influenza - Helpful info to follow to prevent H1N1 (Swine flu) infection

From: kd Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 Subject: FW: Helpful info to follow to prevent H1N1 (Swine flu) infection

Know the Difference between a Cold/FLU and H1N1 Flu Symptoms: Symptom Cold H1N1 Flu Fever Fever is rare Temperatures of  100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days Coughing A hacking (mucus-producing) cough is often present A dry cough is usually present Aches Slight body aches and pains Severe aches and pains Stuffy Nose Stuffy nose is commonly present and typically resolves spontaneously within a week  Stuffy nose is not commonly present  Chills Chills are uncommon Chills occur in 60% of cases Tiredness Tiredness is fairly mild  Tiredness is moderate to severe Sneezing Sneezing is commonly Sneezing is not common Sudden Symptoms Symptoms tend to develop over a few days  Rapid onset within 3-6 hours with sudden symptoms of high fever - muscle aches - shortness of breath - tight chest  Headache Headaches are fairly mild Headache occur in 80% of cases Sore Throat Sore throat is commonly present Sore throat is not commonly present Chest Discomfort Chest discomfort is mild to moderate Chest discomfort is often severe The only way to stop the epidemic is to spread the awareness    Helpful info to follow to prevent H1N1 (Swine flu) infection.         Dr. Vinay Goyal 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 is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).     The following message given by him; I feel it makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know     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 using a Neti pot, but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton swabs 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.  *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.          I suggest you share this information with your family and friends. You never know who might pay attention to it - and STAY ALIVE because of it.

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