This message is from Dr. Vinay Goyal, a renowned doctor who visited
Winnipeg last week to lecture on the topic H1N1 (SWINE FLU),
its origin and precautions. He is an MBBS, DRM, DNB (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 heads
our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak
Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).
The Message...........
Thanks to media hype about H1N1, several people who trust me have
either approached or called me for advise. The hype in media about the
utility of face masks and N95 respirators as a tool for general
protection against H1N1 can't be deplored enough. Please realize that
this is not an official advice, especially the one about face masks or
N95.
Most N95 respirators are designed to filter 95% particulates of 0.3µ,
while the s ize of H1N1 virus is about 0.1µ. Hence, dependence on N95
to protect against H1N1 is like protecting against rain with an
umbrella made of mosquito net.
Tamiflu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation
till the virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks (its natural cycle).
H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper
respiratory tract and proliferates (only) there. The only portals of
entry are the nostrils and mouth/ throat. In a global epidemic of this
nature, it's almost impossible not to come 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 practiced
(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, bathe or slap).
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.
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 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.
All these are simple ways to prevent, within means of most
households, and certainly much less painful than to wait in
long queues outside public hospitals.
Happy breathing!