by Sara Mcgrath

Created on: January 05, 2011   Last Updated: February 20, 2011

A few simple precautions to protect your nose and mouth can prevent cold and flu germs from infecting and proliferating within your body.

During cold and flu season, or a pandemic outbreak of flu virus such as the recent outbreak of H1N1 swine flu, avoiding contact with the virus or bacteria may be difficult or virtually impossible. Whether or not you choose to get a flu vaccine injection (allergy warning: contains egg), the following simple but effective steps can prevent the spread of flu virus or cold germs after exposure.

Cold and Flu Prevention Practices

1. Wash your hands frequently.

2. Keep your hands off your face.

3. Consider wearing a face mask.

4. Gargle twice a day (or more) with warm salt water or mouth wash to flush out flu germs.

5. Clean your nostrils once a day (or more) with warm salt water to reduce the viral population.

6. Boost your natural immunity with foods rich in vitamin C, as well as vitamin A, vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics. Zinc boosts the absorption of vitamin C supplements.

7. Drink plenty of warm liquids (i.e., coffee, tea, broth) to flush viruses out of your throat and into your stomach where they cannot proliferate.

About H1N1 Swine Flu Viral Infection

H1N1 flu virus takes several days after entering the body to spread and present symptoms. Gargling with salt water, cleaning the nose, and drinking hot liquids can flush flu germs from the body before they have sufficient time to spread.

About the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine

The H1N1 flu vaccine contains egg, a common allergen, and may contain mercury (thimerosol), formaldehyde, squalene, and other potentially harmful ingredients. See more warnings against getting the flu vaccine. People with family history of allergies or autoimmune diseases may be more susceptible to injury from these ingredients.

Help Children Learn About the Swine Flu

Children can learn about the H1N1 flu through a free swine flu movie provided by BrainPOP.com. In addition, Seattle and King County Public Health (Washington) developed the 12-page comic book, No Ordinary Flu, to help teach kids and families about pandemic flu. The comic tells the story of a family's experience during the 1918 influenza pandemic and explains the threat of a flu pandemic today, what to expect, and how to prepare. King County also provides a free Stop Germs, Stay Healthy! poster to teach kids about swine flu and stay healthy practices.

Remember: Your nose and mouth are the primary points of entry for flu germs. Your hands can carry cold and flu germs to your nose and mouth. Wash your hands often and keep them away from your face. Flush out germs by gargling with salt water and by drinking warm beverages.

References:

Booth, Sarah and Kelsey Hills-Evans. Pandemic Influenza: Preparation and Response: A Citizen's Guide. InSTEDD, May, 2009.

Watkins, Marj. Kitchen Medicine: Cold Comfort. The Epoch Times, December 2008.

Meadows, Michelle. Beat the Winter Bugs: How to Hold Your Own Against Colds and Flu. FDA Consumer, Vol. 35, December 2001.

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