Tamiflu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation (繁衍) till the virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks (its natural cycle)．H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates (only) there．The only way of entry are the nostrils(鼻孔) and mouth/ throat．In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1．
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, some very simple steps can be practiced:
1．Frequent hand-washing．
2．"Hands-off-the-face" approach．Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe)．
3．Gargle(漱口) 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 nostrilsat least once every day with warm salt water，Which is very effective in bringing down viral population．
5．Strengthen 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 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．
7．All these are simple ways to prevent, within means of most households, and certainly much less painful than to wait in long queues outside public hospitals．
1．What part of a person’s body do H1N1flu viruses mainly infect?
A．one’s lung            B．the upper respiratory tract
C．one’s heart            D．one’s throat and lung
2．H1N1 flu viruses go into our bodies by ________．
A．touching          B．diet      C．breathing  D．dirt
3．What does the underlined word “underestimate” mean ?
A．assign too low a value to
B．drop the cost of
C．pay more attention to
D．calculate the number of money
4．The author presents this passage by ______．
A．telling an interesting story         B．testing an idea by reasoning
C．introducing some practical methods    D．describing some activities in a natural order

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