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We received the following letter on flu prevention. This is not from an "official"
medical publication, but seems to be good advice to follow.
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):
- Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official
communications).
- "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any
part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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