I know most of you (especially you fellow moms) are concerned about the flu this season. I know not many of us can avoid public places for the next six months. But what can we do?
How can we protect ourselves and our children?
Is the vaccine safe?
Where can I get the vaccine?
The more research I do about H1N1, and about it's vaccine the more firmly I sit on the proverbial fence. Much of the information out there is contradictory. And much of it is open to personal interpretation.
Who can I trust?
Who is telling the truth?
Who is just trying to cover themselves legally?
Who is overly paranoid?
Who is just trying to make a buck?
And in the midst of all this insanity I have some across some great suggestions for keeping yourself healthy, regardless of whether or not you choose to vaccinate.
I just had to share. I wouldn't want any of you to get sick!
1. Frequent hand-washing. This is nothing new. We've all heard this one. I am personally guilty of buying two bottles of hand sanitizer EVERY time I go to Wal mart. I think I'm addicted.
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face. This one is very hard for me to enforce with Preston, the finger-sucker.
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust/like salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate (grow or multiply) 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. Clean your nostrils at least once everyday with warm salt water. Blowing your nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with Q tips dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population. Using a nasal spray would also work. Although I noticed a shortage of nasal spray the last time I was at the grocery store.
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. Drink warm liquids. 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. We've been enjoying a lot of hot chocolate and hot apple cider around here. Hmm, that reminds me. I should make a batch of Autumn Punch. You can find the recipe HERE on my other blog.
I hope this helps. I know I feel a lot better about sending my child to school, attending church, and going to the grocery store.
I will not live in fear!
3 comments. . . I Love Comments!:
Thank you very much, this was very informative!! I need to start giving my children some hot chocolate, especially in the freezing mornings!!!
Thanks for the advice. I didn't know that about the gargling and the nose bath. It makes good sense, though.
And who really needs another excuse to make themselves a cup of hot apple cider or cocoa? Yummm...
Thanks for the advise today. I've gone back and forth on whether or not to get the H1N1 vaccine for my kiddo. We've been avoiding church too because of all the germs that could be lerking behind the corner, but you are right living in fear won't get anyone anywhere.
Satan would want us to avoid church, hew wants us to miss out on blessings, and besides having faith is what the Lord teaches us. So I guess I'm stepping up, hand sanitizer ready for use and off to church we go.
I loved the ideas with the warm salt water. Never knew that. Thanks for doing the research for all your blog readers. :)
Post a Comment