Influenza

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and; about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Types of Influenza

Influenza is caused by three types of RNA viruses called influenza types A, B and C, which all belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae.

Influenza Immunization

Influenza Epidemiology

Influenza Prognosis

Influenza Symptoms

Influenza Treatments

Influenza Pandemics

Influenza Research

Influenza Infection in Animals

Should I get the Flu Shot?

Latest Influenza News and Research

New study uses internet data to map seasonal allergy patterns across the US

Internet-derived data and AI enhance seasonal allergy predictions, revealing patterns and regional variations crucial for public health management in the U.S.

30 Oct 2024

Unraveling the mechanism of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules in influenza treatment

Shufeng Jiedu Capsules (SFJD), a traditional Chinese medicine preparation, are widely used in the clinical treatment of influenza, yet their mechanism of action remains unclear.

29 Oct 2024

Genetic marker could revolutionize neonatal sepsis diagnosis

A genetic signature in newborns can predict neonatal sepsis before symptoms even start to show, according to a new study.

29 Oct 2024

Research identifies respiratory transmission potential of H5N1 virus

A highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, isolated from the eye of a farm worker who became infected through contact with dairy cows, was lethal in mice and ferrets infected in a high-containment laboratory environment, according to a new study in Nature.

28 Oct 2024

Study highlights importance of RSV vaccination for high-risk populations

Since their introduction last year, researchers have been monitoring the real-world impact of the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines.

28 Oct 2024

Expanded access to weight-loss drugs could save thousands of lives

Researchers explore the potential benefits of expanding access to novel weight loss drugs to enhance survival rates in overweight and obese individuals.

28 Oct 2024

Exclusive: Emails reveal how health departments struggle to track human cases of bird flu

Bird flu cases have more than doubled in the country within a few weeks, but researchers can't determine why the spike is happening because surveillance for human infections has been patchy for seven months.

25 Oct 2024

Masks and smart seating cut COVID-19 risks on flights, review finds

Air travel review reveals sporadic SARS-CoV-2 transmission, with mask use and seating proximity key to infection risk.

24 Oct 2024

Study finds minority patients less likely to refuse vaccines

Throughout the Covid pandemic, media widely reported that Black patients were more likely than White patients to refuse vaccines, including the influenza and Covid vaccines.

24 Oct 2024

High-sensitivity wastewater surveillance correlates with COVID-19 infections

Wastewater surveillance has gained attention as an effective method for monitoring regional infection trends. In July 2024, the National Action Plan for Novel Influenza, etc. included the regular implementation of wastewater surveillance during normal times, with results to be published periodically in Japan.

24 Oct 2024

New antibody platform targets evolving viruses

Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in collaboration with colleagues in the field, have developed an innovative antibody platform aimed at tackling one of the greatest challenges in treating rapidly evolving viruses like SARS-CoV-2: their ability to mutate and evade existing vaccines and therapies.

23 Oct 2024

New CDC report highlights disparities in flu hospitalization and vaccination

Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults in the United States are more likely to be hospitalized with flu, as well as less likely to be vaccinated against flu, according to a new CDC Vital Signs report.

22 Oct 2024

Real world data highlights effectiveness of RSV vaccine

A multi-state study, published in The Lancet, is one of the first real world data analyses of the effectiveness of the RSV -- short for respiratory syncytial virus -- vaccine.

18 Oct 2024

Tissue chips help translate respiratory disease research into clinical applications

Scientists are developing advanced tools to understand and treat neurological symptoms such as brain fog associated with respiratory diseases like influenza.

17 Oct 2024

Electronic nudges improve flu vaccination rates in non-diabetic patients but fail to increase uptake in diabetics

Electronic nudges had a small impact on flu vaccine uptake in patients without diabetes but showed no significant effect among diabetic patients, suggesting the need for tailored strategies for this group.

16 Oct 2024

COVID-19 raises the risk of type 2 diabetes in children, study reveals

Researchers found that children who contracted COVID-19 were at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes within six months, compared to those with other respiratory infections.

15 Oct 2024

Novel app enables surveillance of global travel-related illness

On around one in three trips someone falls ill, with gastrointestinal and respiratory complaints among the most common symptoms.

15 Oct 2024

WHO report highlights the role of vaccines in reducing antibiotic use

A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) finds that vaccines against 24 pathogens could reduce the number of antibiotics needed by 22% or 2.5 billion defined daily doses globally every year, supporting worldwide efforts to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

10 Oct 2024

Scientists detect replication-competent Oropouche virus in semen of traveler, sparking transmission fears

Researchers confirmed the presence of replication-competent Oropouche virus in semen, raising concerns about potential sexual transmission following a traveler's infection.

9 Oct 2024

US study uncovers antiviral resistance in swine-origin influenza, urging enhanced pandemic surveillance

Researchers in the US analyzed swine-origin influenza viruses, identifying key mutations that could reduce antiviral drug effectiveness and threaten pandemic preparedness.

9 Oct 2024

Influenza

Overview

Influenza Immunization

Influenza Epidemiology

Influenza Prognosis

Feature Articles

Influenza Symptoms

Influenza Treatments

Influenza Pandemics

Influenza Research

Influenza Infection in Animals

Should I get the Flu Shot?

Latest Influenza News and Research

New study uses internet data to map seasonal allergy patterns across the US

Unraveling the mechanism of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules in influenza treatment

Genetic marker could revolutionize neonatal sepsis diagnosis

Research identifies respiratory transmission potential of H5N1 virus

Study highlights importance of RSV vaccination for high-risk populations

Expanded access to weight-loss drugs could save thousands of lives

Exclusive: Emails reveal how health departments struggle to track human cases of bird flu

Masks and smart seating cut COVID-19 risks on flights, review finds

Study finds minority patients less likely to refuse vaccines

High-sensitivity wastewater surveillance correlates with COVID-19 infections

New antibody platform targets evolving viruses

New CDC report highlights disparities in flu hospitalization and vaccination

Real world data highlights effectiveness of RSV vaccine

Tissue chips help translate respiratory disease research into clinical applications

Electronic nudges improve flu vaccination rates in non-diabetic patients but fail to increase uptake in diabetics

COVID-19 raises the risk of type 2 diabetes in children, study reveals

Novel app enables surveillance of global travel-related illness

WHO report highlights the role of vaccines in reducing antibiotic use

Scientists detect replication-competent Oropouche virus in semen of traveler, sparking transmission fears

US study uncovers antiviral resistance in swine-origin influenza, urging enhanced pandemic surveillance

Shaping the Future of Neuroscience: A Conversation with Atlas Antibodies on the MolBoolean™ and the Impact of SfN 2024

How the Arts Reshape Brain Function: Susan Magsamen on the Future of Neuroaesthetics

Inside the Alzheimer's Association: Dr. Heather Snyder on Driving Research and Collaboration

Influenza

Overview

Feature Articles

Influenza Symptoms

Influenza Treatments

Influenza Pandemics

Influenza Research

Influenza Infection in Animals

Should I get the Flu Shot?

Latest Influenza News and Research

Shaping the Future of Neuroscience: A Conversation with Atlas Antibodies on the MolBoolean™ and the Impact of SfN 2024

How the Arts Reshape Brain Function: Susan Magsamen on the Future of Neuroaesthetics

Inside the Alzheimer's Association: Dr. Heather Snyder on Driving Research and Collaboration

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