A Surprisingly Simple Way to Avoid Getting the Swine Flu
by www.SixWise.com
As of August 30, 2009 (the most recent date for which data was available), 9,079 hospitalizations and 593 deaths associated with the H1N1 swine flu virus have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Eighty percent of all infections are spread when you touch a germ and then touch your mouth, eyes and nose. |
While influenza activity continues to be on the rise in the United States -- about 1 million cases have been recorded in the U.S. -- keep in mind that related deaths are still uncommon and well below the 36,000 deaths that occur each year from seasonal flu viruses. Further, if you look at the CDC’s Flu View map you can see that many states are reporting only sporadic influenza activity; just six states have reported widespread activity.
Further, the World Health Organization continues to report that swine flu causes “very mild illness” in healthy people and points out that you will not be able to tell the difference between seasonal flu and swine flu without medical help. They point out that “typical symptoms to watch for are similar to seasonal viruses and include fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and runny nose.”
However, unlike with seasonal flu, H1N1 has caused more disease in people under the age of 25. It appears those over 60 years may not be at an increased risk because they have some level of immunity. According to the CDC, “About one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus.”
Typically, those who are at an increased risk of complications from a flu virus include:
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People 65 years and older (but, again, this does not appear to be the case for H1N1)
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Children younger than 5 years old
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Pregnant women
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People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
“About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this 2009 H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at “high risk” of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease,” the CDC states.
What to Know as Flu Season Draws Nearer …
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and the best thing you can do to prevent all types of flu, including swine flu, and stay healthy is lead a healthy lifestyle. This means eating fresh, non-processed foods, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and making sure stress does not get out of hand. With a healthy lifestyle, your immune system will be functioning at its best, and if you do come down with the flu it will easily be able to defeat the virus.
Striving for a healthy lifestyle is something you can do each and every day, regardless of whether or not there's a threat of swine flu in your area, as doing so will help you to ward off all kinds of other illnesses as well.
Beyond that, since flu viruses are transmitted the way many germs are ... from person to person or via infected object that you touch, then transfer the germs from your hand to your nose, mouth, eyes or ears. It’s been found that 80 percent of all infections are spread when you touch a germ and then touch your mouth, eyes and nose.
Further, a new analysis by infectious disease specialists and biostatisticians mimicked the spread of a flu virus and found about 30 to 40 percent of transmission will occur in households and about 20 percent in schools. They also estimated the flu will probably spread through September and peak in mid- to late October.
"Whenever you're contaminated by touching things that other people have touched -- desks or tabletops in the lunchroom -- you really should wash your hands before eating or drinking or touching your face," Dr. Philip Tierno, director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University's Langone Medical Center, told The Baltimore Sun.
Keeping Your Hands Clean is a Key to Preventing the Flu
The swine flu virus can survive on objects like desks and doorknobs for two to eight hours, according to the CDC. And it’s highly likely that you WILL come into contact with it, or another virus … potentially many hundreds of times a day.
So it turns out mom's advice to wash your hands with soap was right all along. In fact, hand washing with soap and water has been proven to be the best way to get disease-causing viruses off of your hands.
But there are a couple of problems with hand-washing that must be addressed. First, if you wash your hands too often, you may actually dry out and damage your skin – and your skin is actually the best defense against invading viruses. If your dry hands crack or have other tiny abrasions from excessive handwashing, it will allow an entry point for viruses.
Second, handwashing is not always convenient or possible. For instance, if you shake hands with a colleague or go grocery shopping, it’s not possible to wash your hands right away and you may end up touching your eyes, nose or mouth before you do, providing another entryway for viruses.
What is More Convenient and Gentler on Your Hands Than Soap and Water That Does NOT Have Toxins Like Purell and Other Hand Sanitizers?
There is some concern that antibacterial liquids like hand sanitizers may limit children’s exposure to germs, to the point their immune systems are negatively impacted.
For more on this please read The Hygiene Hypothesis: Are You Being Too Clean for Your Own Good?.
Next, hand sanitizers, including one of the leading brands, Purell, have been given a seven out of 10 score for toxicity (with 10 being the highest hazard) by the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. According to Skin Deep, ingredients in Purell Hand Sanitizer are linked to:
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Cancer
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Developmental/reproductive toxicity
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Allergies/immunotoxicity
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Neurotoxicity
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Endocrine disruption
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Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
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Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
Further, several of the ingredients have noted violations, restrictions and warnings and have been labeled as contamination concerns, occupational hazards, and causing biochemical or cellular level changes.
So the best alternative to soap and water -- ideal for use when you can’t get to a sink or have been washing your hands to the point they are getting dry and cracked -- are PerfectClean Hospital-Grade Microfiber hand wipes.
These wipes are used by hospitals, schools and other commercial organizations that require ultra-clean environments. PerfectClean's ultramicrofiber construction combined with a patented antimicrobial chemistry enables these clothes to reach deep into microscopic crevices of all surfaces, including your hands, to remove pathogens in their path... that is because at an astonishing 3 microns, the ultramicrofibers are even smaller than most bacteria (each cleaning cloth contains over 300 miles of actual cleaning surface!).
PerfectClean products are completely safe, reducing or even eliminating the need for harsh soaps and cleaners. You can use the hand wipes dry or dampened only with water for the most effective clean.
In fact, we recommend carrying a PerfectClean Microfiber hand wipe in your pocket and wiping your hand discreetly any time you shake hands or touch a public surface (especially door knobs, shopping cart handles, light switches and other heavily contaminated but rarely cleaned surfaces). Because swine flu has also been spreading around schools, we recommend you tuck one in your child’s backpack and teach him or her to wipe his hands regularly throughout the day.
Special Savings Offer Just in Time for Flu Season
For your health we have just gotten special pricing that we are passing along to you.
10 Hospital-Grade MicroFiber Hand Wipes. You get: (5) 12" Terry Cloths and (5) 12" Silk Hand Wipes (5 hand wipes and 5 hand silk wipes)
Was $71.90
Now $18.50
Over 70% OFF
Until Nov. 1, 2009
20 Hospital-Grade MicroFiber Hand Wipes. You Get: (10) 12" Terry Cloths and (10) 12" Silk Hand Wipes
(5 hand wipes and 5 hand silk wipes)
Was $153.80
Now $33.95
Nearly 80% OFF
Until Nov. 1, 2009
We are passing along the best price we can to assure you can take immediate advantage of these amazing cloths. For a small investment you can make a major difference in your family’s health come flu season.
How to Use Hospital-Grade Microfiber Hand Wipes
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Place in your pocket or purse. Wipe and rub your hands and fingers thoroughly after you come into contact with people through handshakes or when you touch surfaces that others have touched.
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Clean surfaces using Hand Wipes from your car steering wheel and doorknobs, to all the various surfaces throughout your home and office.
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Use these wipes to clean anywhere others touch: on your desktop, telephone, keyboard, door knobs & door frames, chair-arms/back, mirror surfaces, file cabinets, other office furniture and other large surfaces. Can be used dry or lightly dampened.
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Wipe frequently touched areas once per day, more frequently during flu season or anytime others visit your office and/or use your office equipment
More Flu-Fighting Tips to Add to Your Arsenal
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Consider taking a high-quality probiotic supplement, such as Nature’s Sources AbsorbAid Probiotic, to boost your immune health.
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Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, nose or ears unless you've washed your hands just prior, especially if you've been out in public areas.
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Reduce, when possible, being in contact with masses of people in public places -- but when you are carry PerfectClean Microfiber Hand Wipes to wipe hands frequently to remove possible bacteria and viruses as much as possible. (Because this is so very IMPORTANT SixWise has gained for you an over 70% to nearly 80% reduced cost NOW – Nov. 1 for 10 to 20 Hospital-Grade Hand Wipes that you can use and give to family and friends.)
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Avoid close contact with sick people.
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If you’re sick stay home from work or school, limit close contact with others and wear a surgical mask (especially in public places) when you feel sick so you don't pass along the flu to others.
Recommended Reading
Is Swine Flu Being Exaggerated? What We Can Learn From History … Including the 1918 Flu Pandemic
“Children being USED as Swine Flu Vaccine Guinea Pigs!” Will YOU be TOO? What to do? PLUS 60 Minutes Exposé Warnings!
Sources
U.S. News and World Report September 10, 2009
Baltimore Sun September 10, 2009
Flu.gov
Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews