Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

New study explores the potential of hormone therapy for opioid recovery

In the midst of America's growing opioid crisis, a much healthier alternative to long-term pain management is emerging - one affectionately known as "the cuddle hormone," or oxytocin.

11 Sep 2024

Severe illness odds higher in COVID-19 vs other illnesses

Study found that COVID-19 cases were more likely to experience severe illness and persistent symptoms compared to non-COVID-19 respiratory illnesses, with age, preexisting conditions, and chronic respiratory disease increasing the risk of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS).

10 Sep 2024

Preclinical blood test could predict severe respiratory conditions

A scientific team supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has created a preclinical blood test to identify adults most likely to develop severe respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

10 Sep 2024

Expert survey unveils underestimated health impacts of weather and climate on mortality

The study analyzes expert views on climate's role in mortality, linking weather hazards to health outcomes and highlighting urgent preventive strategies.

10 Sep 2024

Voice changes detected by smartphone may signal COPD symptom flare-ups

Changes in people's voices recoded on a smartphone can signal a serious flare up in symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a pilot study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria.

9 Sep 2024

Early smoking tied to increased respiratory problems in young adults

People who started smoking under the age of 18 are more likely to experience respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing and phlegm, in their 20s, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria.

9 Sep 2024

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Live from Austin, examining health equity

The term "health equity" means different things to different people. It's about access to medical care — but not only access to medical care.

9 Sep 2024

Weight loss interventions may lower risk of severe infections in diabetics

Weight loss interventions could reduce the risk of severe cases of flu and other infections in people with diabetes, new research being presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Madrid, Spain (9-13 September) suggests.

9 Sep 2024

Chinese farmed fur animals found to harbor dozens of novel viruses

Researchers identified 125 virus species in Chinese farmed fur animals, including 36 novel viruses with significant zoonotic potential, emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance to prevent future pandemics.

9 Sep 2024

Long COVID significantly affects children for up to 36 months, vaccines offer crucial protection

Study reveals the significant and lasting impact of long COVID on children, emphasizing the protective role of vaccines and the increased risk of autoimmune disorders.

8 Sep 2024

Yoga and stretching offer relief for urinary incontinence in older women

Older women struggling with urinary incontinence can benefit from regular, low-impact exercise, with yoga as well as stretching and strengthening showing benefits in a new study published Aug. 27 in Annals of Internal Medicine.

6 Sep 2024

As record heat sweeps the us, some people must choose between food and energy bills

During the heat dome that blanketed much of the Southeast in June, Stacey Freeman used window units to cool her poorly insulated mobile home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Over the winter, the 44-year-old mom relied on space heaters.

6 Sep 2024

Study reveals how sex hormones regulate immune system functions

Findings indicate that testosterone therapy in trans men alters immune system responses, suggesting implications for disease susceptibility and treatment.

6 Sep 2024

Arthritis medications could reverse COVID lung damage

Arthritis drugs already available for prescription have the potential to halt lingering lung problems that can last months or years after COVID-19 infections, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Cedars-Sinai suggests.

6 Sep 2024

Cancer drug offers life-changing results for severe lupus patient

The team at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is astounded by the huge improvement seen in a female patient with severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after being treated with the cancer medication teclistamab. Not long ago, the 23-year-old was wheelchair-bound due to the autoimmune disease.

6 Sep 2024

Mpox inactivated in 60 seconds with Σ-MM™ & patient friendly collection swab

In the wake of the global Mpox outbreak in non-endemic countries in 2022, the medical community has been searching for safer and more efficient ways to transport and test virus samples, especially from patients in areas with limited biological containment facilities.

From Medical Wire 6 Sep 2024

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

A call for robust H5N1 influenza preparedness and response

As the global threat of H5N1 influenza looms with outbreaks across species and continents including the U.S., three international vaccine and public health experts say it is time to fully resource and support a robust strategy to address this and future potential pandemic influenza threats, including to consider voluntary vaccination for those now at exposure risk.

5 Sep 2024

Selenium and manganese levels significantly impact mortality risk in asthma patients

Study reveals that both low and high levels of selenium and manganese in the blood are associated with increased mortality in adults with asthma, highlighting the importance of maintaining optimal levels of these metals.

5 Sep 2024

WHO unveils global framework for investigating origins of novel pathogens

With the support of the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), the World Health Organization (WHO) has published a global framework to help Member States comprehensively investigate the origins of new and re-emerging pathogens.

4 Sep 2024