My friend Elizabeth sent me this and I thought I’d share it with you. It’s simple, straightforward, and makes a lot of sense:
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 sto ck 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.
posted October 23, 2009 at 2:34 am
Ugh – I don’t know if it’s H1N1 but despite all of my best precautions (I’ve been *scrupulous* about washing my hands and taking supplements – I’ve still ended up with a fever and a deep cough.
Amy, wondering how to have a charmed bout of the flu
posted October 23, 2009 at 11:29 am
Thank you, Victoria! I am going to follow this advice. I’m curious about the salt water solution. What is the salt to water ratio on that?
Thanks again!!
posted October 23, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Theresa,
I use a neti pot and usually just eyeball it in the same way my mom used to give me salt water to gargle with when I had strep throat as a kid.
In the neti pot I probably use 1/4 tea of sea salt and when I gargle I use at least 1 heaping tablespoon of salt per 8 ounces of warm water – maybe more. It was always my mom’s philosophy (and now mine) that salt is healing and you really want to get it back there and gargle away. I make my husband gargle with it now when he’s sick!
posted October 26, 2009 at 11:46 am
A well written article, very interesting. I certainly agree with ’1. Frequent hand-washing’
This online tutorial could accompany this article really well as it highlights the importance of washing and drying hands in order to reduce the spread of bacteria in an attempt to stay healthy – http://bit.ly/MMVMr
posted October 26, 2009 at 11:50 am
I’ve found that a good way to keep the nasal area irrigated is to use a squirt bottle; it’s easier to control the amount of water than using a neti pot.
However, when a cold was trying to get hold of me a few weeks ago, in addition to rest, liquids, etc., I also took the tonic Sambucus (aka Sambucol), which tastes good and rid me of the attempted cold in a few days. I was never severely congested or had coughing, so I dodged a bullet!
Last, a great way to keep hot drinks handy wherever you happen to be is to use an electric kettle, and a nice way to KEEP them hot is to use a mug warmer, both of which are mentioned at the following link:
http://jenesaisrein.blogspot.com/2009/10/keep-it-hot-to-fight-cold-and-flu.html
Here’s to feeling better this fall and winter season!