H1N1 Swine Flu Prevention

H1N1 Swine Flu prevention is big topic in light of the pandemic flu expected this fall (2009).  I recently received an e-mail with some good advice about how to prevent getting sick from the H1N1 Swine Flu virus (also known as Influenza A).  Even if you are able to get the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine it would be a good idea to still practice these recommendations.

This information is purportedly from a “Consultant General Surgeon & Gastroenterologist, based in India.”  Whether or not such a person was the true author (it is hard to tell with e-mail forwards) the information appears to contain some wise counsel.   I pass along the helpful parts along with my comments.

First is some background information on the H1N1 virus itself.

Tamiflu [an anti-viral flu drug] 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.

Since you probably will come in contact with H1N1 the best “prevention” is not avoiding it, but rather preventing it from proliferating (and so thus becoming sick because of it). 

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 N95 [face masks and respirators] or Tamiflu):

N95 referrers to the NIOSH N95 rating given to face masks that are certified to filter 95% of all airborne partials.  N95 face masks would be for preventing contact with the virus, which as he points out is extremely hard to do.

Tamiflu as he pointed out earlier does nothing to actually kill the virus, but simply keeps if from further proliferation.  It would be used to treat someone who already has the virus and is experiencing flu symptoms.

Instead of focusing on (ineffective) treatment and (unlikely) avoidance, let us instead focus on more effective preventative measures that mitigate the proliferation of the virus.

H1N1 Swine Flu Prevention - Recommendation #1

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

For starters wash your hands:

• Each time you use the restroom
• Before eating
• Every time you return home from being out, whether it was to the store or Grandma’s house

H1N1 Swine Flu Prevention - Recommendation #2

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptation to touch any part of one's face (unless you want to eat or bathe.)

This is a hard one and takes a lot of self-control if you are a face toucher like me.

H1N1 Swine Flu Prevention - Recommendation #3

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 preventive measure.

I can attest to the effectiveness of this simple point of advice.  I use to have chronic sore throats.  I started gargling with Listerine once a day about a year ago.  My sore throats have almost completely disappeared.  Occasionally I will get a sore throat for a day, or at the most two days, but I have yet to have the two-week or longer sore throats that I use to have repeatedly all winter.

H1N1 Swine Flu Prevention - Recommendation #4

4. (Similar to 3 above) Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at this, 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.

Prior to reading this I had never cleaned my nostrils.  After doing a little research I found that there is a little device called Neti pot that allows you to easily pour water into one nostril while letting it run out the other, thus rinsing the nasal cavity.

I picked on up and gave it a try.  It took a little getting used to, but it was very effective in clearing the nasal passage.  It has other benefits for those with sinus problem, which is a bonus.

Instead of the traditional Neti pots I recommend the NeliMed Sinus Rinse squeeze bottle.  It is a bit easier to use than the tea pot looking models.  After you have used up the saline solution packets that come with the kit, you can make your own with equal parts of baking soda and non-iodized table salt.  Use a level 1/8 teaspoon of each in 8 oz of water.

H1N1 Swine Flu Prevention - Recommendation #5

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (including citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that they also have Zinc/bioflavonoids to boost absorption.

In general, it is preferred to eat fresh fruit and vegetables rather than taking supplements.  The synergistic effect of the other nutrients found in fresh fruit cause the vitamin C they contain to be more effective than supplements even though they contain much less actual vitamin C.

H1N1 Swine Flu Prevention - Recommendation #6

6. Drink warm liquids as much 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’ve never heard this before, but it does make some sense. A friend of mine (who has a graduate degree in infectious disease) did confirm that almost no viruses can survive in the stomach (including H1N1 and other influenza viruses).

The question then, is whether or not drinking hot liquids is effective at washing them down into your stomach. I don’t know the answer to that question, but drinking warm liquids certainly won’t hurt anything and being properly hydrated is critical to overall health!

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