Basic Information on H1N1 Preventative Measures

Seriously....what's a person to do??? Get the shot...don't get theshot.....get the shot.....don't get the shot! Geeze enuf already. So confusing! Who should we believe is telling the truth?

This is great simple information ... Take heed and avoid getting sick.....

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist),having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked ininstitutions like Hinduja Hospital,Bombay Hospital, Saifee Hospital,Tata Memorial, etc.
Presently, he is heading our Nuclear MedicineDepartment and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and CriticalCentre, Malad (W).The following message is given by him; I feel it makes a lot of senseand 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 intocontact 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 H1N1infection, 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 officialcommunications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch anypart of face until you have washed your hands.
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don'ttrust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in thethroat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with saltwater has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on aninfected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerfulpreventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every daywith 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 withcotton swabs dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringingdown 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 italso 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 thereverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throatinto 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

- Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store andrelatively inexpensive under $15.