Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Nasopharyngeal Flocked Swabs are recommended for H1N1 and influenza A testing

Preparing for this flu season, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) PSAB Committee on Laboratory Practices has recently published a new interim algorithm providing guidance to clinical laboratories responsible for testing patients with respiratory illness for Influenza A, including H1N1.

28 Oct 2009

Drug-cocktail approach offers hope in developing single agent to treat drug-resistant H1N1 swine flu

An experimental drug cocktail that includes three prescriptions now widely available offers the best hope in developing a single agent to treat drug-resistant H1N1 swine flu, says a virology researcher in the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

28 Oct 2009

HMSMobile Swine Flu Center application to provide information on H1N1 virus introduced

The HMSMobile Swine Flu Center, a new iPhone application developed by the Harvard Health Publications Division of Harvard Medical School, is now available for purchase in the iTunes store.

28 Oct 2009

H1N1 overwhelms hospitals; Sebelius addresses flu vaccine shortage

Hospitals across the country are overwhelmed "as waves of flu patients arrive at their doors, doubling their emergency room volume," USA Today reports. "Just as significant is the effect on intensive care units: A relatively small number of flu patients are requiring intensive care, but some are so ill they will need round-the-clock care for weeks.

27 Oct 2009

More people rely on alternative medicine

As consumers look to save money in a tough economy, many turn to alternative health care options. CBS 4 reports: "Health care costs are soaring. Thousands of people are without jobs and without the benefits afforded them. Now, those people are turning to preventative or alternative measures. ... The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) shows 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of kids are now using alternative therapies to treat pain. In fact, Americans are now reportedly spending $34 billion a year on alternative therapies" (Demos, 10/26).

27 Oct 2009

SDC-based hard surface disinfectant is effective against the 2009 H1N1

PURE Bioscience, creators of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial, announced today that its SDC-based hard surface disinfectant is effective against the 2009 H1N1 and is included on the list published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of antimicrobial products effective against the 2009 H1N1 flu strain based on their effectiveness against other influenza A virus strains.

27 Oct 2009

Hope for lung cancer patients

Lung cancer is the world's most common cancer, and an estimated 219,440 Americans are expected to be diagnosed this year. It is also estimated that lung cancer will cause 159,000 deaths in the United States this year - more than the total number of deaths resulting from breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.

27 Oct 2009

Inverness Medical Innovations announces its financial results for the third-quarter

Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc., a global leader in enabling individuals to take charge of their health at home through the merger of rapid diagnostics and health management, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

27 Oct 2009

China places third purchase order for H1N1 vaccine with Sinovac Biotech

Sinovac Biotech Ltd., a leading provider of biopharmaceutical products in China, announced today that it has received its third purchase order for its H1N1 vaccine, PANFLU.1, from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology for the national stockpiling plan.

27 Oct 2009

Life Technologies reports third quarter 2009 results; non-GAAP and organic revenues increase by 3% and 5%

Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) today announced results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2009. Non-GAAP revenue for the third quarter was $805 million, an increase of 3 percent over third quarter revenue of $784 million in 2008, as if Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems had been combined.

From Danaher 27 Oct 2009

New hygienic cutlery dispenser, DIXIE SmartStock, aids in fight against germs

Flu season is in full swing, and high-traffic establishments such as foodservice facilities must take preventive measures to ensure a hygienic and safe environment for their customers. Georgia-Pacific Professional Food Services Solutions is aiding in the fight against germs with its hygienic cutlery dispenser, DIXIE® SmartStock®.

27 Oct 2009

Boston Medical Center deploys Fusionfx Immunization Management portal to manage H1N1 vaccination

Acknowledging the critical role of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines in ensuring the safety and efficacy of H1N1 vaccinations, Carefx Corporation, a leading provider of interoperable workflow solutions to advance the quality and safety of patient care, today announced that Boston Medical Center (BMC) has deployed the Fusionfx Immunization Management portal designed to enter and track H1N1 vaccination administration history and support broad, community-wide immunization administration tracking.

27 Oct 2009

New anti-flu drugs to fight flu virus could become a reality

New anti-flu drugs could become a reality as a result of a study carried out by academics at the University of Hertfordshire.

27 Oct 2009

Centene Corporation third-quarter 2009 net earnings increases to $22.7

Centene Corporation today announced its net earnings from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 were $22.7 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared to $18.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2008. The results of operations for our New Jersey health plan, University Health Plans, are classified as discontinued operations.

27 Oct 2009

Vaccination rates need improvement; racial and ethnic disparities in vaccination coverage

More teenagers are being vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal meningitis and pertussis (whooping cough), though the rates are still too low, according to recently released government data and a panel of experts convened by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).

27 Oct 2009

Fero Industries to complete acquisition of Pyro Pharmaceuticals by November 30, 2009

Fero Industries, Inc. is pleased to provide certain disclosures relating to the ten pending patent applications of Pyro Pharmaceuticals, Inc. As previously announced, the Company has initiated the process of acquiring Pyro Pharmaceuticals, Inc. through an exchange of Pyro’s capital stock for shares of the Company’s common stock, with Fero remaining as the parent entity and Pyro as a subsidiary. The acquisition of Pyro is expected to close by November 30, 2009.

27 Oct 2009

Consumers concerned about H1N1 flu, to avoid shopping during holiday season

Nearly one in five consumers say their concern over the H1N1 flu will cause them to avoid shopping on traditionally busy retail days during the 2009 holiday season, according to a recent Morpace Omnibus Study.

27 Oct 2009

HHS releases new flu radio PSAs to promote flu prevention messages

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the availability of thirteen new 30-second flu radio public service announcements (PSA). These new radio messages feature 13 of America’s governors and Elmo from Sesame Street.

27 Oct 2009

Genomics can provide insights in understanding emerging infectious disease

This week, the Public Library of Science, an open-access publisher, presents the "Genomics of Emerging Infectious Disease," a collection of essays, perspectives, and reviews that explores how genomics-with all its associated tools and techniques-can provide insights into our understanding of emerging infectious disease.

27 Oct 2009

New data from efficacy study of CIMZIA in Crohn's disease patients presented

New data from an open-label extension study evaluating the long-term safety and efficacy of CIMZIA® (certolizumab pegol) in moderate to severe Crohn's disease patients demonstrate that 82 percent of patients actively treated with CIMZIA - the only PEGylated anti-TNF-alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha) - remained in long-term remission without dose escalation up to 3.5 years.

27 Oct 2009