Carolina
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Flu preventionSome interesting and easy 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, Malad (W).
During an August 2009 visit to Molokai, HI he lectured on the origin of and precautions for H1N1 (SWINE FLU). The following is a summarization of his lecture:
* 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.
* What most N95 respirators (face masks) are designed to filter is about 95% particulates of 0.3, while the size of H1N1 virus is about 0.1. Hence, dependence on N95 to protect against H1N1 is like protecting against rain with an umbrella made of mosquito net.
* Tamiflu drug does not kill the virus, but it prevents H1N1 from further proliferation till the virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks during the virus’ natural cycle.
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:
* Frequent hand-washing.
* “Hands-off-the-face” approach except to eat, bathe, etc.
* 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 person. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
* Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water, swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
* Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C, or Vitamin C tablets that contain Zinc to boost absorption.
* 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.
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East Bay Rider
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I'm concerned about a lot of that because my son wrestles on his middle school wrestling team
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Carolina
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| East Bay Rider wrote: | | I'm concerned about a lot of that because my son wrestles on his middle school wrestling team |
I know what you mean. Gargling seems pretty simple, and maybe throw in a lot of hand sanitizer.
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East Bay Rider
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I guess I can't do much more besides have him Purell after each match.
He wants to do it. I'll be curious to see if they put any restrictions or new rules in place in response to this.
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Lisa
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Darn... hope I can remember the tips correctly and not try to snort Listerine up my nostrils.... that might hurt. 
Very useful information, Caroline. Thanks!
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Lion
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Caroline, thanx for the information.....
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BigHat
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This is good info. Snorting that Purell has been brutal. 
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Lisa
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| BigHat wrote: | | This is good info. Snorting that Purell has been brutal. |
Hah!
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Lion
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| BigHat wrote: | | This is good info. Snorting that Purell has been brutal. |
What no head rushes!!! LOL!!!
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Taffi Abernathy
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I can state with a confidence level >99.9% that I am prepared and well-equipped to deal with whatever germs are present in my environment. Note that my rebreather just passed stringent safety precautions along with my decontamination suit.
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Lisa
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Very nice, Faith - you could even do a little asbestos abatement while thwarting those viruses! 
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Ash
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I am a freak about hand sanitizer, and somehow both Aadil and I have h1n1. It is horrible! Stay healthy, everyone!
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Carolina
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Oh no, Ashley! 
I hope you're feeling better soon. 
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Lisa
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Ashley, I just noticed that in your Sadie thread. Hope you guys rest up and recover soon. So sorry to hear the news. 
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Ash
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| Carolina wrote: | Oh no, Ashley!
I hope you're feeling better soon. |
 Thank you! Work actually made me come in to work on Tuesday, even though I tried calling in sick. Now staff are kind of freaking out, and there is no one to blame but management.
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Carolina
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That's just idiotic. If I was a coworker, I'd be worried! Management will probably regret doing that in a week or so...
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Ash
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| Carolina wrote: | | That's just idiotic. If I was a coworker, I'd be worried! Management will probably regret doing that in a week or so... |
Hopefully I wasn't too contagious that day, but I know that patients couldn't understand why I was there. When I covered reception, the Montreal clinic called and he was like "Are you okay? Oh you sound miserable. I am SO sorry to ask you about this but blah blah blah.... You know, you need to go home and eat some chicken noodle soup. I'm so sorry that I called." He was so upset on my behalf, and was genuinely sorry that I had to answer his questions when he heard how horrible I sounded. It was cute
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BigBird
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Since I spend 99% of my time in the loo, by myself, I should be just fine.
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Lion
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Ashley, I'm sorry you do not feel well so get plenty of rest, fluids and Vitamin C.....
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