Influenza

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and; about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Types of Influenza

Influenza is caused by three types of RNA viruses called influenza types A, B and C, which all belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae.

Influenza Epidemiology

Influenza Infection in Animals

Influenza Symptoms

Influenza Immunization

Influenza Treatments

Influenza Research

Should I get the Flu Shot?

Influenza Prognosis

Influenza Pandemics

Latest Influenza News and Research

Comprehensive antibody map reveals how SARS-CoV-2 mutations evade immunity

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and collaborators have created the most comprehensive map to date showing how antibodies attach to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, and how viral mutations weaken that attachment.

21 Nov 2025

Pairing antiviral therapy with immune modulation restores lung repair in lethal Influenza

Recovery from deadly influenza infection may hinge on helping the lungs heal in addition to stopping the virus, according to a new study in mice, which shows that pairing modest antiviral therapies with immune modulation can restore damaged tissues and lung function, even after severe infection has taken hold.

20 Nov 2025

Study compares GLP-1 drug benefits and finds substantial variation in clinical effects

GLP-1 receptor agonists improve glycaemic control and provide renal, metabolic, and selective cardiovascular benefits in people with type 2 diabetes, based on an umbrella review of 17 meta-analyses. However, these agents consistently increase gastrointestinal adverse effects and show important distinctions between class-level outcomes and individual drug effects, particularly for semaglutide.

20 Nov 2025

Global Virus Network awards first pandemic preparedness research grants across four continents

The Global Virus Network (GVN) is pleased to announce that, for the first time, it is awarding pandemic preparedness research grants, totaling $160,000, to GVN scientists across four continents.

20 Nov 2025

Waning immunity and falling vaccination rates fuel pertussis outbreaks

Rates of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, are surging in Texas, Florida, California, Oregon, and other states and localities across the country.

20 Nov 2025

Automated system relies on imaging droplets of biofluids for disease diagnosis

Not long ago, the idea of diagnosing a disease with a droplet of blood was considered a pipe dream. Today, this technology could soon become a reality.

19 Nov 2025

New AI investment aims to accelerate the search for an effective HIV vaccine

As of 2024, over 40 million people in the world are diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-a chronic, life-threatening infection that remains one of the leading global causes of death.

18 Nov 2025

Apriori Bio and A*STAR collaborate to develop next-generation saRNA influenza vaccines

Apriori Bio, a Flagship Pioneering company focused on developing prospective, variant-resilient vaccines, and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR IDL) announced a strategic research partnership to co-develop and evaluate next generation self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccines targeting seasonal and pandemic influenza.

18 Nov 2025

Gut immune cells follow an atypical pathway to provide long-lasting antiviral protection

A new study led by University of Toronto researchers has shown that immune cells in the gut follow an atypical pathway to produce antibodies that provide long-term protection against viruses.

17 Nov 2025

Preparing for the respiratory virus season: A guide for families

As respiratory virus season begins, pediatric experts are preparing for an expected rise in cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which can cause cold-like symptoms in most people but serious illness in infants and older adults.

17 Nov 2025

Wild birds found to be key drivers of H5N1 outbreak in North America

Since late 2021, a panzootic, or "a pandemic in animals," of highly pathogenic bird flu variant H5N1 has devastated wild birds, agriculture, and mammals.

14 Nov 2025

Age and flu vaccine type influence immune activation

New research comparing four different flu vaccines found that the ability of the vaccines to activate cells of the immune system that help to protect against infection varied greatly depending on the vaccine type and age of the patient.

12 Nov 2025

Tiny airborne plastics may facilitate virus spread

As plastic pollution worsens worldwide, scientists are uncovering a new and unsettling possibility. Tiny airborne fragments of plastic, known as micro- and nanoplastics, may do more than pollute the air we breathe.

11 Nov 2025

New delivery particle could make mRNA vaccines cheaper and more effective

A new delivery particle developed at MIT could make mRNA vaccines more effective and potentially lower the cost per vaccine dose.

7 Nov 2025

Experimental intranasal vaccine triggers broad immune response against multiple strains of H5N1

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) reported encouraging results from an early phase clinical trial that found an experimental intranasal vaccine triggered a broad immune response against multiple strains of H5N1 "bird flu".

6 Nov 2025

AI and protein language models can accelerate the design of antiviral antibodies

Artificial intelligence (AI) and "protein language" models can speed the design of monoclonal antibodies that prevent or reduce the severity of potentially life-threatening viral infections, according to a multi-institutional study led by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

5 Nov 2025

GLP-1 drugs calm inflammation beyond diabetes and weight loss

This Journal of Clinical Investigation review describes how glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)–based medicines reduce systemic and tissue inflammation through both weight-dependent and weight-independent mechanisms. It details preclinical and clinical evidence linking GLP-1 receptor activation to cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, neural, and joint anti-inflammatory effects while outlining uncertainties and future research needs.

4 Nov 2025

COVID-19, RSV, and flu vaccines remain safe and effective

The systematic review provides crucial insights into the efficacy and safety of respiratory virus vaccines, supporting evidence-based immunization practices.

3 Nov 2025

New research reveals how human astroviruses enter the body

Human astroviruses are a leading viral cause of the stomach bug-think vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. It often impacts young children and older adults, leading to vicious cycles of sickness and malnutrition, particularly for those in low and middle income countries.

3 Nov 2025

Latest findings can lead to the development of a vaccine to protect against common ear infection

Owwww, howls your child while holding its ear and crying. Recent findings can lead to the development of a vaccine to protect against a very common type of ear infection.

3 Nov 2025