Flu News and Research

RSS

New report reveals steep rise in lung disease admissions to emergency departments during winter

An 80% rise in lung disease admissions to emergency departments in winter plays a major part in pushing our A&E services over the edge. Yet, only 10% of hospital trusts who responded to an FOI request had plans in place to make more beds available for respiratory patients warns a new report from the British Lung Foundation.

12 Dec 2017

CAR T cell therapy shows long-lasting remissions in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients

In a pair of clinical trials stretching from Philadelphia to Tokyo, the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy Kymriah (formerly known as CTL019) demonstrated long-lasting remissions in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients.

11 Dec 2017

Two immunotherapy approaches for multiple myeloma show hope

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center have developed two experimental immunotherapy methods that include one chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who were not responding to other treatments.

11 Dec 2017

Modern non-invasive diagnostics can get clear picture of the heart’s condition

By no means are only elderly people at risk from heart diseases. Physically active individuals can also be affected, for example if a seemingly harmless flu bug spreads to the heart muscle. Should this remain undetected and if, for example, a builder continues with his strenuous job or an athlete carries on training, this can lead to chronic inflammation and in the worst case even to sudden death.

8 Dec 2017

Altering genetic mutation could enhance FluMist vaccine’s protective effect

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have discovered a genetic mutation in the FluMist intranasal flu vaccine that has the potential to be altered to enhance the vaccine's protective effect.

30 Nov 2017

Experts offer research strategies to yield more protective flu vaccine candidates

In a New England Journal of Medicine perspective, experts from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne discuss how the process of preparing seasonal influenza vaccines in eggs may contribute to their limited effectiveness.

30 Nov 2017

Children should be vaccinated against flu in the run up to Christmas, warns NHS

Children are “super-spreaders” of flu and should be given the flu vaccine to prevent them passing on illness to grandparents and other vulnerable people over the Christmas period, warns the NHS.

27 Nov 2017

Infectious disease experts warn about post-flu risks in elderly patients

Infectious disease experts are warning that flu can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and disability in elderly patients for months after they have recovered from their illness.

22 Nov 2017

Researchers find new way to boost cancer-destroying ability of T-cells

Researchers at Cardiff University have found a way to boost the cancer-destroying ability of the immune system's T-cells, offering new hope in the fight against a wide range of cancers.

20 Nov 2017

Pregnant mother in a coma wakes three months after delivery

A 33 years old woman from Victoria developed a severe case of influenza A or flu in August this year during her pregnancy with her first child. She developed severe complications from the flu and went into a coma and was placed at the intensive care unit at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital

19 Nov 2017

Drug used to prevent and treat malaria may also be effective for Zika virus

A new collaborative study led by researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute and UC San Diego School of Medicine has found that a medication used to prevent and treat malaria may also be effective for Zika virus.

17 Nov 2017

New model provides better understanding of epidemic spreading in realistic circumstances

New approaches are needed to control the spread of epidemic diseases, according to the developers of a new model of the way pathogens can 'cooperate'.

16 Nov 2017

Leading organizations call for responsible use of antibiotics to combat rising drug resistance

In the lead-up to World Antibiotic Awareness Week (13-19 November 2017), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health are together calling for responsible use of antibiotics in humans and animals to reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

13 Nov 2017

Recommendations to prevent heart failure hospitalizations

Heart failure (HF) affects approximately 5.7 million adults in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If not properly managed, HF can lead to frequent hospitalizations.

10 Nov 2017

Scientists uncover previously unknown mechanism to combat influenza A virus

Just as flu season swings into full gear, researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and University of Texas at Austin have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism by which the human immune system tries to battle the influenza A virus.

8 Nov 2017

Advances in needle-free flu vaccination methods show promise

Autumn has arrived, leaves are changing colors, and pumpkin spice aromas are sweeping stores. It's also the season for flu shots. The good news is that the annual jab in the arm designed to protect us from the flu might one day be a thing of the past.

8 Nov 2017

Bulgaria reports outbreaks of bird flu (avian influenza)

Veterinary authorities in Bulgaria have called for culling of nearly 8,000 ducks according to a food safety agency yesterday after two more regions there have reported avian flu infection. According to the agency a total of four outbreaks of bird flu have been registered in Bulgaria at this time.

5 Nov 2017

4-in-1 influenza vaccine appears to provide broad protection against flu

A vaccine combining centralized ancestral genes from four major influenza strains appears to provide broad protection against the dangerous ailment, according to new research by a team from the Nebraska Center for Virology.

3 Nov 2017

Collaborative research identifies broadly cross-protective vaccines for H3N2 influenza

A collaborative research and development partnership between researchers at the University of Georgia and Sanofi Pasteur, the largest influenza vaccine manufacturer in the world, has resulted in the identification of a vaccine candidate that protects against multiple co-circulating strains of H3N2 influenza isolated over five seasons following testing in mouse and ferret models.

2 Nov 2017

Many doctors, nurses working when sick with contagious infections

According to a new study, 4 in 10 health care professionals are turning up for work even when they are down with a contagious infection such as a flu. The study titled, “Working with influenza-like illness: Presenteeism among US health care personnel during the 2014-2015 influenza season”, was published in the November issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC).