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).