Swine Flu (H1N1), Basic Information

by **Haya** 1st September 2010, 12:56 pm

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 it 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 not 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.

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 using a Neti pot,
but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with
cotton swabs 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. *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.