Wednesday, November 4, 2009

A Can of Worms?

I hope I'm not opening a can of worms by blogging about this, but I've been thinking a lot about it while on vacation and anytime we go out.

H1N1.

Yes, I said it.

We decided not to get the shots -- even though I'm at risk because of undiagnosed asthmatic issues. Instead, we take our oscillococcineum, our multivitamins, and wash our hands very frequently. I also bought hand sanitizer for in the vehicles, have some in my purse, and in my coat pockets, and at the back door to use as soon as we walk in. I am also going to buy sanitizing wipes for wiping the handle of the grocery carts.

My mom emailed me some reccomendations from Dr. Oz. I don't have an opinion on him as I have never watched him on television or read any of his books (does he write books?), but this seemed like sound, sensible advice.


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 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 practised (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 or bathe.)

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine or Hydrogen
Peroxide 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, or hydrogen peroxide. *Not everybody may be good at Jala
Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but
*blowing the nose softly 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
.

It makes good basic sense to me -- and I'm not opposed to drinking more coffee/tea either :o).

9 comments:

  1. That all makes good sense to me. And none of it is expensive or risky, so why not try?

    We're not immunized either. None of us have compromising health issues. I kind of figure that we ARE going to be exposed (probably have been already) and we may or may not get sick. And we'll deal with it.

    The not touching the face is the hardest of those suggestions to follow and enforce with the boys!

    We're praying, praying, praying that none of us gets it... but especially not until after Wyatt's trip! (Three more days...)

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, those are some really good tips, that I have not heard yet. Thanks for sharing. My 2 year old has gotten the regular flu shot but I am still praying about the h1n1 shot:)
    My lip gloss did survive:)I always buy the cheap stuff anyway. Have a blessed day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great info! We are also not getting the shots, as we don't get the regular one either. I think taking care of your body & health will get you through this scary time. I am not sure how I will get my daughter,2 years old, to gargle.... may have her drink warm salt water...yuck! Anyway... Glad to hear your trip went well. What great memories you made. Your entire family will remember this trip for certain!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I haven't had too many students out with it, but your sensible tips are helpful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. We have not done the vaccines this year and I have been thinking about it also. I have not been bringing the kids to cluttered shopping stores and we have been doing more things outside with less people and less germs lol! I will probably do internet shopping for xmas as well to keep us out of the crowds of people. I also keep germx in my purse as well as anti bacterial wipes and we use them often when we are out. I dont think you have to live in a bubble but we have noticed that there are alot of people sick at places like walmart that also have pharmacies in them so we have been trying to avoid that. just a thought.....
    Thanks for sharing great tips
    Blessings Heather

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! Glad to read that more of you have opted out of the shots! Great additional advice too.

    Praying we all stay healthy -- especially your family, Julie. Tate must be getting very excited by now!

    Blessings!
    Deborah

    ReplyDelete
  7. No shots here.
    Haven't ever done the other flu shots either.

    ReplyDelete
  8. My oldest daughter just had this and the rest of us are taking stuff to boost our immune system and we are also being very careful will sharing germs. My herbalist friend told me that you can take respiratory cough syrup when you get the flu to reduce the chances of it going to your lungs. It helps to keep the lungs clear.

    randi

    http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. We are opposed to getting the H1N1 vaccine as well. Part of living an organic/natural lifestyle is thinking long and hard about what you put into your body and how it may affect you immediately and in the future. This was one we decided was a big NO.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I love to hear from my readers!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...