How to stay healthy/avoid the flu this holiday season.
It's official. Reports say 4,000 or more Americans likely have died from swine flu or H1N1 virus.
So how can you go on vacation and still stay healthy?
The new, higher figure was first reported by The New York Times. It includes deaths caused by complications related to swine flu, including pneumonia and bacterial infections.
The news is depressing, what with this, the health care bill and the Fort Hood killings filling the news, it's no wonder you would decide you needed a break and wanted to take off. But even if you decide to vacation domestically to places like Disneyland or internationally to exotic places like the Middle East and Syria, you still may not be totally worry free. No, in fact you'll probably be worried about getting the H1N1 virus or swine flu. It’s a very valid concern since this pandemic is affecting both young and old.
And since this epidemic is global, it’s going to be very difficult NOT to come across it one way or another (a fellow traveler on the plane may have it and not even know it, someone you chat with at your destination hotel may have it and not have come down with any symptoms yet, for example). But know that, even with the virus getting closer to home and people getting sick, there ARE things you can do to prevent the epidemic from striking you on vacation. You don't have to be a headline story on next week's news, like the Fort Hood one or the health care legislation one is now.
Most people are advocates of healthy traveling and none more so than the Center for Disease Control. They reiterate that people should ONLY travel when they are feeling. If they feel in any way unwell, they should simply stay home.
"We know that flu - and specifically H1N1 this year - is a big concern for people, but flu shouldn't ruin the holidays," says Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Center for Disease Control. "By practicing a little prevention, people can enjoy their holidays and stay well at the same time."
Understand that the only way the H1N1 virus can get into the body to infect it is by way of the nose and the mouth. Children and seniors are particularly vulnerable. The best form of defense then is to simply not be a suitable “host” when this virus comes into contact with YOU. If the virus cannot attack you then it cannot reproduce and cause all sorts of secondary (and often more deadly) problems. The secret then is to prevent the illness taking hold. Here are some tips to stop that from happening:
1. You've no doubt heard it before but it's worth repeating: wash your hands while you are on vacation as often as possible, or use hand sanitizer if you’re not going to be near water.
2. Avoid, if possible, touching your face (yes it’s hard, if you’re a habitual face-toucher you might even have to resort to wearing gloves!
3. Be sure to gargle every day (twice is best but once is better than nothing). Use salt water, which will kill any bacteria in the mouth. If you prefer, you can use Listerine. The cost of the salt or the Listerine is much cheaper than taking time off work or having to go back and forward to the hospital so this is money well spent.
4. Not so nice to do but one that experts nonetheless recommend: swab each nostril with warm salty water to avoid the germs being breathed in.
5. As with all healthy regimes, keep your immune system in tip-top condition on vacation by following a balanced diet, getting plenty of sleep and exercise and taking vitamin supplements. Zinc is a great all-round immune system booster (it’s great even if you have just a simply cold) as is Vitamin C and Vitamin C-containing fruits and vegetables.
6. Keep up your intake of hot liquids (your mom was right about chicken soup being a great illness remedy). This will stop germs reproducing in the stomach. Other drinks like tea, coffee, bouillon and herb tea are just as beneficial so be sure to keep well hydrated.
The above strategies will help you go on vacation without getting this difficult and pandemic H1N1 or swine flu virus. That way you can be watching the latest news from your bed, rather than being in your bed because you are sick!
If you're going to be on vacation with a child, see the following articles by the same author for more strategies on how to build your child's immunity so he or she can better resist the epidemic:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-29076-SF-World-Travel-Examiner~y2009m11d6-Protect-your-childs-immunity-against-the-H1N1-virus-or-Swine-Flu-Part-1
and
For more articles by this author, click here: http://www.examiner.com/x-29076-SF-World-Travel-Examiner
Comments
Very interesting. I enjoyed clicking over to Syrian story as well. Nice to know there is something we can do to prevent the flu.
And don't get the Swine Flu vaccine. Do a little research about what is being put in it and ask yourself why are health officials in such a hurry to inject everyone with such a dangerous vaccine. Mercury, cancer cells from animals, Squalene, tissue from green African monkeys. Its all in there and it is a toxic mixture that is already beginning to harm people who have taken it. Do the powers that be really have the general public's best interest at heart?
Get the complete story on Swine Flu at
www.fluscam.com
Also see:
www.infowars.com
This is one of the most thorough stories yet on the topic. Thanks!
Here's another one that isn't talked about so much, but makes a HUGE difference. waterremedy.net
My child came home from school saying they learned to cough and sneeze into their elbows with Germie Wormie, and I was totally taken aback. I always used my hands. But I went to the website, and now I get it, hands touch, elbows don't!! Kids can touch up to 300 surfaces in 1/2 an hour, and they hate to wash their hands. This is a simple thing that can make a huge difference. There is also an entertaining DVD that teaches kids how to do this and reinforces other important hygiene habits. This is important because even if you get the vaccination, you can STILL be a carrier of H1N1.
Hey Sheila,
Congratulations on your top ranking with examiner this week. Excellent tips on prevention of Swine flu.
We agree that prevention is the best method of protecting your family this flu season, but don’t forget that disinfecting household surfaces with a dilute solution of chlorine bleach is an economical way to help keep your family safe from flu. Just as salt water can help keep germs from “setting up shop” in your body, chlorine bleach will help keep your household healthy by killing the flu virus on surfaces, from the kitchen to the bathroom to the toy chest. And it only takes a small amount to disinfect surfaces: 2 tbsp. in a quart of water or (for a larger quantity), 1/4 cup in a gallon of water. Apply to hard surfaces; leave wet for 10 minutes, then rinse.
Scott Jensen, American Chemistry Council
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