I was sent this by a co-worker a few weeks ago, seems like pretty good advice.
Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice
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, I feel makes a lot of sense
and is important for all to know.
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 (***known as a neti pot here in the U.S....available at CVS, Whole Foods etc)
(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.*
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.
