October 19, 2007 - Getting ready for cold and flu season
Today's meeting of the Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee and their recommendation that cough medicine containing decongestants, expectorants, antihistamines or antitussives not be given to children under the age of six brings to mind the upcoming winter season and the infections normally associated with it: colds and flus.
Several governmental agencies provide information about treating and preventing these common cold weather maladies.
Federal Drug Adminitration - What to do for Colds and Flus
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/lowlit/clds&flu.html
Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Human Parainfluenza Viruses (Common cold and croup)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/hpivfeat.htm
FDA - Flu Information
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/flu.html
Health and Human Services - Seasonal Flu Page
http://www.hhs.gov/flu/
CDC - Flu Activity and Surveillance
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm
2007-08 Influenza Prevention & Control Recommendations
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/index.htm
Additional resources:
The Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee meeting's briefing information is available here.