The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory on October 15th warning consumers to use caution when ordering anything from the internet that claims to "diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus", as many of these claims are questionable at best, even up to being outright lies. In addition, over 80 internet sellers of various products, largely dietary supplements, were warned on the 18th to remove claims that their products prevented or treated the H1N1 swine flu virus.
What Kind of Products for Swine Flu Were Being Offered?
Perhaps the most dangerous are false claims of supposed anti-viral drugs. One such product ordered by the FDA researchers, received in an unmarked envelope from India, contained no anti-viral drug at all, only talcum powder and acetaminophen.
Other products, the subject of the warning letters from the FDA, include ultraviolet lights which claim to kill the H1N1 swine flu virus, hand sanitizers, air filters, inhalers, and of course dietary supplements — one of which even claimed to be "more effective that the swine flu shot."
Does This Mean These Products are Completely Ineffective?
Not necessarily. What it means, is that none of these products have been scientifically tested for effectiveness against the H1N1 swine flu virus, and so under federal regulations they are not allowed to claim that they are. Many of them do help to combat viruses or help build the immune system to allow the body to fight off infection and symptoms. But the only products scientifically proven to be effective against the H1N1 swine flu virus, the FDA insists, are the swine flu vaccines, and the two anti-virals drugs approved for use with swine flu symptoms, Tamiflu and Relenza, and urges caution when considering anything else that claims to prevent or treat the H1N1 virus or swine flu symptoms.
P.S. boost your immune system by taking Vitamin C or Vitamin D rich Foods and Fruits.
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