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 Immunization

Influenza Epidemiology

Influenza Prognosis

Influenza Symptoms

Influenza Treatments

Influenza Pandemics

Influenza Research

Influenza Infection in Animals

Should I get the Flu Shot?

Latest Influenza News and Research

Alarming spread of H5N1 bird flu in US dairy cattle reveals cross-species transmission dangers

Researchers discovered that the H5N1 avian influenza virus has spilled over into dairy cattle in the US, posing significant cross-species transmission risks. Their multidisciplinary study reveals the virus's evolution and its zoonotic potential, emphasizing the need for heightened biosecurity measures.

25 Jul 2024

Recombinant shingles vaccination found to lower dementia risk

The effects of recombinant shingles vaccines on dementia.

25 Jul 2024

Trial shows moderate reduction in respiratory symptoms with surgical face masks

Wearing a surgical face mask in public spaces reduces the risk of self-reported respiratory symptoms, finds a trial of adults in Norway published by The BMJ today.

25 Jul 2024

Study reveals moderate burden of post-COVID conditions in primary care

The post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC) or long COVID prevalence among United States (US) adults infected with SARS-CoV-2.

25 Jul 2024

Evaluation and treatment of early Lyme disease

Every year in the United States, an estimated 476,000 people are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease. The estimate comes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

23 Jul 2024

COVID-19's impact on maternal mortality demands rethink of public health strategies

During the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there was an increase in maternal mortality in Chile. This is confirmed by a natural population experiment based on data from the Department of Health Statistics and Information (DEIS) of the Chilean Ministry of Health. The research was published in PLOS Global Public Health.

23 Jul 2024

Long-term immune changes persist in unvaccinated COVID-19 patients

Study reveals that unvaccinated individuals experience significant long-term changes in immune parameters up to ten months post-COVID-19 infection, with a shift towards a Th2 cytokine profile.

21 Jul 2024

Study reveals a promising approach to developing universal influenza vaccine

New research led by Oregon Health & Science University reveals a promising approach to developing a universal influenza vaccine -; a so-called "one and done" vaccine that confers lifetime immunity against an evolving virus.

19 Jul 2024

Autoantibodies against type 1 interferons linked to higher susceptibility to viral disease

A new study shows that about two percent of the population develop autoantibodies against type 1 interferons, mostly later in life.

18 Jul 2024

Insights into megakaryopoiesis regulation by plasmacytoid dendritic cells

Platelets play an essential role in wound healing. Underproduction can cause devastating bleeding, while overproduction increases the deadly risk of thromboses.

18 Jul 2024

Flu viruses can use a second entry pathway to infect cells

Most influenza viruses enter human or animal cells through specific pathways on the cells' surface. Researchers at the University of Zurich have now discovered that certain human flu viruses and avian flu viruses can also use a second entry pathway, a protein complex of the immune system, to infect cells.

18 Jul 2024

Study finds dairy cows vulnerable to flu strains from birds, humans, and pigs

Researchers compared the distribution of sialic acid receptors in the respiratory tract and mammary glands of dairy cattle naturally infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus.

18 Jul 2024

Cystic fibrosis drug reduces hyper-inflammation in COVID-19 pneumonia patients

A drug commonly used to treat cystic fibrosis improved outcomes for patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and could be used to treat other respiratory infections, according to clinical trial results from researchers at UCL, UCLH and the Francis Crick Institute.

18 Jul 2024

Mathematical models reveal how steam travel escalated global pathogen risks during historical sea voyages

Researchers used mathematical modeling to study historical shipborne pathogen risks, finding steam travel and large-scale people movement significantly elevated transoceanic pathogen circulation.

18 Jul 2024

ARPA-H funding boosts Wyss Institute's RNA therapeutic project

With the award for up to $27 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), a collaborative research project at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University will advance a disease-agnostic novel RNA therapeutic with the potential to treat diverse diseases, and to be effectively and rapidly deployable.

15 Jul 2024

5 cases of bird flu reported in Colorado poultry workers, doubling this year’s US tally

Five people who work at a poultry farm in northeastern Colorado have tested positive for the bird flu, the Colorado public health department reported July 14. This brings the known number of U.S. cases to nine.

15 Jul 2024

Priority pathogens selected for wastewater surveillance during Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The study by researchers from the French national public health institute aimed to identify priority pathogens that could be suitable for wastewater surveillance (WWS) during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place from 26 July to 11 August and 28 August to 8 September, respectively.

12 Jul 2024

Optimizing influenza vaccine strategies with nanoparticle immunization

To offer cross-protection against diverse influenza virus variants, nanoparticle vaccines can produce pivotal cellular and mucosal immune responses that enhance vaccine efficacy and broaden protection, according to a study by researchers in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University.

11 Jul 2024

Finland is offering farmworkers bird flu shots. Some experts say the US should, too.

As bird flu spreads among dairy cattle in the U.S., veterinarians and researchers have taken note of Finland's move to vaccinate farmworkers at risk of infection. They wonder why their government doesn't do the same.

11 Jul 2024

How Aloe vera's medicinal properties make it essential in medicine, cosmetics, and food products

Comprehensive review highlights Aloe vera's versatile biological activities and its potential applications in medicine and cosmetics while addressing its safety concerns.

11 Jul 2024