Prevent Swine Flu...advice

[chef]

My husband forwarded this to me today and I thought it worth sharing, although you may have heard much of this.

Stay healthy,
Vicki

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.

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.

I suggest you pass this on to your entire e-list. You never know who might
pay attention to it -- and STAY ALIVE because of it.

Please take a few minutes and let your family and friends know the facts.

Yes, forewarned is forearmed!!

Jim White

[Greg]

Realize this response comes a little late but...

I was getting all set to respond point by point but I think this is better:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/swineflu/prevent.asp

Most important points?

Use alcohol hand wash; most people don't do a good job of hand washing

Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth (unless you have just used your hand wash!)

Gargling, especially with salt water can help a sore throat feel better, it does zero to kill viruses (or bacteria)

If you have to be in an environment where you'll be exposed to someone who is ill, buy and use an N95 rated mask (suspect every drug store now sells them); the surgical masks people wear all over the place are designed to keep germs in not out (that's why docs wear them in the OR). N95 masks aren't magic, but they are pretty good - they're the ones docs wear when they have to enter a room with a patient infected with TB.

Lastly, remember that while it's not a good idea to be cavalier about H1N1, it has not yet become the monster people are scared of, nor do otherwise healthy people need to be terrified... just careful, 'cause you'll be pretty miserable if you get any kind of flu.

Greg

[Bill Glasheen]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Vicki, and allowing us to critique it.

Thanks, Greg. You beat me to the punch.

I was particularly concerned about the lack of mention of the eyes, as well as the mouth and nasal washing recommendations.

The company that makes Listerine was already told by the FTC (decades ago) to stop suggesting that gargling would help prevent colds or influenza. It just plain does not work. If it wasn't for the fact that phenols are particularly good at improving oral hygiene (halitosis, gingivitis, cavities, etc.), their product might have gone off the market by now.

Hand washing and keeping hands away from the face are best. Also learn how to cough/sneeze into your sleeves (crotch of elbow or shoulder) and avoid being with crowds in confined places. Simple is best.

The 2009 H1N1 isn't that bad - for most people. But far too many children are dieing from it. This includes kids in grammar and high schools. Get the vaccination ASAP.

- Bill

[Chris McKaskell]

Thanks for the clarification, I wondered about some of the advice given.

BTW, a friend of mine is heavily into yoga so I gave the neti-pot thing a try and 'rinsed' my nostrils. Whatta hoot! I had no idea they were connected like that! Must say it felt weird, uncomfortable and more than a little unnatural, but afterward I found I could breath and smell more clearly than I have in a long time.

Ooops, been touching the keyboard -- better go wash my hands again...