Swine Flu Prevention

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,D N B (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 to know

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a
global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid
coming into contact with H1 N 1 in spite of all precautions. Contact
with H1 N 1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1 N 1
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 N 95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face and out of the mouth" 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). *H1 N 1 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 person. 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). *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.