Federal Trade Commission
Protecting America's Consumers
Rx for Products that Claim to Prevent H1N1?
A Healthy Dose of Skepticism
The daily news coverage about the spread of the H1N1 virus and the limited availability of the vaccine has raised public anxiety, and spawned many website and email promotions for products that claim to prevent, treat or cure the virus. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, cautions consumers to be wary of all promotions related to H1N1 — also known as swine flu.
The FTC says consumers should be skeptical of claims that products like pills, powders, tinctures, air filtration devices and cleaning agents can prevent, cure or kill the virus. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Interagency Public Affairs Group on Influenza Preparedness and Response, a coalition of major consumer health agencies, manages the flu.gov website, which has comprehensive information about H1N1, including the availability of the H1N1 flu vaccine and tips for practicing good personal hygiene.
The FTC also suggests that if and when consumers see advertisements touting prevention, treatment or cure claims for H1N1, they should ask themselves one key question: if a medical breakthrough involving the virus has occurred, would they be hearing about it for the first time through an advertisement or sales pitch?
Know The Facts
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that swine flu is contagious, and is thought to spread from person to person the same way that seasonal flu spreads — mainly by coughs or sneezes from people with the flu. Sometimes, people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with the H1N1 flu also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
According to the CDC, vaccination is the best protection against getting the flu. Because the H1N1 vaccine is currently available in limited quantities, the CDC recommends that certain priority groups — including pregnant women, people with health conditions, caregivers for babies under 6 months of age, and health care and emergency workers — get the vaccine first. In addition, the CDC recommends the use of the antiviral drugs oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with the H1N1 virus. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, these drugs can make your illness milder, make you feel better faster and may prevent serious complications.
Keep Your Hands Clean
Public health authorities advise that basic personal hygiene is an important part of protection against infection. They add that, in addition to getting vaccinated, the best way to protect against getting both swine flu and seasonal flu is to wash your hands, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. They also say that people should try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus, and avoid contact with others who are sick. Health authorities also suggest using alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers, which are available in most supermarkets and drugstores.
Taking Care of Yourself If You Are Sick
If you have been diagnosed with H1N1 flu, stay home, follow your doctor’s orders, pay attention to signs that might indicate you need immediate medical attention and don’t be shy about seeking it.
Stay Informed
For more information from the federal government about the H1N1 flu or the seasonal flu, visit www.flu.gov.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.