Tuesday, December 15, 2009

H1N1 - Unpublicized Preventative Steps

Friends,

Thanks to media hype about H1N1, I've received calls from several who trust me, to advise. The hype in media about the utility of face masks and N95 as a tool for general protection against H1N1 can't be deplored enough. Today, a friend who listened wanted me to write down briefly what I advised so that he could tell others in similar words. Hence this short email to friends whom I have advised recently.. Please realize that this is not an official advice, especially the one about face masks or N95.

Most N95 respirators are designed to filter 95% particulates of 0.3µ, while the size of H1N1 virus is about 0.1µ. Hence, dependence on N95 to protect against H1N1 is like protecting against rain with an umbrella made of mosquito net.

Tami flu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation. H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tracts and proliferates (only) there.. The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/ throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not the problem but proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps - not fully highlighted in most official communications - can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tami-flu):

1. Hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications)

2. "Hands-off-the- face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

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 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 Tami-flu 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 Sutra Neti (a very good Yoga asana to clean the 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.

Happy breathing!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Hi everybody,Ann here..This is my part in the report.Anybody can comment and give another idea.
PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY
To find out the causes of public responsibility
What we can do to protect ourselves?
1. Practice social distancing (keep at least 2-3 meters distance between ourself and another person).
2. As much as possible, refrain from shaking hands and “beso beso”
3. Eat and rest well.
4. Drink plenty of fluids.
5. Personal hygiene.
• Wash hands often
• Avoid touching mouth, nose and eyes with hands
• Keep work area, and home clean.
6. Whenever possible, cover mouth/nose when in public places like LRT/Buses.
How do we protect others?
1. Cover mouth when cough and sneeze.
2. Stay at home when are sick, and consult a doctor
Practise washing hands properly
Washing hands is best way to prevent infectious disease infection incident.
7 Measures washing hands with Water and Soap
1. impose water to hand and even perfectly soap
2. Brush both palm
3. Brush each finger and interdigital
4. Brush nail in palm
5. Brush back hand and interdigital
6. Wash hand with clean water
7. Dry off hand with clean cloth or tissue
Practise washing hands:
1. After sneeze / cough / blow nose
2. After touch object surface occur at public places such as ticket counters, enquiry counter, doorknob (door knob), ladder rail, inside hand holder public transport (bus / train / LRT)
3. After shake hands with individual experience flu symptom
4. Whenever hand is dirty h influenza A(H1N1)
Practise washing hands properly
Society
Role mask in health care atmosphere?
• Use mask can reduce influenza infection.
• Facial protector usage advice must attached with right method of use training, right size (example : mask N95), fixed supply and incineration facility mask right.
• Surgical mask can applies if no direct contact with H1N1 patient. It also can make as alternative if supplies mask N95 not enough (for this situation, mask N95 only required to be used for procedure sprinkle / spray).
Role mask in society
• No solid proof on application mask especially in open space. But, it can be used at close range and had direct contact to them suspected suffering from influenza.
• Public can wear surgical mask at home or in neighborhood, especially if those directly communicated with individual suspected suffering from influenza. For example during giving treatment and care to family member.
• Wearing mask enable those suspected suffering from influenza protect their mouth and nose and also help control liquid drop dispersion, also act as some cough politeness.
• Mask can also be suggested on those high risk
WHO role
WHO suggestion about Hand Hygiene
a. For individual healthy ones :
• Maintain distance at least lack of 1 metres from individuals suspected suffering from influenza :
• Do not touch mouth and nose.
• Often clean hand with water and soap and use cleaning product hand feel alcohol, especially if touch mouth and nose and surface which might can be polluted.
• As far as possible, evade from touch close to them ill.
• As far as possible also, evade from were in crowded place;
• Get good aeration in residence
• by constantly open window
b. For individual suspected to experience influenza :
• Stay-at-home if you do not feel well and adhered to doctor ' orders ;
• Maintain distance at least 1 metres from those healthy and and wear mask when having touch with family member.
• Shut up and nose during cough or sneeze with tissue or handkerchief to prevent line spread respiratory. Immediately throw tissue that was used into rubbish bin and wash hand with soap and water.
• Make sure aeration at home is good.
School and educational institution
What does it mean with closure school/ institution?
When a school / institution closed down as influenza A infection(H1N1), it means all students including support staff teacher and other required to be home.
It aimed to prevent spreading of contagion infuenza A(H1N1) and further ensure individual experience symptoms influenza like illness to rest at home until recovered so that people only that bared to Influenza A infection(H1N1) this.
Public transportation sector
Visit those countries is beset Influenza A (H1N1)
Visits to countries hit by epidemic must be postponed. If journey could not be avoided, take preventive measures following:
• Know outbreak area or those areas experience influenza A(H1N1) high.
• Avoid visit crowded places.
• Avoid come in contact with influenza A patient(H1N1). If forced contiguous with patient, use suitable respiratory protection tool.
• Cleanliness guard all the time self. Frequent wash hand with water and soap especially after sneeze or cough.
• Use tissue or handkerchief when cough or sneeze. Throw tissue in rubbish bin.
• If fall ill, IMMEDIATE gets treatment.




Industrial sector
Special counsel for employees
• Ask IMMEDIATE employee report to supervisor if experience flu any phenomenon. Supervisor is responsible to report the matter to Human Resources immediately if get reports that way.
• Advise employees who experience flu symptom to take action as follows:
• Immediate employee than working if they ill
• Use mouth cover and nose (mask) and IMMEDIATE gets treatment in nearby clinic
• Evade from close contact with other employee
• Individual which accompanies patient also need wearing mask