**NOTE TO READER: Always assume that an "I'm just saying" post may offend you and/or piss you off, so read on in caution :). I will not apologize for my sarcasm or opinion. Thank you.**Here is a "this might save your life" message about the ever-loving swine flu. Okay, yes, I know it is real, people I know have had it, and wow, got over it. All the following suggestions are good ones, but I have made little "notes to self" on the potential destructive ability of going overboard with precautions.
Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) (ooooooh, big words make people respect you so much more!) having clinical experience of over 20 years (any "common sense" experience? I'm just asking..). He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata (he said "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 (so swine flu will never be an STD, darn). In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions (noooooo, really???). 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): (Ohhh, don't let the money grubbing pharmecutical companies hear you say that!)
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications). Yes, hand-washing is very very important, but what happens when someone becomes OCD when it comes to hand-washing? Drying out and cracking of the skin can occur, causing open sores which can lead to infection. Necrotizing fasciitis anyone?
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap). Go ahead, I challenge you. Go *all* day without touching your face. You *can't* do it. That "slap" part is a bit frightening though...
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. Sure, get a child to gargle with anything. Impossible. Again, one has to wonder what the long term effects are of gargling with a mouthwash with alcohol (a drying agent and potential irritant) or salt (another drying agent), two times a day, 14 times a week, 56 times a month.
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.* What happens when you blow/rub/clean out your nose constantly. *Drying out*. What happens with a mucous membrane such as the nose dries out severely? Bleeding and nasal infections.
Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relatively inexpensive….under $15. Figures, another money making scheme.
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. You *can* overdose on Vitamin C. Too much of a good thing can be bad.
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. I don't know about you, but I put creamer in my coffee. Drinking more coffee means more caffeine and more sugar intake on a daily basis. Too much sugar = weight gain. Too much caffeine = sleeplessness and agitation.
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. I'M SAVING YOUR LIFE!!!!!! YEA ME!!!!
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) (ooooooh, big words make people respect you so much more!) having clinical experience of over 20 years (any "common sense" experience? I'm just asking..). He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata (he said "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 (so swine flu will never be an STD, darn). In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions (noooooo, really???). 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): (Ohhh, don't let the money grubbing pharmecutical companies hear you say that!)
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications). Yes, hand-washing is very very important, but what happens when someone becomes OCD when it comes to hand-washing? Drying out and cracking of the skin can occur, causing open sores which can lead to infection. Necrotizing fasciitis anyone?
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap). Go ahead, I challenge you. Go *all* day without touching your face. You *can't* do it. That "slap" part is a bit frightening though...
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. Sure, get a child to gargle with anything. Impossible. Again, one has to wonder what the long term effects are of gargling with a mouthwash with alcohol (a drying agent and potential irritant) or salt (another drying agent), two times a day, 14 times a week, 56 times a month.
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.* What happens when you blow/rub/clean out your nose constantly. *Drying out*. What happens with a mucous membrane such as the nose dries out severely? Bleeding and nasal infections.
Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relatively inexpensive….under $15. Figures, another money making scheme.
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. You *can* overdose on Vitamin C. Too much of a good thing can be bad.
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. I don't know about you, but I put creamer in my coffee. Drinking more coffee means more caffeine and more sugar intake on a daily basis. Too much sugar = weight gain. Too much caffeine = sleeplessness and agitation.
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. I'M SAVING YOUR LIFE!!!!!! YEA ME!!!!
Ya mad yet :P??
2 comments:
Oh Penny.... you are a riot! And, I totally agree with you!
You're the best...
Mich
When I went to a local mega-store the other day, I noticed they have hand sanitizer wipes to clean the shopping cart handle to help curb the spread of swine flu. I thought then 'we have officially gone into panic mode people'. :)
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