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National Women's Health Resource Center Warns Women of the Top Ten Flu Myths

Posted on: Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 18:00 CDT

WASHINGTON and RED BANK, N.J., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- In the new online tool kit, "Your 2005 - 2006 Flu Prevention Guide," the not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) debunks the top ten most common influenza myths in hopes of urging women to take more precaution in protecting themselves and their families from this year's flu virus.

"Since women are the Health CEO's of their household, we have to discredit these myths and encourage better understanding of the basics of the flu," stated Amy Niles, president and CEO of NWHRC. "These old wives' tales can be dangerous and may deter women from safeguarding themselves and their loved ones against the flu."

The myths include: Myth #1: What's the big deal? The flu is just a bad cold. Myth #2: You can avoid the flu by staying away from sick people. Myth #3: If you make it past the winter holidays without getting the flu, you probably won't get the flu. Myth #4: Receiving the flu vaccine gives you the flu. Myth #5: Only high-risk people need to get vaccinated. Myth #6: Vaccination against the flu is dangerous for women who are pregnant or nursing. Myth #7: If you were vaccinated last year, you're protected for this year. Myth #8: You can take an antiviral drug to prevent flu instead of being vaccinated. Myth #9: If you get the flu vaccine, you can't get the flu this year. Myth #10: Stomach flu is a certain type of flu.

NWHRC recognizes that some women may not be able to get a flu vaccination. For these women, the Prevention Guide includes tips that may help protect against the flu. The guide also includes flu basics, such as signs and symptoms and who is most at risk, a quiz to see how much you know about the flu and how to locate the nearest flu vaccination location.

To complement the online guide, NWHRC has also created a free publication to help women of any age understand the facts about the flu, its causes, potential outcomes and recommended management strategies. This new Women's Health Update will give readers information they need to further discuss flu and the flu vaccine with their health care professionals.

This campaign and materials were made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from the Chiron Corporation.

To access the Prevention Guide or to order the Women's Health Update on the flu, visit the NWHRC website at http://www.healthywomen.org/.

The National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) is the leading independent health information source for women. The non-profit organization develops and distributes up-to-date and objective women's health information based on the latest advances in medical research and practice. NWHRC believes all women should have access to the most trusted and reliable health information. Informed women are healthier women.

CONTACT: Amber McCracken of National Women's Health Resource Center, +1-888-406-9472.

National Women's Health Resource Center

CONTACT: Amber McCracken of National Women's Health Resource Center,+1-888-406-9472

Web site: http://www.healthywomen.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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