SWINE FLU
TIPS...
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 of you 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 (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 or lemonade).
*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.
TIPS...
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 of you 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 (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 or lemonade).
*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.
