Helpful Steps to Prevent the Swine Flu

In addition to the article below I want to mention a neti-pot. Butch has had trouble with allergies for several years and has taken medication for it. I have had a problem in the last few years and particularly in South Texas. We have started using a neti-pot. It is simple and easy to do although it can seem a bit daunting to begin with but after the first time or two it is easy...very easy. Butch has stopped taking the allergy meds entirely. Wal-mart carries the neti-pot we purchased. It is made by Neil Med. I used to use saline nasal spray with limited success. This is much much easier and more pleasant. Your sinus and nasal passages feel so clean and refreshed after using the Neti-pot.
www.NeilMed.com

Helpful Steps to Prevent the Swine Flu

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not 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 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 (Tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the rever