Influenza

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three cases of a new flu virus have been confirmed in children, and the World Health Organization is already preparing a plan of attack.

Flu season is fast approaching, and as the weather outside gets frightful, more households will begin to utilize humidifiers as a temporary method to mitigate parched, stuffy air. According to a newly published study, however, this action could also help decrease the incident rates of influenza, as the flu virus floating around in the air can be killed with the aid of humid air.

"Near real-time" data on whether people are having any side effects from vaccinations is now available, thanks to new technology and a study performed in Scotland. The researchers, who focused on recipients of the 2009/2010 swine flu vaccination in Scotland, reported that using this technology can aid future vaccination campaigns by increasing consumer and patient safety.

A recent study has found that elementary schools which exercised a hand and respiratory hygiene program-including routine use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer-experienced a reduction in illness caused by influenza A, which resulted in a decline in missed school days for students.

According to the researchers, many formerly healthy children developed MRSA, an infection which contributed to the overall death toll due to respiratory failure.

Clinicians have reported that influenza vaccination increases autoantibody production and/or disease activity in a significant proportion of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Stop me if you've heard this before: vaccines are controversial. However, there is one place where there is no controversy at all-that place is in downtown Boston at a Convention Center where the American Academy of Pediatrics is gathering.

Referral for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cut mortality approximately in half for 2009 H1N1 patients with severe respiratory distress, a study finds.

A new study finds that the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccines performed very well, especially for older children and nonelderly adults.

Scientists have discovered an antibody that is effective against several dozen different strains of influenza.

The reality of a needle-free vaccine delivery system is even closer to being realized.

A recently discovered antibody shows promise in fighting off a wide variety of flu viruses and could lead to the development of a universal flu vaccine.

The vaccine approved by the FDA for the upcoming flu season contains the same three virus strains as last year.

Drinking coffee and tea may be linked to reducing antibiotic resistant bacteria carried by healthy people in their noses.

With the discovery of two antibodies that together can disable most flu viruses, the long quest for a universal flu vaccine may be drawing to a close.

Babies born to mothers who received a vaccine for the flu while pregnant are almost 50% less likely to be hospitalized for the flu.

Podcast review of issues relating to the H1N1 vaccine and patients with allergic disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its recommendations for the use of antiviral agents for the treatment of influenza.

Check out this useful collection of links to important influenza information from the CDC, the NCCC, key clinical journals, and other trusted sources.

Sad news hit the wire this morning when it was announced that Trish Keenan of the UK Broadcast passed away from pneumonia caused by the swine flu.

Tools like this online system for measuring influenza trends may help physicians and public health officials prepare for outbreaks in the future.

An infectious disease expert discusses the use of adult vaccines for H1N1, shingles, and other diseases.

Findings from a three-year study show that administering influenza vaccines to pregnant women can help prevent infants from contracting the flu.

The immune system defends the body against infections caused by bacteria and viruses, but also causes inflammation.

Getting a flu vaccination should be one of the most important items on everyone's holiday to-do list, says the CDC.

New data suggests that most individuals with egg allergies can safely receive the flu vaccine under the care of an allergist or immunologist.

The recent discovery of a patient having contracted the H5N1 virus has called to attention the dangers of this strain.