It's almost impossible to not come 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. 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 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 are simple ways to prevent, within means of most households, and
certainly much less painful than to wait in long queues outside public
hospitals.
 


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