Top 5 simple ways to help prevent H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms

November 8, 9:15 PMNatural Health ExaminerGenevieve Kiger

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Good Hygeine Like Washing Hands Just One of Many Simple Ways
to Prevent H1N1 Swine Flu Symptoms

There are many very simple ways to help prevent coming down with H1N1 symptoms – even if you are unfortunately exposed to the H1N1 virus.  Given the updates from the CDC and WHO on November 4th and 7th respectively, it is clear that H1N1 swine flu symptoms are not going away any time soon.  Although nothing is 100 percent certain, taking these simple, everyday steps can greatly reduce your risk from H1N1 swine flu.  Some are common sense, some not so much, but all of them are simple and effective.

Get Enough Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for the proper function of the immune system.  There is growing evidence that the reason wintertime is "cold and flu season", is because we don't receive as much sunlight, which is how the body normally synthesizes vitamin D.

Many doctors and other health professionals are beginning to recommend a daily supplement of vitamin D of anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily — especially in the winter!

Use Proper Hygiene

This is, of course, the primary preventative measure being recommended by the CDC.  There are a number of things included in this, such as:

• Try to avoid any contact with the face (nose, eyes, mouth) if at all avoidable, especially with your hands.
• Wash hands regularly; use soap, lathering for at least 30 seconds; use a paper towel or your elbow to cut off the water, especially in public.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if hand washing is not available.
• Cough into your elbow instead of your hands.
• Avoid contact with public surfaces with your hands whenever possible.
• Use an appropriate respirator (face mask) if you know you will be around those who may have the virus.

Adequately Rinse the Nose and Throat

Viruses, such as the 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus, have two primary routes to enter the body: the nose, and the throat.  Once you have been exposed, the virus incubates in the throat and nasal cavities, until it has proliferated enough to spread through the body and make you sick.

Many natural health experts are beginning to recommend adequately rinsing out these areas regularly to help prevent coming down with H1N1 symptoms – or any similar virus, for that matter.

They recommend gargling twice daily with warm salt water or hydrogen peroxide.  Similarly, it is recommended to use a neti pot with warm salt water to rinse the nasal cavities, or at the very least swab the inside of the nostrils with salt water or hydrogen peroxide.

Drinking (reasonably) hot liquids, such as tea and coffee, can also help, washing the incubating viruses into the stomach where they cannot survive.

Get Enough Sleep

Your immune system simply cannot function properly without sufficient sleep.  A full eight hours is crucially important to help your body fight off invaders like the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Consume Plenty of Garlic and Other Antiviral Herbs

Garlic really is a potent anti-microbial herb, and helps to boost the immune system as well.  For best performance, it should be eaten raw, or added to food just before being served, as the beneficial compounds begin to break down very quickly if cooked.

Many herbs – such as Elderberry extract, Olive leaf extract, and Grapeseed extract, among others – have multiple compounds in them which help to fight off invading viruses.  And unlike commercial pharmaceuticals, because they contain multiple components, they are far less likely to cause viruses to mutate and create resistant strains.

photo by Lazurite

Related Articles:

• What are the symptoms of swine flu? - know the symptoms of H1N1 swine flu
• H1N1 Swine Flu statistics update by CDC, 11-4-2009 - details the current US rates of ILI and H1N1 swine flu
• Importance of a good night's sleep, and ideas on how to get it - Some of the many reasons you need adequate sleep, and simple tips if you have trouble getting it
• Natural ways to boost immune system health - herbs, foods, and aromatherapy options to help reduce risk from viruses like the H1N1 swine flu
• Why is H1N1 also called Swine Flu? Common misconceptions - a look at the origins of the 2009 H1N1 virus, and influenza infections in pigs

For a touch of humor, be sure to check out these great I Survived the Swine Flu Panic t-shirts and more.

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