Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice, IMHO
Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relatively inexpensive….under $15.
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 was given by him, and makes a lot of sense:
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not 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 ).
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.*
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.
Another good product for prevention is hydrogen peroxide. It's super cheap, and it kills germs the way bleach does, except it's not dangerous in moderate quantities, to the human body. You can gargle with it and wash your nasil passages with the neti pot with a 1/2 water & 1/2 hydrogen peroxide mix. Very simple ways to prevent the flu. You can even use a similar mix in a spray bottle and use as a general cleaner/disinfectant for your house. Safe on counters and no harm around food. No need for expensive cleansers.
A great supplement to get during flu season is Zinc. It's inexpensive, and boosts the effects of vitamin C. All the fancy cold remedies on the market have zinc in them, but you can simply buy the zinc supplements yourself for about $4.00. To your Health!
A great supplement to get during flu season is Zinc. It's inexpensive, and boosts the effects of vitamin C. All the fancy cold remedies on the market have zinc in them, but you can simply buy the zinc supplements yourself for about $4.00. To your Health!