Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Nasal spray of virus enzymes for ear infections

Parents might one day give their children a weekly treatment with a nasal spray of virus enzymes to prevent them from getting severe middle ear infections, based on results of a study done in mice by investigators from St. Jude and The Rockefeller University.

27 Apr 2007

Increasing survival of organ transplant patients by reducing time interval for transported organs

Preservation of an organ intended for transplant during transport from donor to recipient is of primary concern in ensuring a successful transplant.

27 Apr 2007

Employers can blame hay fever for the loss of millions of hours of work productivity this spring

A new study of nearly 600 people with hay fever symptoms, including sneezing, watery eyes and runny and itchy noses, found that workers missed an hour of work per week during peak hay fever season.

27 Apr 2007

Brits over-react to threat of crystal meth

In order to prevent the illegal production of the highly addictive drug, crystal meth, authorities in Britain are considering making some cold medicines available on a prescription-only basis.

26 Apr 2007

When it comes to bird flu - will Indonesia play the game?

Despite the fact that bird flu does not appear to have the news value it had a year ago, the deadly virus continues to circle the globe causing mayhem by killing humans and decimating bird populations.

26 Apr 2007

New searchable influenza gene database

A Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Research Institute team in Milwaukee has created a free, searchable genetic database that will significantly improve diagnostic testing and genetic tracking of human and animal influenza viruses.

26 Apr 2007

Increase in pneumococcal infections not covered by childhood vaccine

Alaskan native children are experiencing increased rates of serious infections caused by strains of pneumococcal bacteria that are not covered by the current childhood pneumococcal vaccine, indicating the importance of ongoing surveillance of vaccine effectiveness, according to a study in the current issue of JAMA.

25 Apr 2007

WHO facilitates influenza vaccine technology transfer to developing countries

As part of a concerted effort to ensure more equitable access to a potential pandemic influenza vaccine, six developing countries are being awarded grants to establish in-country manufacturing capacity for influenza vaccine. The countries are Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand and Viet Nam.

25 Apr 2007

WHO warns bird flu could kill 7 million

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning regarding the deadly bird flu virus currently circulating.

24 Apr 2007

Baxter Healthcare presents phase I inhaled insulin study results

Baxter Healthcare Corporation announced results of a Phase I study that evaluated pulmonary insulin produced with Baxter's PROMAXX microsphere technology and administered using a small, standard dry powder inhaler.

24 Apr 2007

Prostate cancer treatments impact on quality of life

A rigorous, long-term study of quality of life in patients who underwent one of the three most common treatments for prostate cancer found that each affected men's lives in different ways.

24 Apr 2007

Long-term study of prostate cancer treatments

A rigorous, long-term study of quality of life in patients who underwent one of the three most common treatments for prostate cancer found that each affected men's lives in different ways.

24 Apr 2007

Alcoholics should avoid excessive physical and psychological stress during early abstinence

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a hormonal system that defends against stress, starvation and illnesses.

24 Apr 2007

Abbott continues drug blacklist in Thailand, says AIDS Healthcare Foundation

AIDS Healthcare Foundation has chastised Abbott Laboratories for its 'quid pro quo' offer to the Government of Thailand to lower its price for Abbott's key AIDS drug, Aluvia (a heat-stable tablet version of Kaletra) to approximately USD$800 per patient per year -- an offer contingent upon Abbott's demand that Thailand immediately halt issuing compulsory licenses for the generic manufacture of this lifesaving drug.

24 Apr 2007

Thailand wins round two in battle to access cheaper AIDS drugs

The military government in Thailand has won the second round in it's battle to access cheaper AIDS drugs for the nations 580,000 AIDS sufferers.

23 Apr 2007

Review of nephron sparing surgery for localized renal tumors

Nephron sparing surgery for localized renal tumors has gained increasing acceptance as a standard of care in appropriately selected patients.

21 Apr 2007

Taming chronic cough

Chronic cough – often causing much discomfort, frustration, irritability and sleep disturbances in 10 percent to 20 percent of adults – is one of the leading reasons for consultation with a physician according to a report published this month in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology , the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

21 Apr 2007