Fake H1N1 Products Harm More Than Help

It's understandable that parents are concerned about the H1N1 flu virus, but it is not safe to purchase products offered for sale over the internet (or in stores) that claim to diagnose, prevent, or otherwise act against this virus. These products (shampoo that protects against the virus, dietary supplement to protect infants and young children from contracting the virus, a "new" supplement that cures the infection within 4-8 hours, a spray for the hands that claims to leave a layer of ionic silver that kills the virus, diagnostic tests, and an electronic instrument that uses "photobiotic energy" and "life-force energy waves" to strengthen the immune system) have not been approved by the Food and Drug Association (FDA), so they have not been tested for safety and effectiveness. Furthermore, they will not prevent the spread of the virus or offer any remedies against infection. They might also give parents a false sense of protection, causing them to neglect the most basic ways to prevent getting the infection (vaccination, handwashing, sneezing/coughing hygiene, and staying home when sick). Do not buy Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) or Relenza (zanamivir), FDA-approved, prescription-only products from unlawful websites. There are specific guidelines issued by the CDC and FDA for emergency use of these two medicines. Buying unapproved medicines and medicines from unlawful sites or other countries increases the risk of harm to your family, especially when there are unknown ingredients found in the drugs. Don't buy non Fda-approved products. More importantly, keep washing those hands frequently with soap and water instead.

Happy National Pharmacy Week!

How did I get interested in pharmacy? I didn't know I was going to be a pharmacist until I attended a college fair in Chinatown and went to the first booth listed alphabetically. There, a tall, friendly Dean and an Asian upperclassman (who actually finished pharmacy school and went to medical school) told me fascinating things about the profession of pharmacy. I applied to Albany College of Pharmacy right away and got accepted within weeks during rolling admissions. Yes, I applied to 5 other colleges, too, including Buffalo for the pharmacy program. Before I heard from them, I decided 3 hours from home was far enough and I accepted. Senior year flew by and then I was off to college, excited to learn more science and math. Seventeen years later, I am still glad fate took me down that route. Here is a description of a pediatric pharmacist.

Oftentimes I get asked, why pediatric pharmacy, it's so sad? Kids have always been naturally drawn to me. I have been called the "baby whisperer." I wanted to use this "ability" to help sick kids feel better. The most memorable question I got asked, though, popped up during a residency interview, "Did you ever watch a child die?" I was stunned and speechless for a few long seconds, and I answered, "No." Thankfully, to this day, I still haven't. I have helped take care of two sets of Siamese twins, watched an autopsy on an adult who had widespread aspergillosis, taught multiple families about asthma, excited many students and residents about pediatric pharmacy, advocated for many parents, shared experiences with my colleagues, and now I have my own kids to keep healthy and safe from medication errors.

It's the tail end of National Pharmacy Week 2009. Normally, I would rally up the students and set up a table in the lobby of the hospital to talk about the services pharmacists can offer. Brown bag sessions at the senior centers and pediatric asthma clinics were also on the schedule. Although I'm taking a hiatus from the daily grind of a pediatric pharmacist in a health-system, I am remaining active in the profession through blogging, tweeting, and contributing to the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, my beloved association. With a daughter in preschool, you can bet that I'll be giving some talks in the near future.

"Does she have allergies?"

It is inevitable. Every time I put my daughter into a new aquarium of preschoolers (camp, play group, school), she gets a cold. I know better than to send her to school, or swim lessons in the summer, if she has had a fever overnight, or is lethargic and just not herself. This time, she just woke up over the weekend congested and she sneezed out a lot of clear "gook," but nothing else was different. Her activity level and appetite remained the same. So, on Monday, I sent her to preschool equipped with tissues and a small bottle of hand sanitizer. I even reviewed proper respiratory etiquette with her. I went home and waited by the phone in case the teachers wanted to send her back to me. Her preschool is only 2 hours in duration, but it could feel like a long time to a sick kid. No phone call on the first day, or any day thereafter for the next 2 weeks. She continued with swim, gymnastics/dance, and soccer without a problem. Just on day 13 of her cold, a politely phrased question was posed to me by two of her teachers when I dropped her off, "Does she have allergies, maybe? It's been 2 weeks already with this sneezing." I replied confidently, "No, I don't think so. I have allergies, but she doesn't. It's really just a cold. She's much better now, really." Granted I've noticed that her mucus changed from clear to yellow to green, but, again, she never had a fever and no other symptoms. Remember that the color of one's mucus is not a tell-tale sign that antibiotics are needed. Colored "gook" could mean that the viral infection is actually getting better. I just persisted about getting her to blow her nose so that it didn't become a sinus infection (easier said than done) and to drink a lot of fluids. More importantly, I did not cave and bring her to the pediatrician. Gradually, her sneezing only occurred in the morning upon awakening. Then the noisy breathing and "gook" production stopped altogether. After three weeks with the common cold, she's been happy as a clam, and without allergies. It also turns out my daughter wasn't the only kid with a cold in her class.

Colds do take a while to cure, but medicine will not speed up the process. It just takes a "tincture of time," lots of rest and fluids, and good drainage of the nose. We didn't use the saline drops and bulb syringe that I bought, but these can help with clearing the nasal passages. Finally, to prevent your child from spreading or catching a cold, teach him/her good respiratory etiquette and proper handwashing techniques. Know the signs and symptoms of the common cold, and be prepared to give a lot of hugs and kisses.