Cough-Cold and Flu

HOUSTON — In an effort to help parents combat germs that children may come in contact with on airline tray tables, public bathrooms, hotel remotes, touch screen kiosks and more, Midway developed a highly effective germ-fighting hand sanitizer and packaged the gel — called b4 — in small, single-use packets that are easy to carry in a wallet, pocket or small purse.  

While the bold gel packet colors are fun for children and adults, the real b4 bonus comes down to charity — 50% of profits from the sale of b4 go toward children-focused causes.

ATLANTA — The annual ritual of visiting a doctor's office or health clinic to receive a flu shot may soon be outdated, thanks to the findings of a new study published in the journal Vaccine.

ATLANTA — It appears this year's flu season will officially wind down toward the beginning of March. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported a decline in influenza activity, though nationwide it's still above the national baseline. 

No states reported high influenza like illness activity, the CDC noted, and seven states experienced moderate ILI activity (Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas and Virginia).

LOS ANGELES — Hyland's recently added three line extensions to its portfolio of cough-cold products — both an adult and pediatric mucus expectorant and a nighttime option for toddlers. Mucus relief accounts for 14% of the cough-cold category, Hyland's reported, citing Nielsen data for the 52 weeks ended Jan. 18 across all channels. 

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — O'Connor Companies' new product GoGargle! was named Best New Product last week at the ECRM Cough-Cold, Analgesics and Allergy meeting. GoGargle! is an effervescent salt gargle that soothes and moisturizes dry and irritated throats in a new way. 

ATLANTA — Only one-third of adults between the ages of 18 and 64 have gotten their flu shot this season, which is a contributing factor to why this year's flu activity has hit young adults particularly hard, according to Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on Tuesday voted 25-to-9 to make pseudoephedrine a Schedule IV prescription drug and exempt medicines that can’t easily be diverted to methamphetamine, according to published reports. A similar bill is being considered by the West Virginia House of Delegates.

According to reports, the two exceptions to the prescription-only requirement would include Acura Pharmaceuticals' Nexafed and Westport Pharmaceuticals' Zephrex-D. 

ATLANTA — While flu activity declined slightly from the week prior, incidence of influenza-like illness rates remained above the national baseline for the week ended Feb. 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. 

Six states were still experiencing high ILI activity, including Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.