People are freaking out over this thing. Most of what people are getting is not as bad as the "regular" flu, the reason it's a bigger deal is because it's a new strain of the flu so very few people have built up immunity to it. I read somewhere that roughly 1/3 of the population is going to get it.
I wasn't really worried about it until Jack got put on these meds and his immune system was weakened. If he got it, it could be really bad and would likely land him in the hospital. That's why we've been keeping him away from people. Because even if you're feeling fine, you could still be a carrier. My mom has been the only one really allowed around Jack because she doesn't work and she's had her flu shot. And we're all getting the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it gets here.
Anyways, we're staying held up in the house for the most part. Here is some good info about how to avoid this stuff...
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature,it's almost impossible to avoid 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 reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
