectorant, which will help to loosen mucus in your chest and throat. Guaifenesin is the active ingredient in OTC cough syrups designed to clear congestion from your airways. 

For a dry cough that just won’t quit, look for a cough suppressant, also known as an antitussive. Cough suppressants help to relieve your cough by blocking the cough reflex. A common antitussive ingredient you’ll see on the shelf is dextromethorphan. 

Though fevers aren’t fun, they’re actually an encouraging sign that your immune system is mobilizing to fight off an infection. According to the Mayo Clinic, except for very young or old individuals, generally healthy people don’t need to take medication to lower their temperature if it’s under 102 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you’re feeling uncomfortable, a pain-and-fever reducer like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with your fever and also soothe muscle aches. 

For When It All Hits You Like a Ton of Bricks

Of course, coming down with a cold or flu is often so unbearable because it brings on a slew of uncomfortable symptoms all at once. Rather than keeping a pile of medications on hand, you can seek out one of the many multi-ingredient “cold and flu” medicines.  

These all-in-one options seem to have endless variations. In reality, they all contain different combinations of the four ingredients we’ve covered: decongestants, pain and fever reducers, cough suppressants, and expectorants. Once you know which basic components to look for, you will notice that there is really no difference between brand name and generic versions of these medicines—except that the generic version is often much cheaper. 

Just keep in mind that combination cold and flu medications often have more ingredients than you need to treat your symptoms, putting you at greater risk of side effects and overdosing. Make a note of the active ingredients in every OTC medication you take and never double up on medications containing the same ones. If only one symptom is truly bothering you, it’s best to stick to medicine that only relieves that specific discomfort. 

When in doubt, talk to your pharmacist. The team at Alto is on call to discuss which medications will be most effective and safe. We’re available from 9 am - 9 pm PT Monday - Friday, and 10 am - 6 pm PT on weekends; download the mobile app for secure messaging, or call or text 1-800-874-5881.

Remember—keep wearing your mask and social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It will also help keep you safe from catching a cold and flu. Get plenty of sunshine, prioritize sleep, and spice up your meals with immune-boosting foods. With these precautions in place, we hope you’ll be enjoying a healthy winter season ahead. 

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

We were honored to sit down with Dr. Hildreth to discuss the challenges and opportunities we are facing at this pivotal moment in history. In addition to recounting his inspiring personal story, he shared many profound insights about the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of American healthcare. 

The COVID-19 Vaccine & Racial Disparities in Healthcare: A Q&A with Dr. James Hildreth

In August, we announced that Dr. James Hildreth had joined our newly formed Advisory Board as one of its first two anchor members. Dr. Hildreth’s extensive healthcare expertise has been invaluable as we’ve sought to guide Alto into the future and continue reimagining the pharmacy experience. 

A Fascinating Chat with Dr. James Hildreth

Dr. Hildreth is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Meharry Medical College—one of the nation’s oldest and largest historically Black academic health sciences centers. He is internationally renowned for his decades of influential HIV research and is deeply entrenched in our current global health challenge as a member of the FDA’s COVID-19 Vaccine Review Committee.

Can you tell us about your background and professional journey?

I grew up in a small town in Arkansas. It was one of those towns where if the two traffic signals were synchronized, you could drive right through and not even notice it. My father passed away when I was eleven years old. Quite honestly, because we were poor and Black, my father received very little medical attention. That was what prompted me to become interested in medicine.

I had no role models to look to, so I went to the library and read books about medicine. At age thirteen, I read a series of books that ranked your chances of getting into various medical schools. One of the universities was head and shoulders above all the rest, so my life’s work became getting into Harvard University.

To make a long story short, I got scholarships to Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Yale, Stanford, and many other places. But because my research had shown that Harvard was the place to go, that’s where I went. I got a job at the medical school, and the professor who ran the lab was also from Arkansas. He took me under his wing, and suddenly I wanted to be an immunologist. 

It was too late to change my major, but I was hooked. I applied for and was awarded a Rhodes scholarship in 1978, becoming the first Rhodes scholar from Arkansas who was Black. I got my Ph.D. in Immunology then went to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. 

I planned to become a transplant surgeon until I met my very first patient. She was an African American woman with HIV who had just given birth to a baby who also tested positive. At the time, all we could do was watch them die, and that impacted me deeply enough to change my trajectory. I became an HIV researcher, and I have been studying HIV for the last thirty-eight years. 

I have been President of Meharry Medical College for five years. I feel that my life has come full circle because Meharry’s mission is to give opportunities to individuals who otherwise wouldn’t have them. 

Can you tell us more about Meharry’s mission?

Meharry was founded in 1876, but the story is that in 1826, a young, white teenage boy named Samuel Meharry was driving his salt wagon in the backwoods of Tennessee. His wagon got stuck in the mud, so he knocked on the door of a nearby cabin. An African American family greeted him, gave him a place to stay for the night, and helped him on his way. He promised them that if he ever had any resources, he would do something for Black people. 

Sure enough, fifty years later, he and his four brothers made a gift to a central Tennessee college to start a medical department for African Americans. That department evolved into Meharry Medical College.

To be leading an organization whose purpose is to give opportunities to people who look like me makes me feel that my life has come full circle. Meharry is one of four Black medical schools in the country, and without us, the face of medicine in this country would look very different. We are very proud of our mission and I’m so happy to be leading the organization at this time. 

Given that you’re on the FDA’s Vaccine Review Committee for COVID-19, what is your perspective on how we’ve handled the pandemic to date?

It’s hard to avoid acknowledging how politics have devastated our response to this pandemic. Viruses don’t respect borders, especially when you’re dealing with a pandemic virus. We should have had a nationwide response from the very beginning. Ideally, the whole country should have shut down for several weeks. That would have saved tens of thousands of lives.

What are your thoughts on how the pandemic might unfold going forward?

In my opinion, we’re entering a frightening period because we’re at the base of an exponential rise in cases. It’s essential to understand that for every case we diagnose, there are probably four, if not eight, cases that go undiagnosed. Many people don’t know they have the virus and are spreading it. 

Our country represents four percent of the global population but twenty percent of the people who are dying. That’s unimaginable to me. When you’re dealing with an airborne pathogen that can be transmitted so easily, it is unacceptable and unethical not to have stronger leadership and mandates in place. 

Can you share any insights on potential vaccines and vaccine distribution?

I’m on the FDA committee that will review the data from the drug companies and make recommendations about approval. In a couple of weeks, we will review the Pfizer vaccine. I can tell you that the data from both Moderna and Pfizer are very compelling. Both vaccines appear to be highly effective.

Neither of these vaccines is what we’d call a “sterilizing vaccine,” They will not prevent a person from getting infected, but they will limit the amount of disease that occurs after infection. The other exciting aspect of these vaccines is that they represent a new type: messenger RNA vaccines. Rather than using a protein for the vaccine, we’re using a message that encodes for the protein. There was some doubt if this new type of vaccine would work in humans, but it does. This development will facilitate future vaccines quite nicely. 

By the spring of next year, there will likely be two vaccines approved for use. The question is: who will get those first forty million doses that become available? Healthcare workers will probably get them first, then people in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Many experts, myself included, are trying to make the case that those most vulnerable to disease and death should be next in line. The CDC has already worked with the states to develop distribution plans, but they are not in line with that thinking. There are going to be a lot of intense discussions in the coming weeks. 

What are the healthcare topics that get you most excited—or keep you up at night—right now?

The pandemic has revealed something that minority healthcare professionals have known for a long time: there is a wide gap in the health status of Americans. If you are African American or Latinx and live in certain communities, you are much more likely to have certain chronic conditions. This increased risk is related to your zip code, educational attainment, where you work, and what your job might be, but running through all of this is an underlying current of racism. 

We can’t solve the problem until this country has a necessary conversation about the role of racism in every domain of American life. I like the way that Martin Luther King put it. He said that when you have centuries of neglect, suppression, oppression, or denial, there is an interest that accumulates. The answers to these problems are going to be much more expensive and time-consuming than if we had been dealing with them all along. 

No matter what industry we’re in, all of us need to have tough conversations about what race really means. Take, for example, the sequencing of human genomes. African genomes are the ancestral genomes—all of us can link our humanism back to Africa. But of all the hundreds and thousands of genomes that have been sequenced, very few of them come from folks who look like me. 

It’s the same as my experience in medical school in the 1980s. We learned to treat the average, middle-aged white male because that’s who the studies were centered on. The exclusion of certain groups from clinical trials, programs, and conversations has created a wide gap that we now have to close. We need to have every healthcare institution at the table trying to work on it.

On a positive note, as the pandemic reveals these disparities, many organizations are awakening to the fact that there is work to be done. I’m encouraged by what happened after we witnessed the senseless murder of George Floyd. It was a really painful time for me because that could have been me, my son, or my brother. It could have been any one of us. But the response that we witnessed wasn’t just from African Americans and liberals. It seemed to me that people of all different backgrounds and races came together to say that this is unacceptable. It gave me some hope that we can change this and become a better nation.

What opportunities do you see for Alto in the world of healthcare?

I think Alto has a great opportunity to improve people’s quality of life who need to take medications to improve their health status. Before she passed, my mother would complain about how difficult it was to get her prescription medications. The ability to simplify and improve the process for everyone will positively impact a significant population of people. 

I was humbled that you asked me to be in your advisory group. I’m excited about what you’re doing, and I think it’s going to make a big difference for many people. 

As we approach the holidays, I’d like to share something I’ve told my students. The last thing you want to do is create a situation where this is the last holiday you’ll spend with some of your older relatives. Please be mindful that there is a lot of the virus out there, wherever you are in the United States. Please take steps to protect yourselves and your families. Have a wonderful holiday, but if you can, make it virtual.

Note: This interview was conducted in early December 2020. 

From enjoying a holiday staycation to finally tackling a long-awaited project, here are ten ways we can make the most of being stuck home for the holidays.

The Unexpected Benefit of Being Stuck Home for the Holidays

Our holiday cheer has taken a hit this year. We’ve found ourselves stringing up lights on the heels of a country-wide surge in COVID-19 infections. The CDC has advised that the safest way to celebrate the holidays is with members of our own households. We’d already reckoned with the loss of office holiday parties and made peace with socially-distanced Santa, but the idea of confining our holiday festivities to our own four walls has taken some time to sink in. 

We won’t pretend it will be easy to wish loved ones “Happy Holidays” from afar. Yet, if the true spirit of the season is rooted in togetherness, what better way to honor it than protecting those we love and our community at large? 

After all, there might be benefits to skipping this year’s daylong road trip to mom’s house and no longer feeling obligated to attend an endless list of holiday soirees. When have we ever ended a year with so much extra time? From enjoying a holiday staycation to finally tackling a long-awaited project, here are ten ways we can make the most of being stuck home for the holidays.

Take a day to give your home space an upgrade. Moving around the furniture can be surprisingly impactful, but won’t send you running to the store or blowing your budget.

Use this time to learn a new skill or delve into a topic that intrigues you. For best results, choose a class that you can complete over the course of several days. You might try Harvard and MIT founded edX, which lists free courses from top-ranked universities. To flex your creative muscles and learn a new craft, try Skillshare, which offers a Premium membership but also thousands of free classes. 

If you’re craving a couch marathon, but feel like you’ve watched the entire TV lineup over the past several months, consider revisiting an old favorite and looking for details you’ve never noticed before. 

Remind yourself that this current reality is temporary and one day we’ll be free to travel again. Plan the first trip you’d like to take, giving yourself time to really explore your ideal location in-depth. 

Not your ideal holiday activity? Well, consider this: if you’re anything like the majority of us, the backs of your cabinets could hold items you haven’t seen in years. You’re almost certain to uncover a few surprises. 

If you’ve ever thought longingly about a weekend of yoga and meditation, creative writing and painting, or connecting with nature, this may finally be your moment. Simply choose a time frame, plan a gentle agenda, and prep your meals ahead of time. Don’t forget to let loved ones know that you’re trying to unplug, so you can keep calls and texts to a minimum.

Why not devote some time to your favorite housemate this holiday season? The challenge of working out the trick is a great bonding experience, provided you use plenty of patience and positive reinforcement. For some great tips, check out this article on Dogster. 

Whether you go for classic (Monopoly), wholesome (Candyland), quick-thinking (Taboo), or hilarious (What Do You Meme?), a night of games with your family, partner, or roommates is sure to entertain. If you live alone or want to include more people in the fun, set up a virtual game night. Many popular games have online versions you can use. 

Have you dreamed of visiting the Smithsonian or wandering the halls of the Louvre? Many of the most famous museums in the world now offer online tours that will make you feel like you’re in the room.

Whether you choose to spend your time being productive or relaxed, on a set schedule or simply winging it, there’s one activity we don’t recommend: going to the pharmacy. If you have new prescriptions or refills to pick up, there’s no need to drive to the pharmacy and wait in line. Instead, leave your prescriptions to us and cue up the next module in your online course or episode of TV. We’ll hand-deliver your medications right to your door, then stay on call to answer your questions and provide support. It’s the gift of time—all year long.

We’re wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season. 

When the pandemic hit, we were thankful to already be in the position to make a meaningful difference for Alto’s working parents. Our Working Parents & Allies Employee Resource Group (ERG) was formed at the beginning of 2020. 

Supporting Working Parents at Alto

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the shutdown of schools, offices, and daycare programs this year, working parents have been expected to accomplish Herculean feats of focus. Many parents spend their waking hours with one eye on their computer screens and the other on their children, all while coordinating remote learning, nap times, and video conferences. 

Those who continue to work outside the home must navigate the unpredictable availability of childcare services. Anything from new shutdown orders to a caretaker forced to quarantine can mean a lapse in care. A recent study found that 33% of working parents had no access to childcare at all, a percentage twice as large as in pre-pandemic times. 

At Alto, we serve thousands of working parents, including many who are juggling caring for their children and aging parents. Just as we support them by delivering a better pharmacy experience, we also want to support the hundreds of heroic parents working at Alto and caring for our customers every day. 

ERGs are meant to empower community groups within an organization by directly linking decision makers and implementing policies that support the group’s specific needs. The groups often center around a shared identity or experience and focus on building community, providing support, and contributing to its members’ personal and professional well-being. By creating an open forum for employees to come together, discuss challenges and opportunities, and foster a sense of belonging, ERGs help both individuals and organizations thrive. 

“Now more than ever it’s important to uplift and advocate for parents,” shares co-lead and mother Lidia Valdez. “The parenting landscape has shifted dramatically in 2020 but with the continued sense of community at Alto we can lean on one another for advice and support.” 

For more on how Alto fosters an inclusive culture and company, we invite you to read Diversity at Alto. 

The Mission of Alto’s Parent & Allies ERG

Alto’s Working Parents & Allies ERG came into being just before the pandemic began placing unprecedented demands on parents. It aims to provide an inclusive space for parents and allies to discuss how they’re feeling, speak openly about the challenges they’re facing, and request what they need from Alto. The ERG also helps parents remain informed and up-to-date on the policies and programs that are in place to support them. 

While the ERG’s first initiatives have centered upon providing pandemic-related support—from child care services to remote learning opportunities—these initiatives will continue to grow and evolve along with the needs of working parents at Alto. 

It was quickly apparent that Alto’s working parents—like parents everywhere—were overwhelmed with trying to manage the sudden shift to full-time, in-home childcare and schooling. The ERG responded by launching forums co-hosted by parents and the ERG leadership committee. These support groups were designed to create a safe space for parents and allies to share how they felt amidst a return to virtual learning in the Fall. Following the discussions, we launched a pilot program to offer immediate, tangible support. 

We began by inviting parents to opt into a program facilitating childcare services through UrbanSitter—a site that connects parents with trusted caretakers from their local communities. Interested parents received a stipend to cover membership fees and in-home or remote care costs. Whether parents needed support during a video conference or last-minute care after finding out their child’s daycare was closed, UrbanSitter could provide some relief.

We also rolled out a program with Outschool—a marketplace of live, online classes for students ages three to eighteen. Participating parents could access five hours of classes per week for free, allowing their children to explore interests ranging from math and music to filmmaking, coding, painting, and writing. With over 50,000 classes available, Outschool helps parents focus by keeping their kids engaged with fun, enriching activities. In the words of one Alto parent, “I really enjoyed Outschool for my kids. It’s such a good help; they are engaged and learning new things. Both my children and I love it!”

In addition, parents that needed hardware support for at-home distance learning were provided laptops at no cost. 

After a few months, we asked parents to provide feedback on the pilot program. We found that 71% of parents participated in the program, and 47% felt that the resources had made a positive impact on their lives or increased their ability to be productive and engaged at work. We’ll use this feedback to continue initiatives that have made a difference in the lives of Alto’s working parents while introducing new programs that can provide further support. 

The ERG leadership team also identified opportunities that would spark joy and support parents outside of the Alto community. “Working remotely can often feel isolating so we wanted to create instances for parents and their children to be recognized,” notes co-lead and parent Sandy Obeji. “In addition, we knew it would be important to extend this acknowledgement beyond parents at Alto.“

In October, we hosted a Halloween costume contest aimed at encouraging fun and creativity. Alto parents were invited to share photos of their kids in costumes, and prizes were awarded for the most unique, scariest, and funniest getups. Both adults and kids participated in choosing the winners, arguably providing more fun than a night of trick-or-treating. 

We also coordinated a Holiday Giveback Program to raise money for supplies and gifts for children and families in need during the holiday season. Alto employees were able to donate items to seven organizations—one for each Alto pharmacy location—virtually with the help of You Give Goods. In the end, we exceeded our fundraising goal and Alto matched the total donation to help make the holidays a little brighter for families across the country. 

Initiatives like these are just the beginning, and the Working Parents & Allies ERG has been collecting feedback that will guide our planning for 2021. In addition to extending access to several of the resources mentioned above, we are also exploring workshops for parents centered around current issues and events. 

There are plenty of reasons to believe that parents are superheroes, but that doesn’t mean we can expect them to perform superhuman tasks. Alto’s Working Parents & Allies ERG was created to help parents find much-needed balance and support during a tremendously difficult time. We look forward to seeing the group grow, aiding ongoing and future initiatives, and continuing to foster a culture where everyone feels included, valued, and supported. 

Interested in learning more about the Working Parents & Allies ERG? Reach out to parents@alto.com. 

Following prevention guidelines like mask-wearing, social distancing, and handwashing is still the surest way to stay safe. In addition, here are seven strategies to follow during the COVID-19 pandemic if you have asthma.

Seven Strategies for People with Asthma During COVID-19

As COVID-19 infection rates surge across the country, asthma is making its way into news headlines. Research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the end of November suggests that people with asthma may be at reduced risk of contracting the coronavirus. 

The researchers stressed that further study is needed, and possible explanations are still being explored. But the news may be welcome for people with asthma—a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation in the airways—who are facing an additional threat to their lungs from COVID-19, which primarily affects the respiratory system.  

This singular study is no reason to relax on preventative measures, however. The CDC has warned that those with moderate-to-severe asthma who do contract COVID-19 may be at a higher risk of serious complications, including asthma attacks, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress.

Following prevention guidelines like mask-wearing, social distancing, and handwashing is still the surest way to stay safe. However, in addition to doubling down on these efforts, here are seven strategies to follow during the COVID-19 pandemic if you have asthma:

Right now, prevention is still our best defense against serious illness from COVID-19. Though rising infection rates may mean that restrictions will tighten in the short term, eventually, the gradual phases of reopening will begin again. Remember that most reopening guidelines center on those who are not at a higher risk of COVID-19 complications. Anyone who is considered high risk due to age or an underlying medical condition, including moderate-to-severe asthma, should continue to take extra precautions as reopening in their area unfolds and adhere to the CDC’s recommendations for their specific condition. 

The coronavirus can survive on some surfaces for hours or even days; however, surface transmission does not seem to pose nearly as significant a risk as person-to-person contact. Nevertheless, the CDC advises cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly. 

This recommendation can present an issue for people with asthma. Many chemical sprays used to clean indoor spaces can trigger an asthma attack—a sudden onset of inflammation in the airways that can cause difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.  

If possible, ask someone else in your household to disinfect surfaces and objects for you. If you need to take care of it yourself, be sure to choose disinfectants that are less likely to trigger an asthma attack. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides recommendations for green cleaning products and includes asthma safety ratings. 

When using cleaners or disinfectants inside, open as many doors and windows as possible. Use only the amount of product recommended on the label and follow the instructions carefully. It can also help to use wipes or a dampened towel rather than a spray to avoid inhaling aerosols while cleaning. 

The CDC recommends keeping an emergency supply (30 days’ worth) of your asthma medications on hand so you don’t risk running out if you need to quarantine, become sick, or otherwise can’t make it to the pharmacy. 

If you fill your prescription with Alto, we want to assure you that we are fully prepared to deliver your asthma medications throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We offer free, contactless drop-offs with every single prescription, so you’ll receive your refills on time from the comfort and safety of home. 

There has been misleading information circulating online about inhaled corticosteroids (i.e. Flovent, Qvar, Pulmicort, and Asmanex)—a standard asthma treatment—possibly increasing the risk of contracting COVID-19. At the same time, other articles suggest ICS as a potential treatment for COVID-19. 

Experts are clear: there is not enough evidence to prove these assertions, and discontinuing treatment or misusing medications poses a real danger to people with asthma. If you have any concerns about your medications, continue to use them as prescribed, and reach out to your healthcare provider. Alto’s pharmacists are also on call to answer your questions by phone, text, or in-app chat. 

The symptoms of an asthma attack (wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing) bear some similarities to the emergency warning signs of COVID-19 (trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, and bluish lips or face)

If you’re experiencing asthma symptoms that do not respond to your treatment plan or symptoms that could indicate COVID-19 infection, seek immediate medical attention. For more information on the common symptoms of COVID-19 and other seasonal respiratory illnesses, read “Cold, Flu, or COVID-19? Your Seasonal Symptom Guide.” 

Find Ways to Cope with Stress and Anxiety

We are living in undoubtedly stressful times. Stress and strong emotions can be asthma triggers, so it’s essential to find ways to cope with anxiety during the pandemic and beyond. 

It’s impossible to avoid stress altogether, so don’t fall into a pattern of stressing about your stress. It’s much more helpful to regularly check-in with your emotional state and take steps to course-correct when you begin to become overwhelmed. 

Meditation, movement, healthy sleep habits, and social connection are effective ways to become more resilient during stressful situations. You might also consider practicing mindful breathing or another relaxation technique that you can use to calm your body and mind during a stressful situation. Your chosen method can be as simple as gradually lengthening and deepening your breathing or mentally telling each part of your body to relax. 

Leaning on the support of friends and family can help reduce stress and provide a sense of safety. However, if stress and anxiety become difficult to manage, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help. The CDC offers this list of resources for finding a counselor in your area. 

When it comes to medical advice, rely on your healthcare provider, not the internet. Our understanding of how the coronavirus works is changing every day, so falling down a rabbit hole of outdated information could cause unnecessary anxiety. Stick to reputable, timely sources like the CDC, and always consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

Our team of patient care pharmacists at Alto is also available to chat if questions come up. We’ll make sure that you’re always able to access the medications you need throughout COVID-19—with free home delivery. Reach out any time via text, phone call (1-800-874-5881), or in-app messaging.

Here’s our best advice for coping with the stress of uncertainty and keeping the spirit of the season alive from home. 

Staying Healthy During a Challenging Holiday Season

The holiday season has a way of stirring up equal parts stress and cheer. We eagerly anticipate cherished traditions and festive gatherings while taking on a dizzying array of tasks—from shopping to decorating to making travel plans. 

But this year, we’re not simply falling into familiar patterns of holiday stress. As experts urge us to limit holiday gatherings due to a new wave of COVID-19 infections, many of us are contemplating whether we should hold tight to our traditions or honor a simple holiday at home.  

The month of December is often rife with temptations to overcommit, overindulge, and overspend. This year, we have a rare opportunity to simplify our to-do lists and cut ourselves some slack. Rather than trying to do it all, find ways to incorporate your favorite traditions without piling on the stress. 

If you love the spirit of gift-giving but feel stressed about the financial burden, you might try crafting homemade presents or setting up a family gift exchange. Similarly, if you daydream all year about the holiday meal but feel hopeless about cooking it yourself, consider supporting a local restaurant offering your favorite dishes to-go. 

We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to create picture-perfect holidays. But our upcoming celebrations may look very different from past years. Challenge yourself to let this season be a little messy. Experiment with ways to keep your favorite traditions alive and cultivate the spirit of togetherness from afar.

Sure, you might burn your first attempt at grandma’s famous cookies, or your family video call might cut out, but try to see the beauty—and the humor—in this year’s small setbacks. After all, laughter has been shown to decrease stress hormones and positively impact overall health. 

The holidays coincide with the darkest days and coldest weather of the year. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder triggered by the winter gloom that can cause depression, fatigue, and social withdrawal, despite the season’s insistence on holiday cheer. 

If you find yourself with a case of the winter blues, research has shown that bright lighting can uplift your energy and mood. Try to expose yourself to sunlight every day. The sun’s rays stimulate the production of serotonin—a brain chemical known to increase feelings of happiness and well-being. 

You may also want to consider stringing up your holiday lights, even if you’re not expecting company. Psychology experts confirm that brightly colored lights and festive decorations can have a positive effect on our mood. 

It’s natural to feel a sense of loss over missed family traditions, but try not to dwell on what this holiday won’t have. Instead, focus your attention on what you’re thankful for this year. 

Expressions of gratitude cause our brains to release dopamine and serotonin, two mood-enhancing brain chemicals that promote feelings of pleasure and reduce stress. Whether you recount happy moments from your day or share appreciation for the people you encounter, remembering that good still exists during difficult times is a powerful stress reliever. 

Limiting this year’s holiday gatherings is one way to prioritize your and your loved ones’ health. However, it’s also essential to make time for self-care practices that reduce the physical effects of stress. 

In the short term, stress actually boosts the immune system. When our bodies are in fight or flight mode, we’re more prone to injuries that we need to heal quickly. It’s chronic stress that eventually puts enough strain on the body to have the opposite effect: increasing inflammation and reducing our ability to fight off infection. 

Make sure to get adequate sleep, stay active, and eat well. Not only will these habits help keep your immune system strong, but they also support physical and emotional resilience. A deep breathing practice can help you lower stress hormone levels and boost your resistance to infection. 

There are many deep breathing techniques, but the crucial element is to move beyond shallow chest breathing and allow the air coming through your nose to fill your lungs until your lower belly rises. You can practice while lying down or standing in line at the grocery store for an instant dose of relaxation.

Many of us are making difficult choices this holiday season. Just remember that we may be back to packed social calendars and travel itineraries by next year. The choices we make now will support many wonderfully chaotic holiday seasons to come. 

We want you to stay safe and avoid long pharmacy lines this holiday season, so we offer free, contactless delivery with every prescription. If you have questions, our team is available 9 am - 9 pm PT Monday - Friday, and 10 am - 6 pm PT on weekends; reach out via phone, text, or the app.

Staying Healthy During a Challenging Holiday Season 

The Disproportionate Impact of HIV in America

It has been a year full of seismic shifts. A series of core-shaking events ranging from a global pandemic to an upwelling of the Black Lives Matter movement has exposed deeply entrenched inequities in our society. 

We need only look at the statistics emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic to see these inequities at work. According to the CDC, Americans who are Black, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian, and Alaskan Native are nearly three times more likely to become infected with COVID-19 than white Americans and approximately five times more likely to be hospitalized due to infection. 

Rather than being an anomaly, studies have revealed a health gap between white Americans and Americans of color so wide that it has been named a public health crisis. This divide is perhaps most evident in the disproportionate impact of the HIV epidemic.

The Story of HIV, Told Through the Numbers

Advances in HIV treatment and prevention over the past several decades are reason to feel hopeful. The number of people infected with HIV each year has plummeted by more than two-thirds since the height of the epidemic in the 1980s, and we’ve dramatically transformed the outlook for those living with HIV. However, our efforts to combat the HIV epidemic have stalled in the face of a serious issue—HIV prevention and treatment are not accessible to everyone who needs them. 

According to the CDC, Black Americans are the most affected racial or ethnic group with a lifetime HIV risk of one in twenty for men and one in forty-eight for women (compared to an overall risk of one in ninety-nine for all Americans). Gay and bisexual Black men have been hit hardest of all: it’s estimated that if current infection rates continue, one in two will contract HIV in their lifetime. Gay and bisexual Hispanic/Latino men face a similarly distressing statistic, with an estimated one in four at risk of HIV infection. 

These numbers paint a bleak picture, yet Jonathan Mermin, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention, offers hope. “As alarming as these lifetime risk estimates are,” he says, “they are not a foregone conclusion. They are a call to action.”

There is a complex set of socioeconomic factors—such as income, housing, and occupation—that impact a person’s risk of contracting HIV and affect the quality of care they receive. In the United States, HIV infections are mainly concentrated in urban areas and among those of a lower socioeconomic status. 

Like COVID-19 and HIV, poverty rates in the United States reveal clear racial and ethnic disparities. The data shows that one in four Black Americans and Native Americans live in poverty and one in five Hispanics/Latinos. For white Americans, the number is one in ten. 

There are significant barriers to accessing quality healthcare for those living in poverty, including financial insecurity and fear of discrimination. Many services that help to decrease HIV transmission rates—such as prevention education, substance abuse counseling, STI treatment, and antiretroviral therapy (ART)—remain mostly out of reach for these communities. In this way, the people who are most vulnerable to HIV infection continue to face an ever-growing risk. 

An HIV diagnosis today is vastly different than it once was. With antiretroviral therapy (ART), a person living with HIV can suppress the virus and stop the progression of HIV disease. Not only will maintaining viral suppression help them stay healthy, but it also means they will have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to others. 

For those at risk of infection, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an HIV prevention method available by prescription, can virtually eliminate that risk. However, unless we ensure HIV prevention, testing, and treatment are widely available and affordable, we will continue to see tens of thousands of new infections year after year. 

Want to learn more about PrEP? We explain the basics in “All About PrEP for HIV Prevention.”

These are significant issues to tackle, but we can each do our part by talking with our doctors if we’ve never had an HIV test or if we think we may be at risk of infection. We can support organizations like NMAC and Black AIDS Institute that work to make HIV services more accessible to communities of color. And we can encourage our elected officials to help fight HIV through government funding and programs. 

Lastly, we should avoid perpetuating the fear and stigma that’s often associated with HIV. When we talk about HIV openly and neutrally, we help create a culture where everyone feels safe to seek testing and care. 

Looking for a supportive partner to help manage your HIV medications? We’re here for you. You can reach out and talk with an HIV specialist between 9 am - 9 pm PT Monday - Friday and 10 am - 6 pm PT on weekends; call or text 1-800-874-5881, or download the mobile app for secure messaging.

Managing your health during the pandemic is a long game. Here are five important heart health strategies to put into play during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your Heart Health Playbook During COVID-19

What We Know about Heart Health and COVID-19

We mostly hear about how COVID-19 affects the lungs. But any serious viral infection can put stress on the heart by forcing it to work faster and harder as the body mobilizes to defend itself. Even more troubling, COVID-19 infection can cause blood clots in the heart’s arteries or attack and weaken the heart muscle itself. 

Anyone who is already managing high blood pressure or heart disease should take the potential for damage to their cardiovascular system seriously. Just don’t let vigilance and caution spiral into fear. While the gravity of the link between COVID-19 and cardiovascular health should not be understated, there are proactive ways you can support your heart and protect yourself from infection. 

Remember—managing your health during the pandemic is a long game. It’s crucial that you continue to take your medications as prescribed and receive necessary medical care. With this in mind, here are five important heart health strategies to put into play during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Five Heart Health Strategies During COVID-19

For months now you’ve been wearing a mask, social distancing, and avoiding crowded areas whenever possible. We know it hasn’t been easy, but keep it up. According to Penn Medicine cardiologist Helene Glassberg, MD, “The number one thing is to continue what you're doing, which is staying at home when possible, practicing safe distancing, and seeking medical attention if you're having problems.” Dr. Glassberg also recommends exercising caution as states experiment with loosening restrictions, advising, “Stay the course for as long as you can to stay well.”

There have been conflicting news reports involving some blood pressure medications and COVID-19. Despite what you might have read, don’t stop taking your medications without consulting your doctor. Not only is that never a good idea, but several recent studies indicate that there is no cause for concern when it comes to these medications. 

The confusion stemmed from the fact that two common classes of blood pressure drugs, known as angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), affect the same pathways in the body that the coronavirus takes to reach the lungs and the heart. Multiple types of both medications are available—commonly prescribed ACE inhibitors include lisinopril, captopril, and benazepril, while common ARBs include losartan, valsartan, and azilsartan. 

For a while, experts were unsure if these shared pathways meant that these medications might either help or harm people with the virus. According to Harvard Health, three different studies have found no evidence of harm for people infected with COVID-19 who continue to take ACE inhibitors and ARBs. While there is still research to be done, experts recommend that people already taking these medications should continue to do so. 

The same advice goes for any medications or lifestyle interventions that your doctor has prescribed. If anything, it is more important than ever to remain diligent with your cardiac care plan and stay in communication with your doctor. 

The prospect of sitting in the waiting room at the doctor’s office can be anxiety-provoking right now. While avoiding the doctor might feel like a safe choice in the short-term, skipping your appointments or ignoring symptoms could mean putting yourself at risk of serious health issues like heart attack and stroke, and increasing the danger of complications should you be exposed to COVID-19. 

Talk with your doctor about what safety measures have been put in place to protect you from COVID-19 exposure during your visits. Together you can assess the risks and create a plan to continue monitoring your blood pressure and heart health. Telehealth, which allows you to meet with your doctor via phone or video, may be an option and is often covered by insurance. 

If you pair virtual doctor visits with free hand-delivery of your prescription medications through Alto, you can avoid both the waiting room and long lines at the pharmacy. Transferring your prescriptions to Alto is easy and free—we’ll take care of the work for you. We’ll ask you to choose a convenient delivery window, and one of our couriers will bring your medications straight to your door at no additional cost. We can even provide completely contactless delivery if you prefer. 

Don’t Drop the Ball on Your Healthy Habits

Even though we’ve been at it for months, staying motivated to keep up healthy habits from home can still be a struggle. The stress and anxiety so many of us are feeling right now may affect our energy levels or cause us to lose interest in our usual activities. When facing distressing news reports or personal hardship, it’s tempting to self-soothe in various unhealthy ways. It’s okay to indulge sometimes, but try not to slide too far into less healthy coping mechanisms for the sake of your heart and your emotional well-being.

Cooking heart-healthy meals at home can boost your overall wellness and serve as a creative outlet. The American Heart Association created this resource for making smart shopping choices on a budget and offers a library of recipes to suit any skill level or craving. Staying active is equally important. If you find it difficult to work out from home, try thinking outside the box of what you’d normally consider fitness. For example, giving your kitchen a good scrub will get your heart rate up, and seeing your countertops sparkle will most likely relieve some stress. If you prefer to keep it simple, a brisk walk around your neighborhood is an effective choice that can help you feel connected to your community from a safe distance. 

Unfortunately, heart attacks and strokes don’t take a break when a global pandemic strikes. Do not delay getting emergency medical care because you fear going to the emergency room due to COVID-19. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, even now, and the hospital is the safest place you can be if you think you are experiencing a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 immediately at the first sign of trouble—the American Heart Association offers this resource for identifying a heart attack or stroke. We also recommend reading our article, “Heart Health Warning Signs to Watch Out For.” 

We are fully prepared to deliver your heart medications safely and on time throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our pharmacy locations are stocked, our couriers are standing by, and our pharmacists are on-call to answer questions and assist with coordinating refills or requesting longer fills. We offer free, contactless delivery with every single prescription so you can rest easy at home knowing that everything you need is on its way. 

We are building a pharmacy where every patient matters and is included. To do that, we need to foster a culture and company that is committed to challenging existing racism, injustice and prejudice, in order to create a culture and service that is inclusive. 

Diversity At Alto: Building an Inclusive Healthcare Company and Culture

At Alto, we are redefining the pharmacy experience which has been part of a very old, broken way that has fueled systemic racism. We are building a pharmacy where every patient matters and is included. To do that, we need to foster a culture and company that is committed to challenging existing racism, injustice and prejudice, in order to create a culture and service that is inclusive.  Our team consists of committed and passionate individuals who champion to effect positive change on issues related to race, injustice and prejudice.

This passion for equality is what we strived for when we first set out to build a team with a broad representation of diversity. Our goal was to create a community that reflects an inclusive culture regardless of age, education, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or other dimensions of diversity. Yet even with the best of intentions we recognize that there is more work to be done to dismantle the systems and structures that fuel racism and inequity.

2020 has been a year like none other for so many.  HR professionals around the globe have stepped center stage to support our organizations, teams and communities in ways many of us could not imagine.  I wanted to write this post to share my personal journey on this topic while supporting others in capturing this moment.  I am a white gay cis man.  Many of my identities provide much privilege.  I am committed to educating myself. I am building an environment where our teams can push past their fears to learn and grow.

Blog

Alto’s Guide to Wellness in the New Year

The COVID-19 Vaccine & Racial Disparities in Healthcare: A Q&A with Dr. James Hildreth

The Unexpected Benefit of Being Stuck Home for the Holidays

Supporting Working Parents at Alto

Seven Strategies for People with Asthma During COVID-19

Staying Healthy During a Challenging Holiday Season

The Disproportionate Impact of HIV in America

Your Heart Health Playbook During COVID-19

Diversity At Alto: Building an Inclusive Healthcare Company and Culture

Get to Know Alto’s VP of Engineering, Mike McClay

88 Million Reasons to Support National Diabetes Month

Fertility Patient Story: Tiffany Shares Her Experience with Alto

Switch to a better pharmacy.