Swine flu prevention...sage advice

[msmith]

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 (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.

(I might add that, if you don't want to purchase a neti pot or blow and swab, the drug stores carry a product called "Simply Saline". This is salt water in a pressurized can that can be thown in a purse or lunch box and used to irrigate your nostriles without having to wash a neti pot everytime you use it. msmith)


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.

[FinsnFur]

I read that exact thing somewhere, and ever since then I've been suffering severe burns to my mouth and face from flushing my nasal passages with hot salty coffee and tea.

Actually it's all real good advice, but I cant imagine anyone sane going through all of it.

Which reminds me, Alscalls, hows this working for you so far?  :roflmao:

[NASA]

[alscalls]

I read that exact thing somewhere, and ever since then I've been suffering severe burns to my mouth and face from flushing my nasal passages with hot salty coffee and tea.

Actually it's all real good advice, but I cant imagine anyone sane going through all of it.

Which reminds me, Alscalls, hows this working for you so far?  :roflmao:

I have stopped all treatment and am currently preparing for LBL where if you actually show, I am gonna give you a very uncomfortable hug of which you will have no choice in receiving.....

[msmith]

I read that exact thing somewhere, and ever since then I've been suffering severe burns to my mouth and face from flushing my nasal passages with hot salty coffee and tea.

Actually it's all real good advice, but I cant imagine anyone sane going through all of it.

Which reminds me, Alscalls, hows this working for you so far?  :roflmao:

I must not be sane...well, I know I'm not but, I actually do all of that. For years I have washed my hands a lot or rubbed them with alcohol gel, take vitamin C and zinc in the cold/flu season, drink coffee,  gargle Listerene at night when I brush my teeth, and, since I have allergies, sometimes flush my nostrils with saline to rinse out pollen and dust.

I have stopped all treatment and am currently preparing for LBL where if you actually show, I am gonna give you a very uncomfortable hug of which you will have no choice in receiving.....

After the Paladin dance and the Sponge Bob underwear incident, THAT could be interesting.

[FinsnFur]

Yeah, I would drops my shorts and moon him when I see him coming, but.... prolly not a good idea.

[Silencer]

This swine is bad around here.  They're ready to shut our school down.  Its going through there like a hot knife in butter.   We already do a couple things on the list, washing hands frequently, using the mouthwash, and take the daily vitamins.