Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

California lawmakers debate sending local health inspectors into immigration facilities

Covid-19, mumps, and chickenpox outbreaks. Contaminated water, moldy food, and air ducts spewing black dust.

30 Jul 2024

Maternal immune response to flu linked to fetal brain changes

A bad case of the flu during pregnancy can increase the risk for fetal neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. But it's not the virus itself doing the damage; it's the mother's immune response.

29 Jul 2024

Health authorities warn about bird flu risks in raw milk and undercooked foods

With bird flu virus detected in cow's milk, U.S. health authorities have warned the public against potential sources of exposure, including drinking raw or unpasteurized milk, and have reiterated a general warning that consuming uncooked or undercooked poultry or beef products can make you sick.

29 Jul 2024

New project launched to accelerate development and accessibility of H5N1 mRNA vaccine candidates

A new project aiming to accelerate the development and accessibility of human avian influenza (H5N1) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine candidates for manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries has been launched today.

29 Jul 2024

Wearing surgical face masks in public spaces reduces the risk of self-reported respiratory symptoms

A team of Norwegian researchers conducted a pragmatic randomized trial to examine whether wearing surgical face masks while in public spaces resulted in a lower incidence of self-reported respiratory infection symptoms than not wearing a face mask.

29 Jul 2024

The CDC’s test for bird flu works, but it has issues

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a glitch in its bird flu test hasn't harmed the agency's outbreak response. But it has ignited scrutiny of its go-it-alone approach in testing for emerging pathogens.

26 Jul 2024

Alarming spread of H5N1 bird flu in US dairy cattle reveals cross-species transmission dangers

Researchers discovered that the H5N1 avian influenza virus has spilled over into dairy cattle in the US, posing significant cross-species transmission risks. Their multidisciplinary study reveals the virus's evolution and its zoonotic potential, emphasizing the need for heightened biosecurity measures.

25 Jul 2024

Study: Iron infusions superior to blood transfusions for surgical patients with anemia

In a rigorous medical records study covering tens of thousands of patients, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers conclude that some patients with preoperative anemia have better outcomes if they get iron infusions before surgery rather than standard red blood cell transfusions.

25 Jul 2024

Recombinant shingles vaccination found to lower dementia risk

The effects of recombinant shingles vaccines on dementia.

25 Jul 2024

Trial shows moderate reduction in respiratory symptoms with surgical face masks

Wearing a surgical face mask in public spaces reduces the risk of self-reported respiratory symptoms, finds a trial of adults in Norway published by The BMJ today.

25 Jul 2024

Study reveals moderate burden of post-COVID conditions in primary care

The post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC) or long COVID prevalence among United States (US) adults infected with SARS-CoV-2.

25 Jul 2024

Rising bed bug insecticide poisonings demand safer pest control methods, French study reveals

Researchers analyzed 1,056 cases of bed bug insecticide exposure in France, revealing a significant rise in poisoning incidents and emphasizing the need for safer pest control methods.

24 Jul 2024

Evaluation and treatment of early Lyme disease

Every year in the United States, an estimated 476,000 people are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease. The estimate comes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

23 Jul 2024

E-Cigarettes and Ethanol: A Forensic Perspective on Vaping

In this interview conducted at Pittcon 2024 in San Diego, we spoke to Professor Michelle Peace about the challenges and implications of detecting ethanol in e-cigarettes for drug testing and forensic toxicology.

From Pittcon 23 Jul 2024

COVID-19's impact on maternal mortality demands rethink of public health strategies

During the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there was an increase in maternal mortality in Chile. This is confirmed by a natural population experiment based on data from the Department of Health Statistics and Information (DEIS) of the Chilean Ministry of Health. The research was published in PLOS Global Public Health.

23 Jul 2024