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 Symptoms

Influenza Epidemiology

Influenza Research

Influenza Prognosis

Should I get the Flu Shot?

Influenza Immunization

Influenza Treatments

Influenza Pandemics

Influenza Infection in Animals

Latest Influenza News and Research

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

New epimodulation approach improves outbreak forecasts

During an epidemic, some of the most critical questions for healthcare decision-makers are the hardest ones to answer: When will the epidemic peak, how many people will need treatment at once and how long will that peak level of demand for care last? Timely answers can help hospital administrators, community leaders and clinics decide how to deploy staff and other resources most effectively.

24 Oct 2025

A parent's guide to manage pediatric respiratory illnesses during the virus season

As we head deeper into fall and toward the holiday season, your little one may start to exhibit symptoms like a runny nose, cough, or fever.

24 Oct 2025

How COVID mRNA vaccines may make cancer treatments more effective

Researchers found that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, when given within 100 days of starting immune checkpoint inhibitors, were linked to significantly longer survival in lung and melanoma cancer patients. The vaccines trigger a powerful type-I interferon response that primes tumors to become more responsive to immunotherapy.

23 Oct 2025

Machine learning model can accurately predict avian influenza outbreak patterns in Europe

Local factors such as seasonal temperature, the year-dependent water and vegetation index, and data on animal density can be used to predict regional outbreaks of avian flu in Europe.

23 Oct 2025

Despite the hoopla, vaccines should be in reach this cough-and-cold season

For people whose autumn agenda includes getting vaccinated against respiratory diseases — covid, flu, and, for some, RSV — this year may be surprisingly routine.

22 Oct 2025

Report maps vaccination's comprehensive benefits for health and economy

A new Gerontological Society of America report, "Concentric Value of Vaccination: Intersecting Health, Economic, and Societal Benefits," provides evidence on the advantages of immunization for individual and population health, economic outcomes, and societal well-being.

22 Oct 2025

Influenza

Overview

Influenza Symptoms

Influenza Epidemiology

Influenza Research

Feature Articles

Influenza Prognosis

Should I get the Flu Shot?

Influenza Immunization

Influenza Treatments

Influenza Pandemics

Influenza Infection in Animals

Latest Influenza News and Research

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

New epimodulation approach improves outbreak forecasts

A parent's guide to manage pediatric respiratory illnesses during the virus season

How COVID mRNA vaccines may make cancer treatments more effective

Machine learning model can accurately predict avian influenza outbreak patterns in Europe

Despite the hoopla, vaccines should be in reach this cough-and-cold season

Report maps vaccination's comprehensive benefits for health and economy

Innovation in neuroscience drug discovery - eBook eBook

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 Prognosis

Should I get the Flu Shot?

Influenza Immunization

Influenza Treatments

Influenza Pandemics

Influenza Infection in Animals

Latest Influenza News and Research

Innovation in neuroscience drug discovery - eBook eBook

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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