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 some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
Some simple precautions:
1. Frequent hand-washing throughout the day. Soap your hands for a full 2 minutes.
2. Hands OFF your face. This is a habit that you must get use to to keep healthy.
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (or Listerine). Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Blowing your nose hard once a day and swapping 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 with vitamin C (citrus fruits), or with supplements tablets that contain Zinc to boost absorption.
6. Drink as much warm liquids as you can. Warm liquids wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive.
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A slightly different version of #4 above recommended cleaning your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water using nasal irrigation.
