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An Update on H1N1 Influenza

Worst Pills, Best Pills Newsletter article December, 2009

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