Parenting Teenagers (12-18) Support Group

By Dr. Vinay Goyal

Presently, he is heading the Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic
at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The only portals of entry for the H1N1 virus (or any virus for that matter)
are the nostrils and mouth/throat.

While your teens 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 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. 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. 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. Sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relatively
inexpensive.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C
(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 (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.
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Posted on 10/23/09, 04:10 pm