Cold, Flu & Cough

What is the Common Cold?

The common cold, also known as rhinopharyngitis, is a type of respiratory tract infection caused by a virus.

Walking Pneumonia Versus Common Cold

Does the 'Stomach Flu' Vaccine Prevent Type I Diabetes?

Influenza Infection in Animals

Walking Pneumonia Versus Common Cold

Risk Factors and Walking Pneumonia Prevention

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Study highlights the mental health costs of marine ecosystem damage

The year-long algal bloom along the South Australian coastline has not only devastated marine life and triggered health risks for humans and pets: it has also had a significant psychological impact on local residents, according to new research.

4 Mar 2026

Natural fungal supplement strengthens vaccine protection without increasing side effects

Researchers at University California San Diego School of Medicine have found that a natural fungal supplement taken at the time of COVID-19 vaccination reduced short-term vaccine side effects and helped antibodies - the body's natural immune defenders - last longer in people who had not previously been exposed to the virus.

4 Mar 2026

Gut microbiota-derived metabolite directly shapes immune responses in bacterial pneumonia

Sepsis and severe pneumonia are frequently accompanied by disruption of the gut microbiota, leading to immune dysfunction and increased susceptibility to secondary infections.

4 Mar 2026

Canadian wildfire pollution associated with increased stroke severity

Short-term surges in air pollution in New Jersey from the 2023 Canadian wildfires were associated with a higher stroke rate and more serious strokes, according to a preliminary study released March 3, 2026, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 78th Annual Meeting taking place April 18-22, 2026, in Chicago and online.

3 Mar 2026

Minimally invasive ablation effective for early-stage kidney cancers

A large national study in Denmark following nearly 1,900 patients over almost a decade found that a minimally invasive procedure called ablation is as effective as surgery for treating small kidney cancers, with faster recovery and fewer complications. Results of the study were published today in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

3 Mar 2026

Even patients are shocked by the prices their insurers will pay — and it costs all of us

Samantha Smith of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, went into the operating room for emergency removal of an ectopic pregnancy.

3 Mar 2026

Research suggests new therapeutic targets for broad-spectrum antiviral drugs

Coronaviruses not only use the machinery of the human cells they infect: they modify it to achieve optimal conditions to produce viral proteins and thus spread more quickly. This is the main conclusion of a study by Pompeu Fabra University published in Nature Communications.

3 Mar 2026

Scientists put forward a new theory of brain development

Your brain begins as a single cell. When all is said and done, it will house an incredibly complex and powerful network of some 170 billion cells.

2 Mar 2026

WHO updates 2026-2027 flu vaccine composition amidst viral evolution

The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced recommendations for the viral composition of influenza (or "flu") vaccines for the 2026-2027 northern hemisphere influenza season.

27 Feb 2026

Corneal nerve function declines with age in aniridia patients

Congenital aniridia is a rare disease caused, in most cases, by mutations in the PAX6 gene, which is essential for the development of ocular structures.

27 Feb 2026

Sustainable inhalers offer better outcomes for COPD patients

26 Feb 2026

Combination therapy may help overcome barrier in early-stage prostate cancer treatment

A multi-institutional study led by Mayo Clinic and published in Cell Reports Medicine reports that pairing a next-generation immunotherapy with standard hormone therapy before surgery may help overcome a long-standing barrier in early-stage prostate cancer treatment.

26 Feb 2026

Prior COVID infection increases kidney disease risk

Approximately one in seven adults in the United States has kidney disease, where the organs responsible for filtering waste and excess water from the blood are damaged, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

25 Feb 2026

Lingering brain inflammation found after mild COVID infection

Even a mild case of COVID-19 or the flu can impact the body long after the fever and cough fade, according to new Tulane University research that may help explain why some people struggle to feel fully recovered weeks or months later.

25 Feb 2026

US measles and pertussis outbreaks expose policy failures, not just vaccine hesitancy

A recent commentary argues that US measles and pertussis outbreaks are not simply the result of vaccine hesitancy but reflect weakened immunization policies, permissive exemptions, and underfunded public health systems. The authors contend that policy environments determine whether pockets of low coverage escalate into large-scale, preventable outbreaks.

24 Feb 2026

Hospitals fighting measles confront a challenge: Few doctors have seen it before

At around 2 a.m., 7-year-old twin brothers arrived at Mission Hospital in Asheville. Both had a fever, a cough, a rash, pink eye, and cold symptoms.

24 Feb 2026

UCLA Health finds eco-friendly inhalers improve COPD outcomes

New research from UCLA Health suggests that certain inhalers used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are not only less harmful to the environment but can also lead to slightly better patient outcomes. Inhalers are essential therapies for COPD and other lung conditions, but many commonly used devices rely on propellants that are potent greenhouse gases.

23 Feb 2026

Study finds most YouTube advice on morning sickness lacks scientific evidence and some may pose risks

Researchers analysed highly viewed YouTube videos on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and found most recommendations lacked strong scientific evidence. Some advice appeared potentially unsafe, highlighting the need for clearer evidence-based guidance for pregnant women online.

23 Feb 2026

Scientists reveal how the body senses cold and menthol

When you step outside on a winter morning or pop a mint into your mouth, a tiny molecular sensor in your body springs into action, alerting your brain to the sensation of cold.

22 Feb 2026