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Officials: Beware Products Claiming H1N1 Cures

State Epidemiologist Says Hand Washing With Soap Is Best

POSTED: 5:10 pm HST November 10, 2009

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Federal and state officials are warning the public against products advertised on the Internet that fraudulently claim they can prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 virus.

So far, health officials said only the swine flu vaccine administered either by shot or nose mist will prevent the disease.

Companies are falsely claiming certain body wash, gels, even shampoo and herbal extract products will combat swine flu, the Food and Drug Administration said.

Hawaii's state epidemiologist said old-fashioned hand washing with regular old soap is the best way to avoid getting the disease, along with sanitizers.

"There's nothing special about any new and improved brands. It's all about just making sure there's an alcohol content at least 60 percent to 70 percent of the hand-sanitizing gel should be alcohol and that's effective enough. There doesn't need to be any special ingredients," Hawaii epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said.

Check out the FDA's fraudulent product list.

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