H1N1 tips (good advice from email making rounds)

[Vic]

The following advice, given by Dr. Oz, makes a lot of sense and isimportant for all to know: The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a globalepidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contactwith H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of aproblem 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 ofsecondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in mostofficial communications, can be practiced (instead of focusingon how to stock N95 or Tamiflu): 1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all officialcommunications). 2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any partof face (unless you want to eat or bathe.)

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine or HydrogenPeroxide if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initialinfection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristicsymptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling withsalt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on aninfected one.
Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventativemethod. 4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day withwarm salt water, or hydrogen peroxide. *Not everybody may be good at JalaNeti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but*blowing the nose softly once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cottonbuds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viralpopulation.* 5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amlaand other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets,make sure that it also has Zinc to boostabsorption. 6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinkingwarm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction.They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach wherethey cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

[Barbara2]

"Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine or HydrogenPeroxide if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initialinfection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristicsymptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling withsalt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on aninfected one."



Just recrently "Dr. Nancy" of the NBC Today Show, replied to a question regarding gargling with salt water. She said that when a person gargles, the shallow and not the deep part of the throat is affected, and that this process has no effect. She said she does not gargle...with anything... as it does not have an impact on preventing proliferation. Here is her reply, if you would like to hear what she said. It is towards the end of the interview.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/33410468#33478401

[Ruth]

Thanks sweetie! Don't you love Dr. Oz?
Hugs ~ Ruth

[alicem]

I don't know about gargling, but there have been several occasions when I have kept a cold at bay by using saline nose drops. When I get that itch/scratchy feeling in my throat and nasal passages that usually signals the onset of getting sick, I use these nose drops at night. By the next morning, I am fine.

[Jackie07]

I think I will following the instruction I received when I was getting chemo. Gargling with Salt + tiny baking soda + water -> after every meal and before bed time. Stay away from public place and children. But the most important thing to do is to get vaccinated. Hubby and I have got the flu vaccines - we are just waiting for the H1N1 vaccines to be available locally.

[Adriana Mangus]

Dear Vicki; Thank you for your posting.

I watch "The Doctors" on a regular basis and the female doctor said that gargling would do nothing to prevent contracting the swine flu.


This morning I had an appointment with my onc and he also mentioned that there is nothing you can do to prevent contracting this virus. He also advised me against getting the swine flu shot, but recommended to get just the regular one. He added...Go ahead and enjoy Life, do not be scared.

Regardless, I do gargle every night with listerine, it's a great mouth wash with a terrific taste.


Love,

Adriana

[Cal-Gal]

Thanks for posting this

[Jackie07]

Below is what's recommended by Center for Disease Control. It does say that common flu-prevention practice should be used daily for precaution. I think the reason why many experts said it's futile probably is because they wanted to encourage people to get the swine flu vaccine - which, in an epidemic situation, is the only effective way to prevent a big outbreak.


http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

...

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? Oct 8
This season, there is a seasonal flu vaccine (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/) to protect against seasonal flu viruses and a 2009 H1N1 vaccine (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/)to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called “swine flu”). A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu infection. For information about the 2009 H1N1 vaccines, visit H1N1 Flu Vaccination Resources (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/). For information about seasonal influenza vaccines, visit Preventing Seasonal Flu With Vaccination (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/).

There are also everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like the flu.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.* (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm#antibacterial)
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm) except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Other important actions that you can take are:
· Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
· Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs * (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm#antibacterial)(for when soap and water are not available), tissues and other related items could help you to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

[Barbara2]

Earlier this month, I received an email (posted below) with the same wording as that of "Dr. OZ" but with a different doctor's name on the title. When I read this, I wondered about it's accuracy...for example why the eyes had not been listed as a "portal of entry."

Not a big deal. Just wanted to point out that someone has prossibly changed the text, along the way.

H1N1 FLU TIPS...

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, alad (W).
The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot o f sense and is important for all of you 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 inspite 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 o f 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 to boost absorption.

6.* Drink as much 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.

[Jackie07]

Alright! Finally solved the puzzle. After the above info. posted by Barbara, I went to www.snopes.com (http://www.snopes.com) where 'Urban legends' are checked out for their authenticity. And here's what was explained:

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

[DanaRT]

Adriana, My onco said the same thing. She does not want me to have the H1N1 vaccine but it was fine to have the regular flu shot. I have never had a flu shot so I opted out of both.

The best tip---wash hands, don't touch your face. I haven't been ill in four or five years...(knock on wood).

Love,
Dana

[harrie]

Personally, I think regular tongue scraping (or brushing) is a good idea too.