Prevenir la influenza

Buscando información actual sobre la influenza me encontré con una cita de casi toda una nota de un doctor de la India que me parece es muy sensata y atinada. Como va en Inglés y sus puntos prácticos traducidos al Español.

Thanks to media hype about H1N1, several people who trust me

have either approached or called me to advice. 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).

* Don’t you love this one?

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!

La mayoría de los cubrebocas N 95 están diseñados para atrapar partículas de 0.3micrómetros, pero los virus de la influenza miden 0.1micrómetros, por lo tanto, tratar de cubrirse con esos filtros es como protegerse de la lluvia con un mosquitero.

El tamiflu no destruye, pero si disminuye la tasa de replicación del virus, el cual tiene predilección por el aparato respiratorio superior. Sólo entra al organismo a travésde ojos y boca. En una pandemia es casi imposible no estar en contacto ce el virus.

Aquí unas recomendaciones higiénicas para impedir la replicación del virus, medidas más importantes que acaparar tamiflú o usar cubrebocas:

1.-lavarse las manos con frecuencia

2.-No tocarse la cara (excepto para comer, lavarse o dar bofetadas (me encanta esta)

3.-Hacer gárgaras con agua salada dos veces al día (si no aguantas la sal, con algún antiséptico, puede ser bicarbonato o cualquiera de la tienda) es importante el arrastre mecánico.

4.-Similar, hacer lavados de agua salada una vez al día se recomiendan posturas o movimientos de yoga asanas: Jala Neti o Sutra Neti. Si no puedes hacer esta sonarse y con un cotonete limpiar las cavidades también tiene un buen efecto.

5.-Aumenta tu inmunidad natural con vitamina C defuentes naturales, mandarinas, guayabas, tejocotes.

6.-Beber líquidos calientes. El virus no puede proliferar en el estómago, así que si se está en contacto, irá hacia abajo, en lugar de enfermar

Felices respiraciones!!!

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