Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


3

Fake Swine Flu Cures Flourish Online

Share

(Newser) – Purported swine flu cures are cropping up online, including a nostril sanitizer, air purifier, and a shampoo that makers say will wash that virus right out of your hair, the Kansas City Star reports. The FDA has mailed out more than 50 warnings to online sellers not to make such claims. But it's Internet whack-a-mole for regulators. The Internet "changes minute to minute, second to second,” said FDA coordinator Gary Coody.

The products range mostly from $40 to $200—one electronic device sold for $2,995—but buyers lose more than money, Coody said. Users of fake products may also ignore legitimate drugs. People may be turning to sham cures because the government offers little advice for battling swine flu, said one analyst: “People aren’t satisfied with washing their hands with soap and water. If they’re anxious, doing nothing is not gratifying.”

Ilana Jackson, left, and Jeremy Fierstien wear surgical masks during their wedding in Highland Park, Ill. The couple wore masks after finding out 48 hours before the wedding that they had swine flu.
Ilana Jackson, left, and Jeremy Fierstien wear surgical masks during their wedding in Highland Park, Ill. The couple wore masks after finding out 48 hours before the wedding that they had swine flu.   (AP Photo/Duron Studio Photography, Sukit Subanersanti)
Researchers work with a sample of H1N1 flu virus at a lab in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, Wednesday, June 17, 2009.
Researchers work with a sample of H1N1 flu virus at a lab in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, Wednesday, June 17, 2009.   (AP Photo)
A woman, wearing a mask as protection against the transmission of swine flu, waits outside a hospital in Guatemala City.
A woman, wearing a mask as protection against the transmission of swine flu, waits outside a hospital in Guatemala City.   (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Because the swine flu virus is airborne, it may settle on your hair, and then if you touch your hair and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you can contract the illness. - "Silver Shampoo" website

The virus is out there. They read about it and all I’m being told is to cover my coughs. - Lee Norman, chief medical officer of the University of Kansas Hospital

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
3 comments
VIEWING:
 
riffran
Jun 21, 09 11:50 PM CDT
*singing*..."I'm gonna wash that flu right outta my hair".... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
JonmarkP
Jun 22, 09 2:35 AM CDT
What is "fake swine flu," and why would I need to cure it? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
Reader64481089
Jun 22, 09 10:37 AM CDT
I put up a web site selling my dirty socks as a preventative, tie a pair around your neck and no germ will come near....the disclaimer is rather long but lawyers say I must post it. "Any party engaging in the suggested product (unless able to demonstrate at the date so engaging that The Company was aware of evidence of significant health risks or long-term disability or defects which the suggested product will cause or lead to) does so on the express basis that he or he/she expressly releases The Company from any claim, demand, judgement, verdict, expense, or cost incurred or suffered or which may be alleged to have been incurred or suffered by engaging in the suggested product engaged in ameliorating, preventing or retarding any complaint and it is agreed that every person engaging in such product does so on the basis that the provisions of Clause I to III are a condition precedent to The Company advising in relation to the suggested product and a condition precedent to the person in such suggested product." Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

15 Stories

 Swine Flu-Wary 
 Telecommuters 
 Could Floor Internet 

Report finds surge in demand might make telecommuting unfeasible

Oct 28, 09 6:06 AM CDT
(Newser) - Telecommuters hunkering down at home because of swine flu could overwhelm Internet networks in the coming weeks, a federal watchdog reports. The report earlier this week found that no guidelines are in place to deal with any surge in demand caused by a spike in workers telecommuting and students going... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Internet • Department of Homeland Security • Government Accountability Office • telecommunications • Internet service providers • pandemic • telecommuting • swine flu • H1N1 virus

(Newser) - The hysteria over the swine flu pandemic has spawned its share of magic cures, and health authorities are busy combating the snake oil salesmen, the Financial Times reports. Nearly half of the warning letters sent by the FDA to manufacturers and retailers since May have been issued to those... More »

MORE ABOUT:
FDA • United States • false advertising • Food and Drug Administration • pandemic • swine flu • H1N1 virus • snake oil

(Newser) - The FTC has taken the rare step of shutting down an Internet Service Provider that it says was a haven for child pornography and malware run by Eastern European criminals, MSNBC reports. The case gives "a rare glimpse into the seediest parts of the web," writes Bob Sullivan.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Internet • fraud • Eastern Europe • Estonia • Ukraine • child pornography • Internet service providers • Federal Trade Commission

15 Stories


Who will get vaccinated?
Reuters


Science & Health  •  Business  •  Technology 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
Internet • fraud • treatment • false advertising • swine flu

from our news partners