With swine flu here, some manufacturers look to cash in on H1N1 concerns
December 2, 2009 3:18 PM
As of the end of November, 32 states were reporting widespread influenza activity at this time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and nearly all of the influenza viruses identified so far this flu season are the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.
Manufacturers looking to capitalize on H1N1-induced maladies and concerns have introduced home products that they claim will keep you from getting sick or at eliminate the virus in your home. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products List details Web sites marketing "unapproved, uncleared, or unauthorized products in relation to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus." The products fall into a range of categories such as air system, antiseptic, gloves, hand sanitizer, inhaler, mask, and spray.
A couple of items not on the FDA list caught our eye. Raycop is marketing the SMART vacuum, which it boasts "eliminates 99.9% of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) virus." And then there's the Air Scrubber, which is promoted on the Indoor Healthy Air site with this tantalizing question: "If you could possibly kill Swine Flu germs before they could infect you or your family, would you want to know how?"
We haven't tested these products, but the experts at ConsumerReportsHealth.org maintain that the only FDA-approved treatments for H1N1 are the prescription antiviral drugs Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir).
One way to try to prevent the spread of H1N1 is to wash your hands often and thoroughly (as shown in the video above).—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential information: It's not just with swine flu that some companies have marketed products they claim can fight germs. Read this past post about the Oreck Halo vacuum.
Manufacturers looking to capitalize on H1N1-induced maladies and concerns have introduced home products that they claim will keep you from getting sick or at eliminate the virus in your home. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products List details Web sites marketing "unapproved, uncleared, or unauthorized products in relation to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus." The products fall into a range of categories such as air system, antiseptic, gloves, hand sanitizer, inhaler, mask, and spray.
A couple of items not on the FDA list caught our eye. Raycop is marketing the SMART vacuum, which it boasts "eliminates 99.9% of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) virus." And then there's the Air Scrubber, which is promoted on the Indoor Healthy Air site with this tantalizing question: "If you could possibly kill Swine Flu germs before they could infect you or your family, would you want to know how?"
We haven't tested these products, but the experts at ConsumerReportsHealth.org maintain that the only FDA-approved treatments for H1N1 are the prescription antiviral drugs Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir).
One way to try to prevent the spread of H1N1 is to wash your hands often and thoroughly (as shown in the video above).—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential information: It's not just with swine flu that some companies have marketed products they claim can fight germs. Read this past post about the Oreck Halo vacuum.
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Comments:
1
Chrissy
April 21, 2010 8:59 PM
I think this was very helpful... just one thing: while scrubbing your hands you can TURN OFF the running water instead of leave it on.
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