With the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 virus and the presence of annual seasonal flu, health experts are concerned that this flu season could be more confusing than ever for families. Recent studies point to misunderstandings about what families should do to help prevent the spread of these viruses.

While the 2009 H1N1 virus continues to dominate headlines, many U.S. adults still have questions about seasonal flu, including prevention steps and the effectiveness of the vaccine, according to a recent survey from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). Additionally, a separate survey from The Clorox Company found that nearly half of adults believe that the 2009 H1N1 virus is the same as seasonal flu.

“It’s no secret that this year’s flu season is complicated. With multiple vaccines, we want to help families easily understand the right steps to help prevent the spread of the flu,” said Heather McKenzie, RN, Visiting Nurse Associations of America’s Senior Director of Clinical Education and Quality Initiatives.

Seasonal flu is a serious infection – it is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths for children, killing on average 100 American children less than five years old every year and hospitalizing over 20,000. Vaccination is the first step in flu prevention. In fact, last year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded their flu vaccination recommendations to include all children from 6 months through 18 years old.

Take Prevention Steps at Home
Some flu vaccine manufacturers are reporting a delay in their shipments of seasonal flu vaccine, meaning it might take a little longer than usual for the vaccination to be available in some areas. This makes it even more important to practice these other simple steps to help prevent the spread of the seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses in the home:

* Wash Hands Frequently: Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).

* Disinfect Germ Hot Spots: Disinfect the surfaces kids touch most frequently – like doorknobs, faucets or plastic toys.

* Do the Elbow Cough: Cough and sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands to help prevent the spread of germs from touch.

* Follow Good Health Guidelines: Eat right, exercise and get plenty of sleep to help boost your body’s ability to fight the effects of colds and the flu.

Help Your Family Say “Boo!” to the Flu
To increase the number of families vaccinated against seasonal flu and educate parents on other flu prevention steps, the Visiting Nurse Associations of America, Families Fighting Flu and The Clorox Company teamed up again for Say “Boo!” to the Flu. The family-friendly program is larger than ever this year and even offers an updated, comprehensive online flu resource.

Online at www.SayBooToTheFlu.com, parents can take a pledge to vaccinate their families and help spread prevention in their communities. They can also find out where they can get vaccinated in their areas and get up-to-the minute information to help navigate this flu season, including news updates from the CDC.

“My wife and I didn’t realize how important one flu vaccination could be until we lost our daughter, Amanda, to the seasonal flu,” said Richard Kanowitz, President of Families Fighting Flu. “We are committed to educating parents about the importance of getting their families vaccinated against both the seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 virus. I urge all parents to visit www.SayBooToTheFlu.com, pledge to help their families stay healthier this flu season and find out if there is a flu vaccination event in their area.”

It’s not unusual to see viruses make headlines, but the recent threat of H1N1 swine flu has captured everyone’s attention. On June 11, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised the H1N1 pandemic status to level six, indicating an international pandemic. This change has left many people wondering what they can do to keep themselves and their families healthy.

Why is H1N1 different than other viruses? Recently, scientists discovered that the 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus is more like the H5N1 avian flu than the historic 1918 pandemic H1N1 Spanish flu strain. That means previous flu vaccines are less effective and extra precautions at home should take place.

In a teleconference with colleagues, Dr. Roger Mazlen, an internist in Rosyln Heights, N.Y., with more than 30 years of experience practicing internal medicine and nutrition, discussed the current swine flu outbreaks.

Swine flu, or H1N1, was first isolated in a pig in 1930, according to the CDC. The virus has demonstrated an ability to migrate from domestic pigs to humans. Mazlen says there are several factors contributing to the current swine flu outbreak, including environmental, cultural and economic issues.

“The current recession, loss of retirement funds, compromised nutrition, reduced exercise, obesity and other factors produce immune depression. A depressed immune system cannot fight off the invasion of viral and other pathogens that attempt to find a home to set up infections in our bodies,” he says.

In order to help you and your family during the 2009/10 flu season, Mazlen offers these protection strategies:

1. Wash your hands frequently and stay hydrated
“Frequent hand washing is a start. Also, lots of daily water helps to hydrate the body and assist the immune system,” he says.

2. Fish oil helps supports the immune system.
Vitamin and mineral supplements add fortification, but Mazlen suggests adding fish oil because of its clinically-proven immune function support. Fish oil blends are available as gel capsules or in liquid form at health-food stores and several different brands are also available at www.puritan.com.

3. Use a prescription right away.
Mazlen says that Tamiflu, the currently recommended prescription medication used in flu and swine flu, is most effective when used within a few hours of the first viral symptoms. But swine flu, as reported by the CDC, has an ability to mutate within hours. Tamiflu may be effective for swine flu in the morning, and may be ineffective by the end of the day because of viral mutation.

4. Skip the Echinacea
When asked if the popular herbal remedy Echinacea could be effective, Mazlen explains that studies have proved the product has minimal effectiveness. He says he prefers a natural immune-stimulating product, which he has used with over 500 patients, including his family members. The product was originally developed in Russia, but is now made in the United States. Mazlen says he has had good results during the past years with patients fighting flu and other infections. The product, Del-Immune V, is available at www.delimmune.com.

Early measures to protect health might be the key to minimizing potentially serious infections. “It is important to have an immune defense strategy this year — the earlier the better,” Mazlen concludes.