SWINE FLU PRECAUTIONS

Sisters - My son is a Head, Nose and Throat Doctor, and he shares the following with all his patients regarding the ability to prevent Swine Flu.


The H1N1 like other influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates only there. The portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. It is almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of precautions. 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 can be practiced:


1. Frequent hand-washing.


2. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water, 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.


3. Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. You should blow you nose hard once a day and swab both nostrils with a Q-tip dipped in warm salt water - which is very effective in bringing down viral population.


4. Drink as much 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, proliferate or do any harm.


All these simple ways to prevent are within the means of most households. While talking with my son, he had read a lot of information from available sources to help his patients, and I thought they were simple and worthwhile to pass on to all of you