Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Breath tests can help detect traces of SARS-CoV-2 virus

Traces of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can be detected in microscopically small fluid droplets exhaled during a very short time span.

22 Feb 2022

High BMI in upper teens linked to elevated risk for severe COVID-19

Men with a high body mass index (BMI) in their upper teens had an elevated risk of severe COVID-19, requiring hospitalization, later in life, University of Gothenburg researchers show in a register study.

22 Feb 2022

Assessing the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

A new study investigated and compared the transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 variants of concern.

22 Feb 2022

Prevalence of chemosensory loss induced by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Italy

Researchers conducted a prospective cohort study to determine the prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction in mild to moderate COVID-19 patients in Italy.

22 Feb 2022

Lung microbiome alterations and secondary-infections in lethal COVID-19

Researchers examined how an interplay of host and microbial factors weakened immunity leading to secondary infections in COVID-19-infected individuals.

22 Feb 2022

SARS-CoV-2 occurrence compared with other respiratory viruses in children with acute respiratory infections

The current study examined the incidence of COVID-19 in children with ARI relative to other respiratory viruses during the second and third waves.

22 Feb 2022

An abundance of SARS-CoV-2-like viruses in hunted wild animals traded in China

New research published in the journal Cell assesses the viromes of 18 different species of game animals across China to predict potential pathogens similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that could infect human populations.

22 Feb 2022

Mouse-adapted virus model to study persistent COVID induced lung disease

Researchers develop a mouse model to identify early biomarkers and test countermeasures needed to detect and prevent PASC.

21 Feb 2022

Global SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequence distribution in early COVID-19

In a recent study published in the journal PLoS ONE, researchers evaluated the temporal spread and geographic distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) genomic variants.

21 Feb 2022

Climate change is sickening, literally!

A news study highlights the change in disease spread with climate change across the globe.

21 Feb 2022

Broad-spectrum antiviral activity of picolinic acid against SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A virus

Researchers investigate the potential of picolinic acid (PA) as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatment option.

21 Feb 2022

Monitoring rise of SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater using genome sequencing

Researchers conduct genomic wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 following the emergence of the Alpha and Delta variants in the United Kingdom.

21 Feb 2022

Prime Minister sets out the Government's plans to live with and manage COVID

Vaccines will remain the first line of defense against Covid-19 as the Prime Minister sets out the Government's plans to live with and manage the virus.

21 Feb 2022

Pathogens in pneumonia-associated respiratory samples from Wuhan prior to SARS-CoV-2 emergence

An interesting paper in PLoS Pathogens describes the broad situation with respect to respiratory pathogens that cause acute respiratory infection (ARI) and pneumonia in the city.

21 Feb 2022

Generic version of Viagra could be the long-waited remedy for dogs with megaesophagus

Sildenafil, the generic version of the drug known as Viagra, could be the long-waited remedy for a group of dogs with a rare disorder called megaesophagus.

21 Feb 2022

Comparing the genomic landscapes of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from animal species relative to that in humans

A recent study identified six candidate mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome adaptive to animal hosts.

21 Feb 2022

Full schedule of CoronaVac vaccine shown to be highly effective in children

A recent study on vaccine effectiveness showed that a complete primary immunization with CoronaVac effectively protects against severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for children and adolescents between 6 and 16 years of age – consistent with the results from phase 2 clinical trials. The paper is currently available on the Preprints with The Lancet* server while it undergoes peer review.

20 Feb 2022