Respiratory Illness News and Research

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High dose flu vaccine reduces risk of respiratory and all-cause hospitalizations, study finds

In the largest nursing home study to date on the effect of a high dose (HD) flu vaccine, researchers found that vaccines with four times the antigen of standard flu (SD) vaccines significantly reduced the risk of respiratory and all-cause hospitalization during flu season.

21 Jul 2017

Children born late preterm have greater risk of recurrent hospitalization for respiratory illness

A new study of children up to 2 years of age showed that those born late preterm (34-36 weeks) had a significantly greater risk of recurrent hospitalization due to respiratory illness compared to those who were born full term (>37 weeks).

21 Jun 2017

Peer victimization in fifth grade has lasting effects on health and later substance use, study finds

A new study led by the University of Delaware found that kids who are bullied in fifth grade often suffer from depression and begin using alcohol and other substances a few years after the incidents.

8 May 2017

Novel test can rapidly diagnose flu in patients with severe respiratory illnesses

Doctors and researchers in Southampton have developed a novel way of using a swab test which can rapidly diagnose flu and other viral infections in patients with severe respiratory conditions – resulting in shorter courses of antibiotics and less time in hospital.

20 Apr 2017

Novel point-of-care testing strategy can speed up treatment for respiratory illnesses

Doctors and researchers in Southampton have developed a novel way of using a swab test which can rapidly diagnose flu and other viral infections in patients with severe respiratory conditions - resulting in shorter courses of antibiotics and less time in hospital.

5 Apr 2017

New report estimates economic burden of lung disease in the UK

Lung disease costs the UK a staggering £11 billion each year, according to a new economic report by the British Lung Foundation.

16 Mar 2017

Duke Health scientists identify proteins in mucous that confirm viral infection

It may seem obvious, but the key to confirming whether someone is suffering from a cold or flu virus might lie at the misery's source -- the inflamed passages of the nose and throat.

22 Feb 2017

Belgian scientists discover key role of Taok3 protein in triggering splenic B cell differentiation

Belgian scientists have discovered the key role of protein Taok3 in the development of type B immune cells known as MZB cells, which are responsible for making antibodies to fight diseases.

3 Feb 2017

Using common pain relievers during acute respiratory infection linked to increased heart attack risk

Widely used pain relievers may increase the risk of a heart attack when used during a cold or flu-like illness, according to a new study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

2 Feb 2017

UL researchers secure funding for new cystic fibrosis device

A medical device for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) sufferers which lessens their exposure to infections resulting in fewer doctors’ visits, reduced antibiotic usage and shorter hospital stays, is expected to be market ready within two years.

30 Nov 2016

High daily doses of vitamin D can help reduce incidence of ARI in older, long-term care residents

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found that high doses of vitamin D reduce the incidence of acute respiratory illness (ARI) in older, long-term care residents.

16 Nov 2016

Getting vaccinated can be best way to stay safe during flu season

Colder temps during the first months of fall are a stark reminder that people should start thinking about how to prevent the influenza virus, or the flu.

18 Oct 2016

New tool could help reduce antibiotic prescribing to children with cough and RTIs

Respiratory tract infections (RTI) with cough are the most common reason children are prescribed antibiotics by their doctors, but up to a third of prescriptions may be unnecessary.

8 Sep 2016

Smoke waves induced by climate change likely to affect millions in coming decades

Wildfires threaten more than land and homes. The smoke they produce contains fine particles (PM2.5) that can poison the air for hundreds of miles.

16 Aug 2016

Intranasal vaccine may provide long-term protection against multiple flu strains

Intranasal flu vaccines may be able to provide long-lasting protection against pandemic flu strains, according to a new study from immunologists at Columbia University Medical Center.

19 Jul 2016

Two Ebola vaccine candidates show promise in clinical trial

An immunization regimen using two Ebola vaccine candidates was safe and well-tolerated and induced an immune response in healthy adult volunteers in a Phase 1 clinical trial.

20 Apr 2016

Common viruses could produce mild to lethal cardiac injury

A review article has been published in the journal Current Pharmaceutical Design which provides an overview of therecent literature discussing the different clinical forms of heart disease resulting from virus infections including the prognosis, and current therapies.

2 Apr 2016

Boosting the body's natural defences to stop RSV infection

Babies at risk of a serious lung infection could be helped by a therapy based on the body's natural immune defences.

8 Mar 2016

Researchers solve structure of key protein in coronaviruses, like MERS and SARS

When the respiratory illness SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) emerged in 2003, it killed at least 775 people before it was contained. Nine years later, MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) began circulating in the human population—and has gone on to have a 36 percent case fatality rate.

7 Mar 2016

Duke researchers closer to developing rapid blood test for bacterial and viral infections

Researchers at Duke Health are fine-tuning a test that can determine whether a respiratory illness is caused by infection from a virus or bacteria so that antibiotics can be more precisely prescribed.

21 Jan 2016