We can never go over these too many times.
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 o ne. 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...