So You’ve Been Exposed to H1N1 – Now What?

We’re all overloaded to information about how to minimize our potential of catching the H1N1 virus but there’s been virtually no information about what to do once you’ve been exposed. Remember, there are only two places the virus will grow – your nose and your mouth/throat. There are several medically recommended steps that can help to minimize the amount the virus proliferates in your body. Of course, we all know to wash our hands frequently and keep them away from our nose and mouth to limit the potential for exposure. But once you’ve been exposed it will take two to three days for the virus to replicate sufficiently in your body to make you feel the actual symptoms of the virus. Gargling with warm salt water or a germicide mouthwash like Listerine twice a day will limit the viruses ability to proliferate in your mouth and throat. Likewise, clean your nostrils and nasal cavity by swabbing the nose with warm salt water and if you can, use the salt water like nose drops. Drinking plenty of warm liquids throughout the day such as tea will flush the virus into your stomach where it cannot replicate. Finally, vitamin C with zinc can also help minimize prolifereation of viruses in the throat. Taking these simple steps may not keep you from getting H1N1 or any other virus but they will help minimize the degree to which you take ill.

JoAnn Copperud, CEO – Emeryville, CA

Tags: colds and flu, flu season, H1N1, H1N1 Exposure, how to minimize illness from H1N1, medically recommended steps to counteract virus exposure, tips to stay healthy during winter