Influenza News and Research

Latest Influenza News and Research

Comparing the lasting effects: post COVID vs. non-COVID acute respiratory infections

Symptom profiles between individuals with prior COVID-19 and those with other acute respiratory infections (ARIs).

10 Oct 2023

RSV in seniors: Less common than COVID-19, but hits harder, CDC study reveals

In a recent CDC's MMWR study, researchers found that while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are less common than COVID-19 and influenza in Americans aged 60+ years, they result in much more severe clinical outcomes. This insight supports the CDC's recommendation for RSV vaccination in older adults, emphasizing its potential in preventing severe respiratory disease.

10 Oct 2023

1918 flu's true victims were not the fittest, but the most stressed

Analyzing remains of 1918 influenza pandemic victims, researchers from McMaster University and the University of Colorado Boulder found that the flu's most susceptible victims showed signs of prior environmental, nutritional, and social stress. Contrary to historical beliefs, the study, published in PNAS, revealed that those in poor health were more likely to succumb to the pandemic than healthy individuals.

9 Oct 2023

Compound found to inhibit influenza virus replication by targeting host enzyme

How can the propagation of influenza viruses be stopped? For a new approach in the therapy of influenza infections, Prof. Hiroki Kato from the Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation2 of the University of Bonn receives an Open Philanthropy grant of 2.2 million US dollars.

9 Oct 2023

People may experience 'long colds' after acute respiratory infections, study finds

A new study from Queen Mary University of London, published in The Lancet's EClinicalMedicine, has found that people may experience long-term symptoms -;or 'long colds'-;after acute respiratory infections that test negative for COVID-19.

6 Oct 2023

Strict pandemic-related IPC interventions reduced healthcare-associated infection rates, study shows

A new study conducted by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center suggests that enhanced infection prevention and control (IPC) measures implemented to address the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a significant decrease in many healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and a reduction in respiratory viral infections (RVIs).

5 Oct 2023

Pharmacists can play key role in boosting HPV vaccination rates

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is also the leading cause of cervical cancer.

3 Oct 2023

SARS-CoV-2 infection in coronary vessels linked to cardiovascular complications

Researchers reported that the increased long-term risk of acute cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19 is linked to SARS-CoV-2 infecting coronary vessels and inducing the formation of plaques.

3 Oct 2023

New study reveals alarming cardiovascular risks from COVID

The study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research reveals that SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, can directly infect coronary vessels and arterial plaques, heightening the risk of cardiovascular complications like heart attacks and strokes. These findings offer critical insights into the increased long-term cardiovascular risks for COVID-19 survivors and open new avenues for targeted therapies.

1 Oct 2023

Killer T cells in older adults found to be less effective at fighting influenza viruses

A world-first discovery has revealed special immune cells called ‘killer T cells’ in older adults, directed against influenza viruses, closely resemble those found in newborns and children, but struggle to recognise infected cells – a finding that unlocks the potential for the development of better vaccines and therapies tailored to different age groups.

30 Sep 2023

Brigham researchers quantify the burden of SARS-CoV-2-associated sepsis

Using data from Mass General Brigham's electronic health records, Brigham researchers quantified the burden of SARS-CoV-2-associated sepsis early in the pandemic.

29 Sep 2023

Researchers develop an improved way to test potential vaccines against bird flu

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Vaccine Research Center have developed an improved way to test potential vaccines against bird flu. The report was published this week in the journal iScience.

29 Sep 2023

What are the pharmacological properties of black goji berries?

The pharmacological effects of the components of Lycium ruthenicum Murray fruits.

29 Sep 2023

Commonly used anti-viral drugs reduce risk of hospitalization, death in patients with mild COVID-19

New Cleveland Clinic-led research shows commonly used COVID-19 anti-viral drugs Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir) and Lagevrio (molnupiravir) reduce risk of hospitalization and death in high-risk patients with mild disease, even with Omicron subvariants.

28 Sep 2023

Medication and mutations: molnupiravir's impact on SARS-CoV-2 genomes

Researchers discovered molnupiravir-associated mutational signatures in SARS-CoV-2 genomes.

27 Sep 2023

Early feeding practices key to shaping lifelong oral microbiome

Research delves into the little-explored world of the infant oral microbiome, examining how early nutrition and environmental factors shape it. With implications for lifelong health, the research aims to guide future health recommendations, emphasizing the need for more longitudinal studies and advanced sequencing techniques.

26 Sep 2023

UKHSA launches centralized source for infectious disease data

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched the first iteration of its new dashboard, which will serve as a centralized source for infectious disease and outbreak data this winter, making it publicly available in a timely and transparent way.

26 Sep 2023

UKHSA agrees a deal to produce life-saving vaccines in the UK

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has agreed a deal for millions of life-saving vaccines to be produced in the UK if a future influenza pandemic is ever declared.

26 Sep 2023

COVID drug molnupiravir appears to be driving SARS-CoV-2 to mutate and evolve

Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug used to treat patients with COVID-19, appears to be driving SARS-CoV-2 to mutate and evolve, with some of these new viruses being transmitted onwards, a new study has shown. It is not clear, however, whether these mutated viruses pose an increased risk to patients or are able to evade the vaccine.

25 Sep 2023

Future-proof vaccine candidate protects against wide range of coronaviruses

Studies of a 'future-proof' vaccine candidate have shown that just one antigen can be modified to provide a broadly protective immune response in animals.

25 Sep 2023