Some Prevention Tips for H1N1 Flu

Some Good Advice for this time of year..... My sister is a respiratory therapist and sent me this email today. It has some simple things we might not think about doing and could be very helpful.



> Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid
> specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked
> in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee
> Hospital , Tata Memorial etc. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear
> Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and
> Critical Centre, Malad (W).
>
> The following message given by him.
>
> ========================
> The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In
> a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming
> into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is
> not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
>
> While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1
> infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms,
> and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not
> fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced
> (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
>
> 1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official
> communications).
>
> 2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to
> touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
>
> 3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you
> don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the
> throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.
> Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt
> water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an
> infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful
> preventative method.
>
> 4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every
> day with warm salt water . Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or
> Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing
> the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds
> dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral
> population.
> Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store
> and relatively inexpensive..under $15.
>
> 5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in
> Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with
> Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
>
> 6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.
> Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the
> reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat
> into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
>
> I suggest you pass this on to your entire e-list. You never
> know who might pay attention to it -- and STAY ALIVE because of it.
>
>