Fibromyalgia Support Group

I know many are weighing on the topic on whether or not they should get the H1N1 vaccine. But here are some precautions, more than your simple, stay home, keep your hands washed sort of advice.

H1N1 Precautions

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 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 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.
Posted on 11/06/09, 12:11 pm