Can Whiskey Prevent the Swine Flu
Can whiskey prevent the Swine flu? While many offer the automatic, “of course not” response, it appears that a Russian football enthusiast supports the idea of drinking whiskey to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus. President of the Russian football supporters association, Alexander Shprygin, offers the whiskey suggestion.

The Russian government is urging people to avoid traveling to Britain because of the possibility of the swine flu spreading. Alexander Shprygin suggests that fans that support the Russian football team should show their support by showing up in Wales for the qualifying competition in September held in Cardiff. The answer to the potential for catching the virus according to Shprygin is to drink Welsh whiskey.
Healthy Team, Healthy Fans
Russian’s health ministry continues to urge fans to avoid unnecessary travel, but fans of the football team suggest that their primary concern is the health of the team. The notion that Welsh whiskey can ward off the swine flu is not supported by established health organizations, and it is important to note that Alexander Shprygin does not practice medicine, orthodox or alternative.
Shprygin asserts that drinking Welsh whiskey is a “form of disinfection” that “should cure all symptoms of the disease.” This statement has yet to be evaluated by proper health representatives, but it appears that most don’t support the claim. The primary consideration is the health and wellbeing of the team, which is what makes fans want to travel in spite of health warnings.
Can Whiskey Ward off Infection?
Whiskey is a natural disinfectant, but this does not make it a form of immunization against any virus. The drink would be most effective used as a hand sanitizer to avoid spread of the disease through direct contact. Those carrying flasks filled with whiskey may be better off using it to wash their hands rather than taking shots.
Whiskey has a long history for its medicinal purposes, including treating colds and flu viruses. However, the suggestion that drinking a lot of Welsh whiskey can “cure all symptoms” is confusing. Curing symptoms and curing a disease are two different things.
Can Whiskey Cure the Swine Flu?
A person may be “cured” of symptoms of a disease but still carry the disease. This is one of the problems with orthodox medications that mask symptoms without treating their underlying causes. A person may not feel the symptoms as intensely while under the influence, but this does not mean that the virus is not in his or her system.
Fans that want to show support for their team have many things they can do to lessen the chances of catching the swine flu virus. Drinking whiskey is perfectly acceptable in moderation, but using it to disinfect hands is more likely to prevent spread than drinking it. Precautions include:
• Wash hands frequently
• Wear an respiratory mask while in crowds
• Swine flu vaccines may be appropriate for some, especially those planning to attend a crowded event.
Though whiskey can’t cure the swine flu or stop its spread, it is a remedy for a number of other conditions. Fans can enjoy their sporting events without overdosing on whiskey as a means to prevent infections.
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