Prevention Swine Flu

Thanks to media hype about H1N1, several people who trust me have either approached or called me to 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. Yesterday, a friend who listened wanted me to write down briefly what I advised so that he could tell others in similar words. Hence this short email to friends whom I have advised recently (and others whom I haven't yet). 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 size 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 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 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!

Figthing A Virus

Do you want to make your body immune to any virus which exists in this world. If your answer is yes then the best way to raise your immune power. We will see how we can do it in this post. We will see raise the level of our immune system, so that it becomes strong enough to fight almost any type of virus that are their around the world.

1. Fast for 1 or 2 days taking only water or salads.
2. Cleanse your body of all toxins by taking enema during the fasting period. Remember : Virus are present everywhere. But they inflict the disease only on 'toxic' bodies. Healthy systems are often immune from virus attacks. So not just the surroundings, the internal body mechanism too should be kept clean. And most important, if bowel habits are irregular the fecal matter in our system is the No. 1 invitee of all viruses and diseases. So enema helps in cleansing our body of all these toxins.
3. Keep your body fit through proper healthy food and excercise.
4. Do not take Tami flu tablets if you are normal. That will lower the body immunity and make the virus drug resistant, if and when it happens to attack.
5. However in case of an attack, go to a hospital for the remaining treatment.

If we sincerely follow the above steps, I am sure we all can stay immune to almost all the viruses around our environment. If you guys want to share any other thoughts do post your comments.

Symptoms of Swine Flu

Following are the symptoms of Swine Flu. If you feel you have the same get yourself test if you are been infected by Swine Flu. The symptoms occur immediately within a day after the person has been infected by the virus. Symptoms of Swine Flu are not very different from any normal flu in human beings. Still it is worth to note them down for reference.

Symptoms of Swine Flu
1) Fever
2) Cough
3) Sore Throat
4) Body Aches
5) Headache
6) Chills
7) Fatigue
8) Diarrhea and Vomiting : This symptom is not shown by everyone who has been infected by swine flu but 10% of them has reportedly been having diarrhea and vomiting.


Get yourself to the doctor immediately if you face any of the above symptoms.

Swine Flu - The Misconception.

We are all aware that Swine Flu is spreading across fast and there is a panic almost on every street of the country. However let us first clear some misconceptions about the Swine Flu which every person should be clear of.

Here is what one should know.
1) Swine flu, i.e H1N1 flu is not something which has suddenly arrived from God knows where. There is actually a history behind it. First case of Swine flu was detected in 1987. So chill guys this is something which was there.
2) There are 5 days of the infective stage. The first day when the person gets the symptoms and the rest 4 days after the onset of the symptoms.
3) So how can we stop Swine Flu from spreading? The person who is infected or with the symptoms of swine flu should take complete rest at home of 4 days and avoid contact with anyone.
4) Masks which are being used on huge scale these days to avoid swine flu are being sold at out of proportion value. ( please don't crap on supply demand guys). Besides these masks are of little to no use. To avoid getting infected from swine flu one should avoid visiting public places like shopping malls, cinema halls. Avoid air conditioned enclosures as the virus multiplies at such places.
5) Swine flu has been bold ed out by the media on a out of proportion scale. The death in case of swine flu is very rare. 1 out of 10k infected suffers life loss. This proportion is less than a person being hit by a lightning.