Awareness campaign to educate families on H1N1 flu virus, seasonal flu and common cold

Dial Complete Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash, the #1 doctor-recommended brand, today announced it is working together with other leading brands to raise awareness and educate families to ‘Plan, Prepare and Defend’ against the H1N1 flu virus, seasonal flu and the common cold.

With their campaign to provide a complete “solution” for cold and flu season, the partners KLEENEX Anti-Viral* Facial Tissue, CLOROX Disinfecting Wipes, HANSEN’S Natural Juice, TRIAMINIC Cold/Cough and DIAL COMPLETE Hand Wash hope to help families stay on track for wellness this cold & flu season.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 80 percent of infectious diseases, such as the flu, are spread through hands. “Hand washing is always important, but particularly after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, using the restroom, eating or preparing food, or touching an animal,“ says Eileen Lantier, RN, PhD and Associate Dean of Human Ecology at Syracuse University.

The “Plan. Prepare. Defend.” initiative provides helpful tips to further protect you and your family from spreading harmful germs at home, at school and in the community.

• Wash your hands frequently with Dial Complete Hand Wash and lather vigorously to increase the effectiveness of the soap in reducing dirt, germs, and bacteria from your hands.
• After rinsing and drying hands, use a paper towel to turn off faucet and open doors to prevent recontamination.
• Disinfect surfaces regularly like door knobs, stair rails, and counters, using Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, as directed, to avoid the spread of viruses.
• To avoid spreading person-to-person germs when coughing, cough into the crook of your elbow instead of your hands. You will help prevent the spread of germs.

“Please take action and protect yourself and your family all season by following the steps outlined in the 'Plan.Prepare.Defend’ campaign. Being proactive is key to maintaining and protecting your personal health,” says Nicholas "Dr. Nick" Yphantides, MD, MPH Family and Preventive Medicine Physician, San Diego, CA.

“You should also pump up your families’ immune system with healthy foods and plenty of sleep,” advises David G. Schrunk, MD.

If you do get sick, be prepared with plenty of KLEENEX Anti-Viral* facial tissue. It kills 99.9 % of common cold and flu viruses in the tissue. Throw away the tissue and wash your hands thoroughly.

The leading “Plan. Prepare. Defend.” brands are also offering coupons and discounts at participating local retailers to enable consumers to stock up on the items they need this cold & flu season.

In addition, there is also a school outreach element to the “Plan. Prepare. Defend.” campaign giving kids, grades K-8, the opportunity to learn more about cold and flu preparedness and a chance to win $500 for their school by entering the “Healthy Schools Challenge”.