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While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1
infection,and 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 the dangers of H1N1 vaccines or how to stock N95 masks 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 (except to eat or bathe).
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. 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 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.Vitamin D has been shown to activate your immune system to defend you against invading microorganisms — including seasonal flu and swine flu. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C
(Amla and other citrus fruits). *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.
Pass this on to those you know. You never know who might pay
attention to it – and STAY ALIVE because of it.
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Four Key Steps to Prevent Getting the H1N1 Flu
The four key things to do that will help in preventing you from getting the H1N1 Flu or Swine Flu:
1. Wash Your Hands
2. Cover Your Cough
3. Don't Touch Your Face
4. Stay Away from People Who are Sick
If you do get sick, stay home so you won't pass it on to anyone else.
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Keeping Students (and others) Healthy During the H1N1 Season
These recommendations for keeping students healthy during H1N1 outbreak come from my friend, Dr. Jennifer Shu of CNN.com:
1. Follow healthy basic hygiene practices.
Encourage students to wash their hands or use a hand sanitizer frequently and to avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth, where germs can easily enter the body.
2. Keep surfaces clean.
Use a disinfectant to clean commonly shared surfaces at least daily and when visibly soiled.
3. Keep sick students at a distance.
Try spacing desks as far apart as possible to avoid close contact between students. It may also be helpful, especially for individuals at high risk for complications from the flu, to stay at least 6 feet away from sick people.
4. Go home.
Sick students and teachers should go home or stay home if they are too ill to participate in classroom activities. In addition, they should not return until any fever has been gone for at least 24 hours.
5. Follow the latest health recommendations.
H1N1 guidelines may be a moving target since it is still not well known how the virus will affect individuals and communities.
6. Play down perfect attendance.
Some kids (and parents) try so hard for an end-of-the-year perfect attendance award that it can be tempting to go to school even for a few hours to avoid being counted as "absent."
7. Promote home-based learning.
If children feel well enough to study while they're recovering, send some schoolwork home or use an online learning program so they can keep up with lessons.
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