Airborne- Does it really keep you healthy?

Airborne is a type of dietary supplement (vitamins, antioxidants, ect.) in a formulation that is designed to prevent the cold and flu by boosting an individuals immune system.  It is available over the counter (meaning you can buy it without a prescription from the doctor) and is available in 3 different formulations: a tablet which can be taken orally or dissolved in water, a chewable gummi-type lozenge, or a  powder form. I used to be an avid believer in this product (many people are/were which is mostly mental or due to the products claims. Despite the popularity of this product, it has been proven to have many false claims in prevention of illness. In 2008, a class action-lawsuit resulted in a 23 million dollar payment from the company that produced airborne, due to the fact that the claim of cold prevention was inaccurate.  Vitamin C is also a vitamin that plays a huge role in ones immune system. Despite its potential, it is debatable that even vitamin C itself will prevent illness.  I would recommend a daily vitamin for overall health as well as the flu vaccine (if you are able to receive one), but HANDWASHING believe is or not, is the NUMBER 1 way to prevent colds and the flu as well as other illnesses.  Stay healthy!!!

Some Medication Review Links

I will be adding to this list consisantely!!

Adderall XR
http://www.reviewstream.com/writereview.php/?inv=zBt3DGL4ZpB0

The Flu Vaccine- is it for you?

Influenza, aka “the flu,” is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract.  It differs from a cold in that it can be more severe and even fatal to those who are at an increased risk of complications.  Each year, the influenza virus changes slightly, which is why a flu shot is needed every single year, as the component of the shot itself must be altered as well.

There are 2 types of vaccines available.

• The “flu shot”— it is an inactivated virus that is given by a needle usually in the arm.  This shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, and both  healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.

• The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live but weakened flu virus, but it can not give you the flu.  It is called LAIV (FluMist®)and it is approved for use in healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

People that may be at higher risk and are strongly encoraged to get this vaccine are:

1. Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
2. Pregnant women
3. People 50 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
   a.   Health care workers
   b.   Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
   c.   Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

*CDC.GOV recommendations

Individuals that should not be vaccinated-

There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These include

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group), and
• People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)

*CDC.GOV recommendation

The myth that you can get the flu just by getting the shot is just that- a  myth.  The only adverse reactions are pain at the injection site and slight possible mild symptoms of a cold.

September is the beginning of vaccination season and months thereafter.  Here are some sites that can provide additional information included sites that offer flu shots.

http://www.flucliniclocator.org/

http://www.flusource.com/index.jsp

Stay healthy this winter and get your vaccine!!

My Goal for this site

I am almost finished pharmacy school and will have a doctorate when I complete all my requirements.  I really like to help people, and I know that things dealing with health and medication can be confusing.  I am really interested in answering questions and explaining anything I can- I am good at explaining somewhat complicated things because I have had to work to get to where I am… I’m not one of those natural science whiz students (I kind of wish I was).  But since things don’t just come to me, I am very good at explaining things at a level that is understandable.  I am going to try and post as many articles as possible when I find interesting ones, but what I would really like is to get questions.  If you have any questions about medications or health, I would love to help answer them for you.  I am just starting this, so I guess we will see how it works out, but I’d love to help you if you have anything you want explained!!