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H1 NI ADVICE FROM DR OZ

I just received an e mail from a friend, John, from the y regarding protecting you and your family from the H1N1 virus.

Dr Oz and his health team of professionals suggest these tips to protect yourself. Since the virus is spread mainly from person to person there is a lot that you can do.

Get Vaccinated: The National Institute of Health are working to provide vaccine in time to protect against mid-winter peak. Please make sure that you get a good night’s sleep the day before you get your shot. Sleep can boost the effectiveness of immunization.

Wash your hands:The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that hand washing the number one way that you can prevent the spread of disease. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water. Aim for a minimum of 20 seconds. An alcohol based hand sanitizer can be used if a sink is not near bye.

Sneeze or Cough into the crook of your elbow. There are thousands of saliva droplets that contain millions of viruses in a typical cough or sneeze.

Keep your hands off of your face: Germs enter the blood stream through various mucus membranes. Try not to rub your eyes or put your finger near your mouth.

Take Vitamin D: Vitamin D is produced in the body during exposure to sunlight. During the winter months we tend to get less exposure to Vitamin D. Supplements are recommended to better avoid seasonal flu. Flu epidemics seem to occur in places where solar radiation is low.

Stay Hydrated: During the winter months we have a tendency to lose fluids when are heated homes and dry air rob us of moisture. You will know if your are hydrated when your urine is clear pale yellow. Dark yellow is a sign that your urine is concentrated and you need to drink.

Get out in an open space: Cold weather usually brings us in doors, Spend some time outdoors and get some fresh air.
Keep fit: Aerobic activities improves the exchange of oxygen to keep the immune system strong and lungs clear.

Eat your greens/blues and oranges: Dark /colourful fruits and vegetables are loaded with immune boosting photochemicals. Plant a rainbow on your plate and dig in.
Eat Probiotics: They are the good live bacteria found in fermented food products such as yogurt.

Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive drinking depresses the immune system and compromises liver function.

Stay Home if you are sick: The symptoms of H12N1 include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, chills, fatigue. Please stay home for 24 hours after your fever is normal without the aid of fever reducers then you can go about your normal activities.

With the wise counsel of Dr Oz and a little bit of luck we will avoid being another statistic to the H1N1 virus.

Len Lesser