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Swine Flu
- /H1N1 Preventive Methods
Sneeze or cough in the crook of your elbow There are thousands of saliva droplets that contain millions of viruses in a typical cough or sneeze. When you cover your mouth with your hands, the virus lands in your palm, and is easily transferred to everything you touch. You can also cough or sneeze into a tissue, but throw it away immediately. Then wash your hands. Keep your hands off your face Germs enter the bloodstream through various mucous membranes. Try not to rub your eyes, put your fingers near your mouth or pick your nose. If your nose is dry, try coating it with an emollient protective barrier such as petroleum jelly or beeswax. Regular use of a Neti pot can keep sinuses and passages clear. Take Vitamin D Vitamin D is produced in the body during exposure to sunlight. During the winter we tend to get less exposure so vitamin D supplements are recommended. People who take vitamin D supplements have better luck avoiding the seasonal flu; there is no reason to think that it won't do the same for H1N1 virus. Flu outbreaks tend to occur in places where solar radiation is low. Stay hydrated During the winter months we have a tendency to lose fluids when our heated homes and dry air rob us of moisture. You'll know if you are hydrated if your urine is a clear pale yellow. Dark yellow is a sign that your urine is concentrated and you need to drink more. Get out in open space Cold weather usually brings us indoors, sometimes in close proximity to a crowd of people who may be unknowingly infected. Spend some time outdoors and get some fresh air. Keep fit Aerobic activity improves the exchange of oxygen to keep the immune system strong and lungs clear. Just remember to wipe down equipment at the gym before and after using. Eat your greens … and blues and oranges … Dark and colorful fruits and vegetables are loaded with immune boosting phytochemicals. Plant a rainbow on your plate and dig in! Eat probiotics Probiotics are the good live bacteria found in fermented food products such as yogurt and soy products like miso and tempeh Eating these foods not only promotes the natural balance of healthy bacteria important for digestive health, it can stimulate the production of immune fighting chemicals from cells found in the gut. Don't smoke Lining the inside of the nasal passages are tiny hairs whose function it is to whisk away microscopic material and prevent them from entering the bloodstream. If you smoke these hairs become damaged. Smoking also compromises breathing and produces more virus-trapping mucous. For more information on smoking, click here.
Stay home if you are sick |