Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

New campaign offers information and resources on seasonal and H1N1 flu prevention

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) says “Get the facts, not the flu,” in a new campaign that launches today at azblue.com/Flu. The flu campaign offers its members, employer groups and Arizona residents information and resources on seasonal and H1N1 flu prevention and immunization.

30 Oct 2009

Risk of serious flu-related sickness far outpaces risk of injectable vaccine in pregnant women

Pregnant women who catch the flu are at serious risk for flu-related complications, including death, and that risk far outweighs the risk of possible side effects from injectable vaccines containing killed virus, according to an extensive review of published research and data from previous flu seasons.

30 Oct 2009

U.S. won't donate H1N1 vaccine to developing countries until 'at-risk' Americans receive vaccine

The U.S. will hold off on donating H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine stockpiles to developing countries until "at-risk Americans" receive the vaccine, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Wednesday, Agence France-Presse reports

30 Oct 2009

Obama administration hits reset button in wake of flu vaccine shortage

Obama administration officials are working to control the H1N1 flu message after shortages have forced many to wait for the swine flu vaccine.

29 Oct 2009

Insurers brace for increase in COBRA claims

The nation's ailing economy continues to affect insurance companies, which could also face a wave of costly COBRA claims as policyholders rush to get treatment before government subsidies expire.

29 Oct 2009

AstraZeneca bolsters revenue with Toprol-XL and H1N1 vaccine sales

AstraZeneca, Third quarter revenue increased by 10 percent at constant exchange rates (CER) to $8,200 million.

29 Oct 2009

New herbal medicinal product for reducing mental and physical stress

Marketed under the trade name Vitango® and now available from pharmacies, the product is a special extract of a highly resilient plant called Golden Root (Rhodiola rosea) that grows in the freezing conditions of Northern Europe and Asia's mountain peaks.

29 Oct 2009

New Wake-up Light to provide pleasant wake-up experience

According to a recent survey, an overwhelming 60 percent of Americans are not satisfied with their current way of waking up. Recognizing the need for a better way to start the day, especially with the arrival of daylight saving, Philips has announced today the launch of its Wake-up Light - an innovative product that provides a more pleasant wake-up experience.

29 Oct 2009

CHU Sainte-Justine and The Montreal Children's Hospital to update the public regarding H1N1 testing at emergency rooms

The emergency rooms at the CHU Sainte-Justine and The Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre are seeing a significant increase in patients seeking care. The increase is due to patients with mild flu-like symptoms and fever and due to parents asking that their child be tested to determine if he has H1N1.

29 Oct 2009

Gen-Probe receives FDA emergency use authorization for its Prodesse ProFlu-ST test

Gen-Probe Incorporated today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an EUA (emergency use authorization) for its test, the Prodesse ProFlu-ST(TM), to be used in CLIA high complexity laboratories for the diagnosis of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection, aided by an algorithm that relies on seasonal influenza A/H1 virus and seasonal influenza A/H3 virus results, from a single sample in individuals who are diagnosed with influenza A by currently available FDA-cleared or authorized devices.

29 Oct 2009

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals reports fiscal 2009 third-quarter results

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced financial results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and provided a corporate update regarding clinical programs and potential emergency use of intravenous (i.v.) peramivir.

29 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 29, 2009

Today's headlines are all about the unveiling of the House health bill -- expected later this morning.

29 Oct 2009

Grassroots Health and the University of Toronto School of Medicine to host a Vitamin D symposium

Vitamin D Deficiency - linked to significantly higher rates of most cancers, heart disease, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and even flu - affects 97 per cent of Canadians. Yet fewer than 3 per cent of Canadians say they know their vitamin D blood levels.

29 Oct 2009

Centene takes proactive approach to prevent influenza virus through its Fluvention program

Centene Corporation takes a proactive approach with education around how to prevent the influenza virus each year through its FluventionTM program.

29 Oct 2009

Aetna operating earnings decrease by 38% in third-quarter 2009

Aetna today announced third-quarter 2009 operating earnings of $308.2 million, or $.69 per share, a 38 percent decrease from the prior-year quarter. Operating earnings exclude net realized capital gains (losses) and other items. The decrease in operating earnings per share from the prior-year quarter reflects a lower Commercial underwriting margin and a previously announced increase in pension expense partially offset by the impact of a lower number of shares outstanding year-over-year.

29 Oct 2009

Simcere Pharmaceutical Group to control a 50.77% stake in Jiangsu Yanshen

Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, a leading pharmaceutical company specializing in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of branded generic and proprietary pharmaceuticals in China, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a 74.49% stake in ChinaVax, a Cayman Islands company that, as its sole business, holds a 13.27% stake in Jiangsu Yanshen Biological Technology Stock Co., Ltd. ("Jiangsu Yanshen").

29 Oct 2009