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busdriver · Journeyman Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 3497

Subject: FW: H1N1 SWINE FLU vs COLDS

The Difference between Cold and Swine Flu Symptoms

Symptom Cold -Swine Flu

Fever -Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.

Coughing -A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches -Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.

Stuffy Nose -Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.

Chills- Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the flu experience chills.

Tiredness -Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.

Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Sneezing is not common with the flu.

Sudden Symptoms -Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache -A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat-- Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.

Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.

Chest Discomfort- Chest discomfort is mild to20moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

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 so much of a problem as 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 Tamiflu):

1. Frequent 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/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 using a Neti pot, but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton swabs dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

I suggest you pass this on to your entire e-list; you never know who might pay attention to it - and STAY ALIVE because of it!

=

Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Thanks for the tips!
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OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject:

Now I know for sure that my hubby & I had the swine flu last month!
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amom · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject:

Thank you, Bus. It's a good summary.
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dick · Journeyman Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 3134

OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:13 pm Post subject:

I have sinus problems...Maybe I should start orally douching too! Laughing

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"If by a 'Liberal' they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties ... if that is what they mean by a 'Liberal,' then I’m proud to say I’m a 'Liberal.'" ~ Senator John F. Kennedy 9/14/1960

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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

We have a few oral douches on here.
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OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject:

ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

I love this thread, BTW...
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amom · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject:

Nice new signature there Ellipses. Wink

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ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

Gee Tanks

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OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject:

LOL@ E's signature!
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"If by a 'Liberal' they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties ... if that is what they mean by a 'Liberal,' then I’m proud to say I’m a 'Liberal.'" ~ Senator John F. Kennedy 9/14/1960

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busdriver · Journeyman Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 3497

OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:59 pm Post subject:

Good tips, Bus!
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"If by a 'Liberal' they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties ... if that is what they mean by a 'Liberal,' then I’m proud to say I’m a 'Liberal.'" ~ Senator John F. Kennedy 9/14/1960

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busdriver · Journeyman Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 3497