‘Back to School’ Prompts Increased Viral Spread Prior to Flu Season
The back to school season not only marks the return of books, pencils and crayons, but also marks the return of sneezing, coughing and germs. Statistics show the onset of the August and September months typically bringing the first wave of infectious spread (likely due to the common cold), with a second, more prominent surge beginning in October and November at the height of flu season. Because children are highly prone to contracting illnesses, controlling symptoms and ensuring that children take their medications properly will help control the spread of infection.
Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) September 6, 2006 -- It is estimated that roughly 1/5 of the US population attends or works in schools. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 22 million school days are lost annually in the US just due to the common cold alone. Because children are usually considered high-risk groups for cold and flu, this makes school environments the perfect place for the spread of infection. As a result, the rate of colds begins to increase in late August and early September. Thereafter, the rate slows until mid-October/November when it ramps up dramatically to coincide with the beginning of flu season. This almost exactly mimics FLAVORx reports that show a boost in flavoring prescriptions in early September, and a second, much higher wave of flavorings typically beginning around November.
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the seasonal variation of colds may be related to the opening of schools and cold weather, which prompts people to stay indoors, resulting in increased opportunities for viruses to spread. Some viruses, for both cold and flu, can survive up to 3 hours on the skin and also on objects such as telephones, stair railings, doorknobs and desks. Schools and childcare providers can help inhibit the spread of infection by encouraging children to cover their noses and mouths when they cough or sneeze, wash their hands frequently with soap and water and remind them not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth, areas that house sensitive mucous membranes that enable the virus to enter the body.
FLAVORx is a pharmaceutical flavoring company that strongly advocates the message of medicinal compliance. To eliminate persistent symptoms as well as curb the spread of infection to others, it is imperative that children take medications properly as prescribed. Unfortunately, for most children, taking medications that are bitter or foul-smelling can be enough to add extreme difficulty or completely inhibit a proper medication regimen. It is estimated that over half of children are not compliant when it comes to taking medications. FLAVORx safely and effectively masks the existing taste of a medicine with proprietary agents such as the FLAVORx Sweetening Enhancer, FLAVORx Bitterness Suppressor, and FLAVORx Vitamin-Masking agent, combined with dye-free, sugar-free, alcohol-free, sodium-free, phosphate-free and non-allergenic flavors developed specifically for medicine.
FLAVORx reports findings that over the last 3 years, on average flavoring jumps nearly 20% from August to September, increases an additional 8% in October, and grows approximately 18% in November. Not surprisingly, these numbers and cyclical pattern coincide with infection rates and the back to school season. Children are 2-3 times more likely to than adults to contract the flu, and in addition have about 6-10 colds per year. As reported by NIAID, children frequently spread viruses to others because they are often in close contact with each other in daycare centers and schools. Among its nearly 35,000 chain and independent pharmacies nationwide, results show flavoring seems to be particularly popular at the height of cold and flu season, which is to be expected for a company specializing in flavoring both over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Though there is no cure for the common cold or flu virus, symptoms can be reduced with certain medications. Fever reducers, like acetaminophen, decongestants, antihistamines and cough suppressants that relieve symptoms can be easily flavored with FLAVORx in flavors like Bubblegum, Grape, Watermelon, and Peaches & Cream. Though flavoring may seem to be just a novelty to some, in this case, improving the flavor and enabling a child to swallow a medication can, in fact, suppress germ spread. Because the cold and flu are spread through “droplet transmission,” being able to control coughing and sneezing controls mucous that is expelled into the air or onto objects, thus curbing the spread of infection.
For more information, please visit www.flavorx.com or contact Teresa Chen at 800.884.5771 extension 234.
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