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Protecting
against swine-flu
Dr. G. Mohan, BHMS
Governments from all
around the world are finding ways to combat this deadly
disease. What can one do to protect him?
All of us can maintain good immunity. Just follow simple
steps give below:
1. Maintain hygiene - Use soaps to cleanse your
hands. Wash them often, at least 15 seconds and rinse
with running water.
2. Sleep well - Try to get 8 hours of good sleep
every night to keep immune system in top flu-fighting
shape.
3. Drink adequate fluids - Drink 2 - 3 litres of
water each day to flush toxins from system and maintain
good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.
4. Eat healthy - Keeping body strong and well
nourished by eating whole grains, vegetables, and
fruits.
5. Avoid alcohol - Alcohol can act as immune
suppressant. It can actually decrease resistance to
viral infections like swine flu.
6. Exercise regularly - Exercise can support the
immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating
the body. A brisk walk of half hour daily will increase
immunity.
7. Avoid crowded areas - Flu virus spreads when
particles dispersed into the air through a cough or
sneeze reach of carrier or infected patient. So if one
have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few
feet away from them and especially, avoid physical
contact. Avoid crowded area as chances of catching
infections are higher in crowded areas.
8. Wash yourself after a visit to crowded area -
If one happen to go in a crowded area, avoid touching
one’s eyes, nose or mouth. After visit to a crowded area
properly wash the exposed parts with soap and put the
cloths worn during this visit to crowded areas for wash.
9. Avoid unnecessary travel – Avoiding
unnecessary travel will reducing the risk of exposure.
Any unnecessary trip outside should be avoided.
10. Get help - Consult doctor if you have a cough
and fever and follow their instructions, including
taking medicine as prescribed.
In nutshell –
1. Don’t get stressed by the fear of getting the swine
flu. Stress can decreases immunity.
2. Remember that the flu doesn't kill everyone and in
most cases may prove benign. Not every 'infection'
becomes a full blown 'disease'. Most infections are
taken care of by the body even before one knows that he
was infected.
3. Mild exercise, meditation or yoga and healthy
nutritious diet can help keep immune system in good
condition and able to ward of any infections. Most
infections affect gravely those people who have low
immunity. So instead of panicking about the flu, stay
calm and focus on becoming a healthy. |
