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In May of this year, we provided some advice on H1N1 influenza (improperly named “swine flu” because it has bird as well as human components to it).
There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers estimated that between 1.8 million and 5.7 million cases, including 9,000-21,000 hospitalizations, occurred between April and July of 2009.
The disease has taken off again this fall, with at least 46 states showing...
In May of this year, we provided some advice on H1N1 influenza (improperly named “swine flu” because it has bird as well as human components to it).
There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers estimated that between 1.8 million and 5.7 million cases, including 9,000-21,000 hospitalizations, occurred between April and July of 2009.
The disease has taken off again this fall, with at least 46 states showing widespread influenza activity. Worldwide, as of mid-October, 414,000 cases had been confirmed and nearly 5,000 deaths reported. (In a typical flu season, there are 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations due to the regular flu.)
H1N1 does not cause a particularly aggressive form of influenza. But two characteristics make it of particular concern. First, it appears to be a new form of influenza, so the pool of susceptible people is large. Typically, influenza is most common among young children and adults over 65, but many older people appear to have been exposed to a similar virus in the past and are much more likely to be immune, there are relatively few cases in that age group, though the cases can be severe.
Second, young children and pregnant women appear to be at particularly high risk of severe complications of H1N1. As in seasonal flu, patients with certain conditions are also at increased risk for complications: asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease and certain neurological diseases.
CDC’s H1N1 vaccination recommendations reflect these factors. The highest priority groups for vaccination are:
- pregnant women
- people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
- health care and emergency medical services personnel
- people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
- people between the ages of 25 and 64 years who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
People 10 years of age and older need only receive one dose of vaccine. Those 9 and under should receive two doses, four weeks apart.
In general, people should always take the following public health precautions:
- Washing your hands or using hand sanitizer frequently
- Avoiding sick people and surfaces they have touched, sneezed or coughed on
- Not touching your nose, mouth or eyes
- Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- If you suspect you have the flu, staying home until at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided.
You may be tempted to take either antiviral drugs or unapproved nostrums available over the Internet and elsewhere. In both cases, particularly the latter, we urge caution.
The two Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza are oseltamivir (TAMIFLU) and zanamivir (RELENZA). Most patients do not need to take drugs for influenza and will recover without any serious complication. Antivirals should be administered within 48 hours of the onset of illness and are most important for those at risk of developing complications of influenza, although the drugs have not actually been proved to reduce these complications. If administered early in the course of the illness, the duration of illness is reduced by only about one to two days.
The two drugs are also approved to prevent influenza, but a review by the respected Cochrane Collaboration concluded that “compared to placebo, NIs [drugs such as RELENZA and TAMIFLU] have no [significant preventive] effect against influenza-like illness.”
Both RELENZA and TAMIFLU have been associated with severe behavioral abnormalities in children and RELENZA has been associated with breathing difficulties in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease.
Not surprisingly, with high levels of public concern about H1N1, a cottage industry of unscrupulous vendors of unproven products has arisen. As of late October, the FDA had issued warning letters regarding a list of 140 products advertised on the Internet to treat, prevent or diagnose H1N1 in which the products were “unapproved, uncleared or unauthorized” (see the list that accompanies this article). These products run the gamut from “air system products” to shampoos to dietary supplements to hand sanitizers to teas. As the agency says, “Even if a Web site is not included in this list, consumers should exercise caution before purchasing over the Internet any product purporting to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat, or cure the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus.”
According to the FDA Web site, the list is “intended to alert consumers about Web sites that are or were illegally marketing unapproved, uncleared or unauthorized products in relation to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus (sometimes referred to as the “swine flu” virus).”
FDA also notes that “until evidence to the contrary is presented to FDA, the owner of the listed Web site is considered responsible for promoting the unapproved, uncleared or unauthorized products. The uses related to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus are not necessarily being promoted by the manufacturers of the products.”
As a courtesy to Worst Pills, Best Pills News subscribers, we are including the list of FDA-identified Web sites that are currently listed as inappropriately marketing products related to the 2009 H1N1 flu virus.
This list may include products that are approved by the FDA for purposes other than treating H1N1 and are not also approved to treat H1N1.
This list is not exhaustive. The FDA provided only information about Web sites that promote such products “without FDA approval, clearance or authorization — only those Web sites to which FDA has issued a warning letter.”
As such, FDA warns that “even if a Web site is not included in this list, consumers should exercise caution before purchasing over the Internet any product purporting to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus.”
If you or someone you know has purchased a product online that made claims about H1N1, visit the FDA online for most up-to-date information: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/h1n1flu/.
Table. FDA Identified H1N1 Flu Unapproved, Uncleared or Unauthorized Products
* Website still contains H1N1 Unapproved/Uncleared/Unauthorized Product
|
Product Name |
Brand or Manufacturer |
|---|---|
|
9900 |
SpectraShield |
|
“Swine Flu Protection” Synthetic Blue Vinyl Gloves |
Emergency Distaster Systems |
|
(Swine Flu) Anti-Viral Support Tablets |
Simple Clinic* |
|
100 Percent Pure Immunolin |
Extreme Immunity |
|
10-Yr Vitamins (Super NutriVita) |
Super Spectrim* |
|
14/24 Ventilation Purifier |
Eliminator |
|
ACF High Potency |
Buried Treasure |
|
Activator Plus |
Wellness Resources |
|
Active Immune System Protection |
Flucinex* |
|
Air Purifier |
UV Aire |
|
Air Sterilizers |
AirFree |
|
AirMedic+ Exec |
AllerAir |
|
All Stop Healing and Protection Spray |
Q-Based Solutions, Inc. |
|
All Stop Healing Gel |
Q-Based Solutions, Inc. |
|
All Stop Medicated Body Wash and Soaps |
Q-Based Solutions, Inc. |
|
Amazon A-V |
Susan Ambrosino’s Herb Club, Inc. |
|
Antimicrobial Mask (Models T-5000 and T-5000V) |
Triosyn |
|
Anti-Oxidant Super Food Supplement |
Miracle Reds |
|
Anti-Viral/Flu Protocol |
Dr. Coldwell’s |
|
Argentum Elixir MBI |
Mbi Nutraceuticals |
|
Basic Pandemic Swine Flu Kit |
Quake Kare |
|
Capsules |
Royal Camu |
|
CC Series |
American Ultraviolet |
|
Children’s (Swine Flu) Anti-Viral Support Tablets |
Simple Clinic* |
|
CleanWave Wands |
Verilux |
|
CM 15 Series |
American Ultraviolet |
|
Cold Booster Formula |
GlycoMeds* |
|
Cold Booster Plus Formula |
GlycoMeds* |
|
Colloidal Silver |
Wellness Resources |
|
Complete Kit |
FlexAir PAPR |
|
Curing Pills |
Ageless Herbs |
|
Custom Vital Healing Steps Starter Package |
Meridian Lifeforce, Inc |
|
Daily Nutrition Package |
Meridian Lifeforce, Inc |
|
Daily Protector |
Wellness Resources |
|
Defend-Rx |
Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals* |
|
Deluxe Pandemic Emergency Kit for Swine Flu Protection |
Express Medical Supplies |
|
Deluxe Pandemic Swine Flu Kit |
Quake Kare |
|
Dietary Supplement |
Nature’s Health Supply |
|
Dietary Supplement |
Acai Burn |
|
Echinacea Full Spectrum |
Amrita |
|
Eliminator Series |
American Ultraviolet |
|
Eucalyptus oil inhaler |
No Colds, No Flus |
|
Extended Swine Flu Infection Protection Kit (42200) |
Life Secure |
|
Family Swine Flu Infection Protection Kit (42100) |
Life Secure |
|
Flora PM |
Living Streams |
|
Flu Prevention Tea |
TCM Help Me |
|
Folding T-3000 Antimicrobial Mask |
Triosyn |
|
Four Thieves Spray |
Susan Ambrosino’s Herb Club, Inc. |
|
FSBS+ |
Perelandra |
|
Garden of Life RM-10 |
Health Food Emporium* |
|
Garden of Life Rm-10 Ultra |
Health Food Emporium |
|
GI Soother |
Wellness Resources |
|
Golden Shield |
Amrita |
|
Great Protector Formula |
Ageless Herbs |
|
Hand Sanitizers |
Soapopular |
|
Hand Sanitizers |
Viraban* |
|
Hand Sanitizers |
SkinWear* |
|
Healthy Trinity |
Natren |
|
Herbal Tea |
TCM Discovery* |
|
High Efficiency Particulate Filter, Model S-70013-001 |
FlexAir PAPR |
|
Home Pack |
Cleanaer |
|
Hydration powder |
CeraFlu* |
|
Immune Essentials |
Healthy Choice Nutritionals* |
|
Immune Plus |
Wellness Resources |
|
Immune Support Formula |
Dr. Weil |
|
Immune System Supplement |
Defend-Rx |
|
Immunextra |
Allera |
|
Immunity Take Care |
Health Food Emporium |
|
InfA swine H1 (A/H1N1 Mexico) |
LightMix* |
|
Inflenza Drops - MB6 |
Mbi Nutraceuticals |
|
Inhaler containing eucalyptus and tea tree oils |
Flu Away |
|
Ionic Silver |
Universal Health Services* |
|
Lian Hua Qing Wen Capsule |
TCM Help Me |
|
Life Extension Vitamin D3 |
Health Food Emporium |
|
Liquid Probiotic |
Living Streams |
|
Lymph Complex MBI |
Lymph Complex MBI |
|
Lymph Immune |
BioSET |
|
Lysinol MBI |
Mbi Nutraceuticals |
|
Minerals |
Back to Health |
|
Monitoring |
Swine Flu |
|
Monolaurin |
Wellness Resources |
|
Nano-particulate Solution |
The New Silver Solution |
|
Nasal Sanitizer |
Nasal Sanitizer |
|
Natural Immunization |
Swine Flu |
|
No-Cold |
Meridian Lifeforce, Inc |
|
Nose and Throat |
BioSET |
|
Nutrients Rich Super Food Supplement |
Macro Greens |
|
Olive Leaf Mushroom Capsules – MBI |
Mbi Nutraceuticals |
|
On-The-Go Swine Flu Personal Infection Protection Kit (42000) |
Life Secure |
|
Ox-E Drops |
NZYMES |
|
Pandemic Swine Flu Kit for Child or Small Adult |
911 Water |
|
Photon Genie |
Swine Flu Advisor |
|
Plus FFP3 Antimicrobial Respirator Masks (Adult and Child sizes) |
SpectraShield |
|
Powder |
Royal Camu |
|
Power immune |
Fitura |
|
Premium Pandemic Emergency Kit for Swine Flu Protection |
Express Medical Supplies |
|
Probiotic |
BioSET |
|
ProFlu+ Assay |
Prodesse |
|
Protease Plus |
BioSET |
|
Rapid Influenza Antigen Test (Swine Flu) |
BD |
|
Respiratory Health |
Amrita |
|
Room Pack |
Cleanaer |
|
RPT Air Purification System |
AUV Eliminator |
|
Sambucus Immune System Formula |
Herbal Remedies |
|
Second Wind Model 2000 Air Purifier |
Breathe More Easy |
|
Second Wind Model 2018 Air Purifier |
Breathe More Easy |
|
Silver Shampoo |
SilverCure |
|
Silver Shield |
Nature’s Sunshine |
|
Silver Sol Supplement |
Guardian |
|
Standard Pandemic Emergency Kit for Swine Flu Protection |
Express Medical Supplies |
|
Standard Pandemic Swine Flu Kit |
Quake Kare |
|
Super Immune Booster |
Wellness Resources |
|
Surgical Mask |
Triosyn |
|
Surgical Mask/Respirator |
Noveko |
|
Swine Flu Enviro Pack |
Q-Based Solutions, Inc. |
|
Swine Flu Family Super Pack |
Q-Based Solutions, Inc. |
|
Swine Flu Formula |
Susan Ambrosino’s Herb Club, Inc. |
|
Swine Flu H1N1 Nutritional Support Kit (adults) |
Vitacroft |
|
Swine Flu H1N1 Nutritional Support Kit, age 2 to 5 |
Vitacroft |
|
Swine Flu H1N1 Nutritional Support Kit, infant to age 2 |
Vitacroft |
|
Swine Flu Kit |
Duram |
|
Swine Flu Prevention Kit |
Q-Based Solutions, Inc. |
|
Swine Flu Protection Kit |
Emergency Distaster Systems |
|
“Swine Flu Protection Kit” |
SilverCure |
|
Swine Flu Protection Nitrile Exam Gloves |
Emergency Distaster Systems |
|
Swine Flu…Gone |
Secrets of Eden |
|
Swine-Flu Preparedness Kit |
Boss Safety |
|
Symphony of Excellence Deluxe Immune System Booster & Support Package |
Meridian Lifeforce, Inc |
|
T-3000 Mask |
Triosyn |
|
T-3000 P95 Particulate Respirator |
Triosyn |
|
T-5000 Anti-Microbial Respirator Face Mask |
Triosyn |
|
T-5000 Disposable Respirator |
Safe Life |
|
T-5000 P95 Particulate Respirator |
Triosyn |
|
T-5000V Disposable Respirator |
Safe Life |
|
TB Series |
American Ultraviolet |
|
Theralac |
Master Supplements, Inc. |
|
Thymus Complex MBI |
Mbi Nutraceuticals |
|
UV Air Sterilization Systems |
Sanuvox |
|
Ventilation Germicidal System |
Eliminator |
|
xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel |
Luminex |
