Common Cold News and Research

RSS

Hypertonic saline speeds recovery from colds

Using hypertonic saline nasal drops can reduce the length of the common cold in children by two days, according to a study that will be presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria. They can also reduce the onward transmission of colds to family members.

6 Sep 2024

First-generation antihistamine drugs could increase seizure risk among young children

Research indicates first-generation antihistamines may elevate seizure risk in young children, highlighting the need for careful prescription practices.

30 Aug 2024

Many children with recurrent wheezing have "silent" lung infections, research reveals

Nearly a quarter of children with recurrent wheezing have "silent" lung infections that would be better treated with antiviral medications than commonly prescribed steroids that can carry lifelong side effects, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine reveals.

8 Aug 2024

Study: Iron infusions superior to blood transfusions for surgical patients with anemia

In a rigorous medical records study covering tens of thousands of patients, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers conclude that some patients with preoperative anemia have better outcomes if they get iron infusions before surgery rather than standard red blood cell transfusions.

25 Jul 2024

Research shows the impact of COVID-19 vaccination rates on pediatric asthma symptoms

States with high rates of COVID-19 vaccination saw more pediatric asthma patients get a break from their symptoms, according to new research published today in JAMA Network Open by leaders from Nemours Children's Health and Endeavor Health.

3 Jul 2024

Study links common infections to enhanced COVID-19 defense in children

Analyzing nasal swabs taken during the pandemic, researchers at Yale School of Medicine suggest that the frequent presence of other viruses and bacteria may have helped to protect children from the worst effects of COVID-19 by boosting their immune systems.

1 Jul 2024

Research expands understanding of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis

New research led by Flinders University and international experts is expanding understanding of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (known as VITT).

16 May 2024

Common HIV drugs linked to reduced Alzheimer's disease risk

Alzheimer's disease (AD) currently afflicts nearly seven million people in the U.S. With this number expected to grow to nearly 13 million by 2050, the lack of meaningful therapies represents a major unmet medical need.

16 Apr 2024

Antibiotics ineffective for cough treatment in lower respiratory tract infections

Use of antibiotics provided no measurable impact on the severity or duration of coughs even if a bacterial infection was present, finds a large, prospective study of people who sought treatment in U.S. primary or urgent care settings for lower-respiratory tract infections.

15 Apr 2024

Study reveals the impact of prompt design on ChatGPT's health advice accuracy

Study by CSIRO and The University of Queensland highlights how the phrasing of prompts influences the accuracy of health information provided by ChatGPT, showing a significant variance in effectiveness based on prompt design.

4 Apr 2024

mRNA vaccines train T cells in waves, study shows

mRNA vaccines developed against the spike glycoprotein of severe acute respiratory syndrome type 2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), displayed remarkable efficiency in combating coronavirus 19 (COVID-19).

9 Mar 2024

Unlocking vitamin B6's role in pancreatic cancer and immune system battle

Vitamin B6 is beneficial in many ways, notably for its role in maintaining a strong immune system. However, when pancreatic cancer develops, its cells also need vitamin B6 to replicate.

23 Feb 2024

HBO's 'The Last of Us' fungal apocalypse, science fiction, not future reality

Researchers in "Emerging Infectious Diseases" debunk the scenario of a global fungal pandemic as depicted in HBO's 'The Last of Us,' citing slow fungal evolution and current pathologies as barriers to such an event.

15 Feb 2024

SARS-CoV-2 fragments found to mimic immune system peptides, fueling inflammation

Study reveals SARS-CoV-2 fragments mimic immune peptides, potentially driving the virus's inflammatory response, offering insights into COVID-19's severe inflammation mechanisms.

5 Feb 2024

"Zombie" viral fragments trigger inflammation to cause serious COVID-19 outcomes

There are many lingering mysteries from the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, why does SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind the disease, cause severe symptoms in some patients, while many other coronaviruses don't? And what causes strange symptoms to persist even after the infection has been cleared from a person's system?

30 Jan 2024

Prior exposure to common cold coronaviruses can train T cells to fight SARS-CoV-2

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have found direct evidence that exposure to common cold coronaviruses can train T cells to fight SARS-CoV-2. In fact, prior exposure to a common cold coronavirus appears to partially protect mice from lung damage during a subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

27 Jan 2024

Can vitamin C reduce the severity of the common cold?

The effect of vitamin C supplementation on common cold severity and duration.

13 Dec 2023

New 4-in-1 test can differentiate between swine flu, COVID-19, RSV, and influenza

The first case of a new strain of ‘swine flu’ has been detected in a human in the UK. The last swine flu pandemic killed 457 people in Britain alone. A leading testing expert says this strain looks to be very different but is urging Brits to take precautions.

4 Dec 2023

Human behavior may drive the evolution of new coronavirus strains

Using artificial intelligence technology and mathematical modeling, a research group led by Nagoya University has revealed that human behavior, such as lockdowns and isolation measures, affect the evolution of new strains of COVID-19.

21 Nov 2023

Uniting Against Antimicrobial Resistance: An Interview with the World Health Organization

An interview with Kitty van Weezenbeek, Director of Surveillance, Prevention and Control of AMR for the World Health Organistion (WHO) AMR division.

20 Nov 2023