[oowolf]

Influenza A survival on banknotes: disturbing--
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18359825
"survival of innoculum (on banknotes) in the presence of respiratory mucus showed a striking increase in survival time (UP TO 17 DAYS) emphasis mine.

[Nefarious]

Just wanted to throw this in on hepa filters

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'H')EPA is an acronym for "high efficiency particulate absorbing" or "high efficiency particulate arrestance" or, as officially defined by the Department of Energy (DOE) "high efficiency particulate air".This type of air filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 micrometres (μm) at 85 litres per minute (Lpm). In some cases, they can even remove or reduce viral contamination. The diameter specification of 0.3 responds to the most penetrating particle size (MPPS). Particles that are smaller or larger are trapped with even higher efficiency. Using the worst case particle size results in the worst case efficiency rating (ie, 99.97% or better for all particle sizes).

HEPA filters are also employed to filter out highly hazardous aerosols such as those that are radioactive, biohazardous and highly toxic (eg. carcinogins). In the event of a nuclear, biological or chemical outbreak, HEPA filters are the last line of defense between the contamination and the those who could be exposed to it.

[basil_hayden]

What Nefarious is trying to say is the masks will stop fomites (i.e. flying spit and mucous from you or others) but it won't stop free-floating individual virus.

(Now why the heck would a virus just want to hang around mid-air without any flying spit and mucous to bask in? Point?)

Anyhow, many thanks to the herbalists here like oowolf, deMolay and two others I can't recall right now from deMolay's thread. I have no knowledge but I do have the capability to apply new knowledge, especially pre-emptively.

It's cool how almost all the peak oil preps are completely applicable to situations ranging from pandemic to nuclear holocaust.

(By the way OP, it's Preparation, not Preperation; makes things easier to search when they're spelled right.)

[alokin]

Can the virus be spread by items or touching someone else? Is it true that the virus can survive 17 days?
Isn't the main infection way breathing in of viruses?

I am not medically trained, but I think reducing the number of virus intake is the way to go. Your immune system will sweep up the rest in most cases.

Like to teach kids to wash hands with hot water and soap after school and leave fingers away from their face and mouth and to not chew on anything. (highly theoretical in practice they won't do this)

I am afraid that the virus enters in AC systems and that you might get it easily in big buildings.

[Jotapay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jotapay', 'I') actually may have it right now and I'm suppressing my immune system. Right now I work for a very large manufacturing company in Austin in a huge, very enclosed building where 2,000+ people work. 200+ people probably walk by my cube every day. There are quite a few people coughing here this morning. I emailed the nursing staff to ask them what the procedures are if employees are confirmed to have H1N1, but no response yet.

[Jotapay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ptarmigan', 'h')ttp://www.the-health-gazette.com/health-gazette-blog/alternative-medicine/natural-antivirals

Gives a list of products to eat to avoid the cytokine storm, the list also has references to scientific publications for those who are interested.

Garlic
Tumeric
Cranberry
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Green tea

My plan is to attack this virus with anything and everything, pray to the garlic spirit and then eat a handful
To avoid the dehydration I need to drink so why not drink cranberry juice, even if it just raises my chance a little its always something.

Also check
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/51913.php

They write about why the influenza attacks us during winter....no sun...no Vitamin D produced in our bodies....hence eat more Vitamin D and expose bigger part of your body to the sun.

[Nefarious]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('basil_hayden', 'W')hat Nefarious is trying to say is the masks will stop fomites (i.e. flying spit and mucous from you or others) but it won't stop free-floating individual virus.

(Now why the heck would a virus just want to hang around mid-air without any flying spit and mucous to bask in? Point?)

[alokin]

You can get ill from one virus, but this is unlikely but if you inhale one million then you have more chance to get ill. From this standpoint, the paper masks make a lot of sense. And try to wear a really tight mask the whole day.

Every day you eat drink inhale millions of viruses without getting sick only some times it hits you.

We should think of reasonable reactions and leave a bit the paranoia out.

[Narz]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'F')lu Preparation

[Jotapay]

I'm not sure what to say here because it sounds so odd, but in my case, drinking about 7 oz of vodka w/tonic water has completely negated the symptoms. I have not coughed once since I got home from work about 6 hours ago. I was sitting at work coughing up crap (phlegm) at the end of the day and now I feel completely fine. I'm sure it will change once I've sat at work for a few hours tomorrow when the coughing comes back, like happened today.

[Pops]

I think your point is taken Nef.

The closer one gets to 100% transmissibility, 100% virulence and 100% usage the more you'd want a 100% perfect barrier. And I'm sure you are right as well that proper fitting and adjustment are required for a perfect seal.

Of course one would need perfectly airtight and impermeable whole body protection, a means to decontaminate the equipment completely after possible contact and then finally a perfectly sealed and filtered place to go once the protection is off to achieve a perfect barrier.

So lets just say those disposable paper masks on TV may reduce casual exposure slightly whereas much more elaborate and expensive systems would be appropriate for longer term or more concentrated exposure.

[WildRose]

The information below discusses herbs, juices, etc. which may be helpful in reducing cytokine storm and/or are
natural antivirals, also which foods or herbs to avoid:

http://groups.google.com/group/sci.med. ... 3459ba1462

Quite a few articles mention apple juice as helpful. I remembered reading that a couple of years ago
when considering what I should have on hand in case of a pandemic.

[uNkNowN ElEmEnt]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')e aren't concerned here which of your favorite Evil Doers cooked up this headache in their top secret dungeon, slush funded undisclosed location or dorm-room

[Blueberry]

Masks keep hands off mouths and noses -- avianflutalk has some good mask info, as well as other preparedness ideas.

Vaporizers and humidifiers -- something I haven't heard much about, but can increase hydration and ease breathing if the need arises.

We went and stocked up on food, meds and some indoor toys (turtle sandbox filled with rice) for the kids since I'm not taking them to the park right now.

[jasica]

my dr also recommended olive leaf extract , and cats claw as an antiviral.
I used both for a while and noticed a small improvement in symptoms.
I dont think it was a very expensive brand. around $30 i think
Noticed more symptom relief on the antiviral drug zovirax, but i was still pretty sick.

I dont know if you read about it or not, but there was an update to the valcyte study and the results werent that good

[deMolay]

The very strange thing is that it is avian/swine/human. I don't think that has ever happened before except in a lab. It is a H1N1 virus, same as the 1918 variety.

[Jotapay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('deMolay', 'T')he very strange thing is that it is avian/swine/human. I don't think that has ever happened before except in a lab. It is a H1N1 virus, same as the 1918 variety.

[RedStateGreen]

The vodka advice is interesting. Vodka is good to have around in any case as you can make so many things with it.

I'm a huge proponent of garlic; I was writing a book on garlic at one point. It is antiviral, antifungal and also has some antibiotic properties. It's also good for high cholesterol. The only people who shouldn't take it are those on blood thinners or who have bleeding disorders, as it thins the blood also.

[RedStateGreen]

Got some bleach yesterday. I looked for any kind of mask but our local pharmacy was already out. No one is wearing them here, of course.

It seems that masks would be easy to make and probably work as well as the dust ones.

But I have food for probably 3-6 months, water, lotsa garlic (we eat it all the time anyway). We should do okay.

[Arsenal]

Picked up some:

Masks
More food (rice, beans, canned fruit, etc)
Alcohol
Sanitizer

Home Depot was almost out of masks here but honestly I don't know how many they keep on hand at any given time so that could just be coincidence.