Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Valley fever cases see sharp increase in November, say UVA experts

Valley fever cases in November saw a 50-percent spike over the previous month, leading experts at the University of Arizona Valley Fever Center for Excellence to predict a significant increase in cases in 2018.

15 Dec 2017

Offering lifesaving treatment for cervical cancer results in a net loss for hospitals

The evidence is clear: Cervical cancer is best treated with brachytherapy, a form of radiation therapy. Yet the use of this potentially lifesaving treatment has been declining, and a new study from the University of Virginia School of Medicine may explain why.

15 Dec 2017

Cornell engineers develop new method to measure vital signs using radio waves

No visit to the doctor's office is complete without a blood-pressure cuff squeezing your arm and a cold stethoscope placed on your chest.

14 Dec 2017

Relieving Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis with Exercise

We know that exercise is beneficial in helping someone to maintain their lung function, stay strong and active and maintain a good quality of life. We also know that exercise can complement ‘airway clearance techniques’ – breathing exercises prescribed by physiotherapists to help clear the lungs of mucus.

14 Dec 2017

Human ‘common cold’ virus kills healthy chimpanzees in Uganda

In the wild, chimpanzees face any number of dire threats, ranging from poachers to predators to deforestation.

13 Dec 2017

Lactic acid bacteria can offer protection against subtypes of influenza A virus

Lactic acid bacteria, commonly used as probiotics to improve digestive health, can offer protection against different subtypes of influenza A virus, resulting in reduced weight loss after virus infection and lower amounts of virus replication in the lungs, according to a study led by Georgia State University.

13 Dec 2017

Survey shows prevalence of diarrhea in people living with HIV

Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a human health company developing and commercializing novel gastrointestinal prescription products from plants used traditionally in rainforest areas, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jaguar Health, Inc., today released the results of a survey of 350 people living with HIV and AIDS on "Talking to Your Doctor About Symptoms".

13 Dec 2017

Time-lapse imaging reveals how antimicrobial treated surfaces kill superbugs in two hours

Experts at the University of Warwick have produced microscopic footage of the potentially deadly E. coli bacteria being wiped out in just two hours on an antimicrobial treated ‘intelligent’ surface.

13 Dec 2017

New report reveals steep rise in lung disease admissions to emergency departments during winter

An 80% rise in lung disease admissions to emergency departments in winter plays a major part in pushing our A&E services over the edge. Yet, only 10% of hospital trusts who responded to an FOI request had plans in place to make more beds available for respiratory patients warns a new report from the British Lung Foundation.

12 Dec 2017

Study: Employees with influenza have more lost work time

Employees with laboratory-confirmed influenza have more lost work time- including absences and reduced productivity while at work- compared to those with other types of acute respiratory illness (ARI), reports a study in the December Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

11 Dec 2017

Retirement’s revolving door: Why some workers can’t call it quits

In his view, Tim Franson utterly failed at retirement. After 20 years as a high-ranking vice president at drugmaker Eli Lilly, Franson and his wife, Chris, a successful real estate agent, thought they were quietly retiring nearly a decade ago to Bonita Springs, Fla.

11 Dec 2017

CAR T cell therapy shows long-lasting remissions in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients

In a pair of clinical trials stretching from Philadelphia to Tokyo, the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy Kymriah (formerly known as CTL019) demonstrated long-lasting remissions in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients.

11 Dec 2017

Two immunotherapy approaches for multiple myeloma show hope

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center have developed two experimental immunotherapy methods that include one chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who were not responding to other treatments.

11 Dec 2017

Steps to take for preventing dry eye in cold weather

As cold winter months arrive, many people will live in dry, indoor conditions with the heat on all day, which contributes to the season's being the most common time people complain about dry, itchy and watery eyes.

8 Dec 2017

Modern non-invasive diagnostics can get clear picture of the heart’s condition

By no means are only elderly people at risk from heart diseases. Physically active individuals can also be affected, for example if a seemingly harmless flu bug spreads to the heart muscle. Should this remain undetected and if, for example, a builder continues with his strenuous job or an athlete carries on training, this can lead to chronic inflammation and in the worst case even to sudden death.

8 Dec 2017

Nearly 3 in 10 elite footballers at top clubs have undetected lung and airway problems, study finds

New research from the University of Kent has discovered that nearly three in 10 elite footballers at top clubs in England have undetected lung and airway problems that could impair their on-field performance.

8 Dec 2017

Study shows how electrical stimulation in the brain instructs appropriate response

The brain's complex network of neurons enables us to interpret and effortlessly navigate and interact with the world around us.

8 Dec 2017

Severely preterm children with HRV have lower airway obstruction linked to retractions, wheezing

Human rhinovirus (HRV), the culprit behind most colds, is the leading cause of hospitalization for premature babies. However, in very preterm children, exactly how HRV causes severe respiratory disease -- and which patients may need more intensive observation and treatment -- is less well understood.

7 Dec 2017

Brokers tout mix-and-match coverage to avoid high-cost ACA plans

Health insurance a la carte? As the Affordable Care Act open-enrollment season moves into its final weeks, some consumers looking for lower-cost alternatives are considering a patchwork approach to health insurance. The products may secure some basic protection but leave patients on the hook for high medical bills.

7 Dec 2017

New tests offer better chance for more accurate detection of Lyme disease

New tests to detect early Lyme disease - which is increasing beyond the summer months -could replace existing tests that often do not clearly identify the infection before health problems occur.

7 Dec 2017