H1N1

[westmom]

ZacK:

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate 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. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

Sounds like sensible advices. For cleaning nostril, I wonder whether sea salt spray like Sterimar will do the same job? I use it on dd and also on myself occasionally before H1N1 as basic nasal hygiene ...so now must \"up\" the frequency. My mum use it when she feels her \"sinus\" is about to resurface and it seems to provide some relief.

[ZacK]

westmom:

Sounds like sensible advices. For cleaning nostril, I wonder whether sea salt spray like Sterimar will do the same job? I use it on dd and also on myself occasionally before H1N1 as basic nasal hygiene ...so now must \"up\" the frequency. My mum use it when she feels her \"sinus\" is about to resurface and it seems to provide some relief.

I have a habit of blowing my nostrils when I shower but do not swab salt water on my nostrils, I guess anything salt based shd do the trick ... Also I find that whenever I use listrine, it seems to curb my throat infections

[Honey]

Would you give your kids or yourself the above vaccine, especially for those who are travelling to the Northern Heimesphere?

[AppleTree]

Hi, I have the exact same query too. Not sure if the vaccine is safe for kids. …What about the normal flu jab? Is that safe for kids too. My child is now only 5yrs. Thks.

[sunset_dae]

AppleTree:

Hi, I have the exact same query too. Not sure if the vaccine is safe for kids. ...What about the normal flu jab? Is that safe for kids too. My child is now only 5yrs. Thks.

My child had his flu vaccine when he is 2 year old.
I get very upset when he always come back from the childcare centre with runny nose. It made him lose his appetite and he hasnt been sleeping well with the blocked nose..
I called up the polyclinic and was told that a vaccine is available for children at his age and i immediately made an appt and pull him for the jab! The vaccination does not prevent all flu viruses, however most of the common cold, flu and viruses seem to vanish after he had taken the jab.
Doctor vistis also has been cut down.
I will \"Chiong\" to bring him to the H1N1 vaccine once it is available as prevention is better than cure.. :lol:

[kaydenbrown]

Definitely it is necessary. The virus is going to get a lot worse during the winter months.

[AppleTree]

Hi Sunset Dae,


Did you asked the doctor about any possible side effects? I am worried about introducing some unknown drugs to my son’s body… Especially about the H1N1 jab, as it is so new… I have heard that some child gets negative side effects of losing their concentration due to the flu jab. That’s why I’m abit hesitant. Thanks again.

[sunset_dae]

Its the nurse that did the injection. she told me side effects would be having a fever and child would also be having a runny nose because they are introducing the flu virus into his body.

[AppleTree]

Thanks Sunset Dae for the reply.

[tankee]

side effect of fever is quite normal after vaccine injection.



for me, I’ll skip the H1N1 vaccine for now for the following 2 reasons

1. Vaccine is new - yet to be truly proven in the real world. I’m concern of (in case there is) unknown side effect that may cause long term damages to vital organs.

2. H1N1 is quite mild.

Perhaps when the vaccine is more "matured" or if the H1N1 becomes more deadly, then I would consider.