I got this from another nurse friend the other day and it's good advice:
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) India.
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 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 or 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 way 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.
Keep in mind that the target population is the younger crowd, so pass this on to your kids and grandkids. We the older population will have some immunity. However, it doesn't hurt to follow these guidelines!!
Preventing Swine (or seasonal) flu
Preventing Swine (or seasonal) flu
"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do. Not that the nature of the thing itself has changed but our power to do it is increased." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"You are what you eat -- so don't be Fast, Easy, Cheap or Fake."
"You are what you eat -- so don't be Fast, Easy, Cheap or Fake."
Thanks for taking the time to post this! I had three conversations about what we can/should do to protect ourselves fromH1N1 just today! These suggestions make sense and are easy for anyone to follow! I will be sharing them.
"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think another negative thought."
Peace Pilgrim
Peace Pilgrim
I can't believe more people haven't read this!!! I have shared this with so many friends. One friend said her daughter was told to gargle with anything twice a day to keep strep throat at bay..it seems to have helped in the years she has continured to do it. Another friend told me her foreign-born mom taught her to inhale and blow out water using her nostrils while showering to keep from getting colds. Stay healthy!!
"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think another negative thought."
Peace Pilgrim
Peace Pilgrim
Another nurse I worked with, who was interested in natural/holistic medicine, said that when you're just starting to feel like you might be coming down with some kind of upper respiratory virus to increase your vitamin C intake. This has to be done with supplements -- not food. 1000 mg every hour while awake. No worry about getting too much, you'll get rid of what your body can't use through your kidneys.
I've tried it probably a dozen times since she told me that and only come down with something once. I usually don't remember to take it every hour, but about six times daily.
I've tried it probably a dozen times since she told me that and only come down with something once. I usually don't remember to take it every hour, but about six times daily.
"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do. Not that the nature of the thing itself has changed but our power to do it is increased." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"You are what you eat -- so don't be Fast, Easy, Cheap or Fake."
"You are what you eat -- so don't be Fast, Easy, Cheap or Fake."
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/di ... aid=529704
Epidemic Influenza and Vitamin D (deficiency)
Just a start. people are just starting to wake up to the dangers of Vitamin D deficiency.
Epidemic Influenza and Vitamin D (deficiency)
Just a start. people are just starting to wake up to the dangers of Vitamin D deficiency.