[Eoscstudents] Helpful hints on how to avoid the FLU - Great Ideas!!

[Brenda Kennedy]

With the constant fear of H1N1 symptoms, the following measures can be
practiced by one and all. 

This is information which is from 
a Consultant General Surgeon & Gastroenterologist based in 
India and could be beneficial to students and their families alike.
Tamiflu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation till the 
virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks (its natural cycle). H1N1, like other

Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and 
proliferates (only) there. 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 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.

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/bioflavonoids to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids 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.

All these are simple ways to prevent, within means of most households, and 
certainly much less painful than to wait in long queues outside public 
hospitals. 

 

 

 

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