Many seem to be ready to toss aside swine flu as something to worry about. Many seem ready to skip the swine flu shot. At the same time, many are ready to fall for Internet H1N1 scams, as the Food and Drug Administration warned today.
As swine flu supplies start to enter sections of the country, near panic sets in, despite what people say about skipping the vaccine. For example, in the SF Bay Area, Kaiser just received their supplies today. Crowds and mobs flooded vaccination centers in an attempt to get the shot, and many were rude and rough with others.
Those who are concerned, and think they will not have an opportunity to get a shot, are turning to the old friend, the Internet. The FDA warns of scams appearing in full force.
The FDA has even created a fraudulent H1N1 or Swine Flu widget that site owners can easily embed in their sites. When added to a website, it can help consumers become more knowledgeable about fake swine flu products.
Like snake oil in the days of the old west, the products seem like a scam just by hearing about them. The FDA lists items such as air "sterilizers," a photon machine, supplement pills to boost the immune system, protective shampoos and fake Tamiflu.
As such, federal officials have sent warning letters to promoters of more than 140 swine flu-related products. These "promoters" even include well-known alternative medicine advocate Dr. Andrew Weil for his "Immune Support Formula."
The key is common sense, and knowledge. You can't reliably buy Tamiflu online. You can't get swine flu vaccine online. None of these strangely name and alternative remedies will work.
In terms of the "reliably buy Tamiflu" statement, what is meant there is that the FDA bought and tested five such products. One contained powdered talc and generic Tylenol . Several others contained some Tamiflu but were not approved for sale in the U.S. Tamiflu and Relenza are the only drugs recommended for treating swine flu.
In an attempt to save themselves from the swine flu, consumers, in a panic, may actually hurt themselves, or at least empty their pocketbooks and wallets. Use caution, and common sense.
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