The Flu Season

Adults 50 and older who are hospitalized with the swine flu are more likely to die, an analysis of California flu victims reveals. Older adults are also at increased risk if they are obese or have other health problems. See "Older and Obese Patients Most Likely to Die from H1N1." Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

New Drug for H1N1 Flu Offers Hope
On Oct. 23, the F.D.A. granted authority for the drug to be used in emergencies for patients hospitalized with H1N1 flu who cannot take or do not benefit from Tamiflu or Relenza.

Nation Is Facing Vaccine Shortage for Seasonal Flu
Even though the regular flu season has yet to start, the nation is facing a severe shortage of seasonal flu vaccine as well as swine flu vaccine.

Doctors’ Offices Caught Between the Ill and the Ill-Tempered
Satisfactory answers are in as short supply as the flu vaccine itself, workers find.




How can I avoid getting the flu, especially if I haven’t been vaccinated?

The experts agree: Washing your hands well and often is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself against flu viruses and any number of other bugs. And yes, a soap-and-water scrub is the best option because it actually washes the organisms down the drain. If soap and water are not available and your hands aren’t visibly dirty, the second-best choice is an alcohol-based hand rub like Purell, which kills the virus. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology recommends a product of at least 60 percent alcohol.

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