Strange download pattern :)
Roshan’s posterous |
My thoughts, passions, opinions & discoveries. |
I was talking to a school time friend on phone today. It was after a few years so lot of things to share & catch-up with.
Job, marriage, who all got married, who's in line, who had kids, & all that.
Going through the names one by one at one point I asked "Where's Ashish Popli? What's he doing?".
Whatever I heared after that shook me badly, its been on my mind for the whole day. More so because I came to know of it so late.
Some tips for prevention of Swine Flu from AIMS doctor Friends, 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!
Enjoying the new age web & sharing all that catches my attention.
SAP consultant by profession, shutter-bug by hobby, geek by habit & a nice guy by nature.
