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 Research

Influenza Prognosis

Should I get the Flu Shot?

Influenza Symptoms

Influenza Infection in Animals

Influenza Pandemics

Influenza Epidemiology

Influenza Immunization

Influenza Treatments

Latest Influenza News and Research

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

Scripps Research scientists receive NIH grant to unlock long-term HIV protection

Nearly 40 years after HIV was first identified, the virus continues its devastating march across the globe. Today, 38 million people live with HIV, and each year brings 1.5 million new infections and 650,000 more deaths-while nearly 10 million people still lack access to life-saving medicines.

31 Oct 2025

Global study suggests potential for universal vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae

A vaccine that tackles the bacteria that cause up to 200 million childhood infections every year could be possible, experts say.

31 Oct 2025

Common viruses sharply raise heart attack and stroke risk, major global review shows

In the largest synthesis to date, researchers reviewed 155 studies linking viral infections, including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, HIV, hepatitis C, and shingles, to increased risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. The findings highlight viral infection prevention and vaccination as underappreciated strategies for cardiovascular protection.

30 Oct 2025

Some acute and chronic viral infections linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease

In the weeks following a bout of influenza or COVID, the risk of heart attack or stroke may rise dramatically, and chronic infections such as HIV may increase the long-term risk of serious cardiovascular disease events, according to new, independent research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

29 Oct 2025

Doctors muffled as Florida moves to end decades of childhood vaccination mandates

Florida plans to end nearly a half-century of required childhood immunizations against diseases that have killed and maimed millions of children. Many critics of the decision, including doctors, are afraid to speak up against it.

27 Oct 2025

Influenza

Overview

Influenza Research

Influenza Prognosis

Should I get the Flu Shot?

Feature Articles

Influenza Symptoms

Influenza Infection in Animals

Influenza Pandemics

Influenza Epidemiology

Influenza Immunization

Influenza Treatments

Latest Influenza News and Research

Automated system relies on imaging droplets of biofluids for disease diagnosis

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

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

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

Preparing for the respiratory virus season: A guide for families

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

Age and flu vaccine type influence immune activation

Tiny airborne plastics may facilitate virus spread

New delivery particle could make mRNA vaccines cheaper and more effective

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

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

GLP-1 drugs calm inflammation beyond diabetes and weight loss

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

New research reveals how human astroviruses enter the body

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

Scripps Research scientists receive NIH grant to unlock long-term HIV protection

Global study suggests potential for universal vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae

Common viruses sharply raise heart attack and stroke risk, major global review shows

Some acute and chronic viral infections linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease

Doctors muffled as Florida moves to end decades of childhood vaccination mandates

Redefining control and consistency in anaerobic microbiome workflows

AI in Healthcare: How generative tools are transforming clinical practice

The future of automation: Machine learning–driven hepatocyte and organoid counting

Influenza

Overview

Feature Articles

Influenza Symptoms

Influenza Infection in Animals

Influenza Pandemics

Influenza Epidemiology

Influenza Immunization

Influenza Treatments

Latest Influenza News and Research

Redefining control and consistency in anaerobic microbiome workflows

AI in Healthcare: How generative tools are transforming clinical practice

The future of automation: Machine learning–driven hepatocyte and organoid counting

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