Preventing H1N1 and Influenza

Virginia Department of Health reports that Influenza-related activities continue to be on the upswing with H1N1 infection (swine flu) symptoms similar to seasonal influenza. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to become available by mid-October. Meanwhile, we urge you to consider at least some form of prevention.

1. Frequent hand-washing

2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water – (Periomed and Listerine can be alternatives) The H1N1 virus takes 2-3 days after 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. Clean your nostrils or blow your nose once a day – similar to #3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm non-iodized salt water. You may want to use a Netipot, sold at Whole foods and other supermarkets. A very effective way to bring down viral population is blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water.

5. Take Vitamin C – 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 and/or bioflavonoids to boost absorption.
Drinking as much of warm liquids as you can – Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as a 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.