Cold and Flu News

September 5, 2016

Common Cold Viruses Originated in Camels

Time of Day Affects Susceptibility to Infection

Engineers Design Programmable RNA Vaccines

2009 Swine Flu Pandemic Originated in Mexico

Latest Headlines

updated 6:22am EDT

Size of Zika Epidemic May Be Underestimated, Study Suggests

Aug. 31, 2016 — Official statistics may underestimate the size of the epidemic caused by Zika virus, new research suggests. Some cases of Zika may be misreported as dengue. Uncertainty about the statistics tends to ... read more

New Virus Gets Official Name, Influenza D

Sep. 1, 2016 — A new influenza virus that affects cattle has an official name. influenza D. The executive committee of the International Committee of Taxonomy of Virus announced a new genus, Orthomyxovirdae, with a ... read more

New Flu Strains and Old Antibodies: How Sinful Is 'Original Antigenic Sin'?

Aug. 18, 2016 — Immune memory ensures a quick, specific response to previously encountered pathogens. However, for rapidly evolving pathogens like influenza virus, there is concern that recalled ('old') antibodies ... read more

Flu Nasal Spray Provides Similar Protection Against Influenza as Flu Shot: Study

Aug. 15, 2016 — A three-year trial in a Hutterite colony, where people live communally and are relatively isolated from cities and towns, was set to determine ... read more

How Antiviral Antibodies Become Part of Immune Memory

Aug. 15, 2016 — Scientists probe activated B cells, important for forming immune memory, during flu vaccination and infection and Ebola infection in humans. Understanding how to elicit these cells is critical for ... read more

New Study Explains Why MRSA 'Superbug' Kills Influenza Patients

Aug. 15, 2016 — Secondary infection with the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacterium (or 'superbug') often kills influenza patients because the flu virus alters the antibacterial response of ... read more

Researchers Pinpoint Key Influenza-Fighting Immune Trigger

Aug. 12, 2016 — Scientists have identified the molecule that recognizes the influenza virus in infected cells and triggers their suicide to fight the infection, outlines a ... read more

New Model Sheds Light on Secondary Bacterial Pneumonia

Aug. 9, 2016 — For years, researchers have known that the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus can trigger severe, sometimes deadly secondary bacterial pneumonia, in some people who are subsequently infected with ... read more

Flu Vaccine Uptake Slightly Higher in Provinces That Allow Vaccination by Pharmacists

Aug. 8, 2016 — People who live in provinces with policies that allow pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines are more likely to be vaccinated, according to a ... read more

Vaccines Fail to Protect Obese Mice from Severe Influenza Infections

Aug. 2, 2016 — A new study found that obese mice are not protected against influenza infections by vaccines that include adjuvants, raising concerns about vaccine effectiveness in obese ... read more

Hong Kong Culls Thousands of Birds Over Avian Flu Scare

If Avian Flu Returns, Egg Prices Could Increase To $6

Millions of Hens Euthanized in Midwest Bird Flu Outbreak

Poultry Culled in Taiwan to Thwart Bird Flu

Mouse Study Points Way to Shut Down Harmful Immune Response in Lupus

Aug. 17, 2016 — Molecules that scavenge debris from dying cells appear to halt the cycle of chronic inflammation in lupus, while also enhancing the body’s ability to combat flu, according to studies in ... read more

Gastrointestinal Illnesses Cost the Swiss Health Care Sector Up to EUR 45 Million Per Year

Aug. 12, 2016 — Acute diarrhea entails annual health care costs of EUR 29 to EUR 45 million in Switzerland. Thereof, around a quarter is due to infections of the diarrhea-causing pathogen Campylobacter, say ... read more

Combining Forces Against Influenza A

Aug. 12, 2016 — Influenza A is one of the most prolific and diverse viruses on Earth; its ability to rapidly mutate to resist treatment challenges the management of future pandemics. Effective antiviral drugs for ... read more

Distraction Techniques Can Soothe Shot Anxiety During This Year's Flu Season

Aug. 10, 2016 — A typical visit to the pediatrician when it is time for a child to get a shot can include tears, tantrums and might not seem worth the trouble. But with the FluMist not being offered by many ... read more

Vaccination: Zika Infection Is Caused by One Virus Serotype

July 29, 2016 — Vaccination against a single strain of Zika virus should be sufficient to protect against genetically diverse strains of the virus, according to a new ... read more

Migratory Birds Are Not a Reservoir for Highly Pathogenic Flu Viruses, Evidence Suggests

July 25, 2016 — The H5 avian influenza A virus that devastated North American poultry farms in 2014-15 was initially spread by migratory waterfowl, but evidence suggests such highly pathogenic flu viruses do not ... read more

Flu Vaccine Reduces Risk of Hospital Stay for Stroke, Heart Failure for Diabetes Patients

July 25, 2016 — People with type 2 diabetes who receive the influenza vaccine may be less likely to be admitted to hospital for myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure, according to new ... read more

Researchers 'Solve' Key Zika Virus Protein Structure

July 25, 2016 — Researchers have revealed the molecular structure of a protein produced by the Zika virus that is thought to be involved in the virus's reproduction and its interaction with a host's immune ... read more

Vaccine Strategy Induces Antibodies That Can Target Multiple Influenza Viruses

July 22, 2016 — Scientists have identified three types of vaccine-induced antibodies that can neutralize diverse strains of influenza virus that infect humans. The discovery will help guide development of a ... read more

Functionalized Surfaces With Tailored Wettability Determine Influenza A Infectivity

July 20, 2016 — Findings of a research team may pave the way for the design of new and more effective antimicrobial surfaces. These insights constitute the basis for guiding the design and development of new ... read more

Intranasal Flu Vaccine Produces Long-Lasting Immune Response in Mice

July 18, 2016 — Intranasal flu vaccines may be able to provide long-lasting protection against pandemic flu strains, according to a new study from ... read more

Discovery of New Strains of the HTLV-4 Virus in Hunters Bitten by Gorillas in Gabon

July 13, 2016 — Scientists have identified two new strains of the HTLV-4 virus in two hunters who were bitten by gorillas in Gabon. These findings support the notion that gorillas represent a major source of ... read more

Zinc Lozenges Help Most Patients Recover Earlier from the Common Cold

July 6, 2016 — Zinc acetate lozenges may reduce the duration of the common cold by nearly 3 days, according to a recent ... read more

Maternal Vaccination Against Influenza Associated With Protection for Infants

July 5, 2016 — How long does the protection from a mother's immunization against influenza during pregnancy last for infants after they are born? A new study indicates that the vaccine's efficacy against ... read more

Key Difference in Immune Cells May Explain Children's Increased Susceptibility to Illness

July 1, 2016 — Schools are commonly known as breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria, but this may not necessarily be linked to hygiene. New research in mice shows that because their immune systems do not operate ... read more

Rate of Decline of Cardiovascular Deaths Slows in US

June 29, 2016 — Recent national trends in death rates due to all cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart disease (HD), stroke, and cancer, have been evaluated by research, who also evaluated the gap between mortality ... read more

Next Flu Pandemic Could Double Past Cost Estimates

June 28, 2016 — Policy makers’ and public health officials’ proper reactions could hold down the total costs to U.S. GDP of an influenza outbreak. Otherwise, costs could be nearly double previous estimates, say ... read more

Some Viruses Could Survive on Children's Toys for Hours and Cause Infection, Study Finds

June 23, 2016 — Certain viruses, such as influenza, could survive on children's toys long enough to result in exposures, placing children at risk for getting infectious diseases, according to ... read more

Boosting Immunity in Older Adults: Study Unmasks New Infection-Fighting T Cells

June 13, 2016 — Immune-system frailty in adults 65 and older is a widespread public health issue. A study now points to new cells that may hold a ... read more

Antibodies Triggered by Avian Influenza Virus Vaccine Illuminate a New Path Toward Universal Flu Vaccine

June 8, 2016 — Diverse antibodies induced in humans by vaccination with an avian influenza virus vaccine may offer broader, more durable protection against multiple strains of influenza than today's vaccines ... read more

Wednesday, August 17, 2016