Re: Bad news on swine influenza A (H1N1). Help to survive!
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:40 pm
This was sent to healthcare professionals by the CDC and WHO. So check out their website for more information.
"Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Internist 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
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.
In order to prevent proliferation and aggravation of symptoms, the development of secondary infections while you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, follow some of these very simple steps not fully highlighted in most official communications. (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 or bathe).
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. 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. *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.*
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *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. *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."
Please note that recommendations marked with a (*) are not proven methods.
Depending on where you live, what your age is and what your health status is there is an H1N1 vaccine. As far as I know at this moment it is only being given to children and the elderly and in bigger cities (from rumor) everyone has access to the H1N1 vaccine. You can contact your local public health department and they should have more information for you.
"Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Internist 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
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.
In order to prevent proliferation and aggravation of symptoms, the development of secondary infections while you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, follow some of these very simple steps not fully highlighted in most official communications. (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 or bathe).
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. 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. *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.*
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *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. *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."
Please note that recommendations marked with a (*) are not proven methods.
Depending on where you live, what your age is and what your health status is there is an H1N1 vaccine. As far as I know at this moment it is only being given to children and the elderly and in bigger cities (from rumor) everyone has access to the H1N1 vaccine. You can contact your local public health department and they should have more information for you.
