Articles tagged with Influenza
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Healthcare professionals are more likely to get vaccinated if they believe the flu jab really works, according to a descriptive meta-analysis of 85,000 healthcare workers. Convenient access and willingness to prevent spread also play significant roles in increasing vaccination rates.
Researchers have developed long-lasting flu vaccines that target more constant proteins with less evolutionary flair, reducing the virus' ability to spread and mutate. These universal vaccines could make a bout with influenza less severe, making it easier to control the virus' spread.
Two new studies published in Annals of Internal Medicine highlight the importance of rapid diagnosis and treatment of flu. Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) are found to be accurate at diagnosing the flu but not ruling it out, requiring follow-up testing.
Researchers are studying specially bred mice to better understand flu outbreaks and develop safer vaccines. The mice's varying immune response to the flu helps identify genetic factors influencing disease severity.
A University of Michigan study found that pairing masks and hand washing can reduce flu-like symptoms by up to 75 percent. The research suggests that these measures should be used together for maximum effectiveness in preventing the spread of illness.
The American Society for Microbiology publishes commentaries on the NSABB's biosecurity recommendations, weighing in on whether details of H5N1 virus experiments should be suppressed. Key experts argue over the balance between public health and scientific freedom.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine tracked Google Flu Trends data and found a strong correlation between rising search queries for flu information and an increase in patients visiting the hospital with flu-like symptoms. The study suggests that using this tool could provide early warning systems for frontline healthcare workers.
University of Pittsburgh researchers propose a new model to design better flu shots, balancing composition and timing decisions. The model considers multiple strains, production methods, and policy questions, aiming to increase the societal benefit of the flu shot.
A new study found that statin use reduced mortality among hospitalized influenza patients by almost twice as much. Researchers are exploring combining statins with antiviral drugs for better treatment.
An observational study found that statin use was associated with a decreased risk of dying among hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza. Researchers also noted the potential benefits of randomized controlled trials to further examine the effectiveness of statins for influenza treatment.
A California hospital raised its employee influenza vaccination rate above 90 percent by implementing a mandatory vaccination policy. The study, published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, found that voluntary programs alone were insufficient to achieve meaningful increases in flu vaccination rates.
Researchers are studying two enzymes to combat the flu virus, which causes 36,000 US deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations annually. The goal is to identify targets for drug therapies that can block the spread of the influenza virus.
A new study estimates that around 90 million children contract seasonal flu each year, causing approximately 1 million hospital admissions and up to 111,500 deaths due to influenza-related pneumonia. The majority of these deaths occur in developing countries.
A research team at NIST has identified the genetic structure of the infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV), which may play a critical role in its reproduction. This discovery could lead to new approaches for interfering with the replication of these viruses, potentially mitigating the effects of ISAV on the aquaculture industry.
The UK Flusurvey, launched by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, will track seasonal flu spread across Britain and compare data with European countries. The online survey aims to detect flu epidemics early and provide insights into vaccine effectiveness.
Scientists have developed a new material made from chitosan that effectively captures influenza viruses before they can infect people. This breakthrough could lead to improved vaccinations and anti-influenza medications.
Researchers used Twitter data to track flu-like illness rates in UK regions and detected emerging epidemics. The study gathered over 50 million geo-located tweets and applied machine learning algorithms to identify keywords associated with elevated flu severity.
A study by Brown University found that nursing home flu shot vaccination rates are lower for black patients compared to white patients. Despite efforts to improve vaccination rates over time, the disparity persists within individual facilities, with black patients refusing shots at a higher rate than whites.
Scientists have discovered a key to predicting emerging diseases like HIV, SARS, and flu by studying how viruses infect different species. By analyzing the relationships between species and viruses, researchers found that closely related flies are more susceptible to certain viruses.
A study found that flu vaccination rates among nursing home healthcare workers significantly reduced flu outbreaks, with a 87% decrease when 51-75% of staff were vaccinated. Higher resident vaccination rates surprisingly correlated with increased outbreak risk, highlighting the importance of vaccinating healthcare personnel.
A new study by Queen's University researchers found that one-third of Canadian adults experience a sore throat, cold or flu each month, with women more likely to self-treat and consult doctors. The study estimated annual economic costs of colds in Canada at $40 billion, highlighting the need for preventative measures.
A recent study used genomics to unravel the immune response to the flu virus, finding significant and complex differences between those who got sick and those who remained asymptomatic. The research may lead to new therapies to prevent illness by detecting early warning signs of infection.
A new study by NIH-funded researchers found that a prime-boost mix of injected or spray flu vaccine provides the broadest immune response in young children. The study also found that nasal spray vaccine stimulates a wide array of immune T cells, which may be important for protection against diverse flu strains.
A newly discovered human antibody recognized multiple strains of the flu virus, providing a promising lead for developing a longer-lasting vaccine. The antibody, dubbed CH65, binds tightly to the receptor pocket on the influenza virus, making it less affected by mutations.
The INFORMS journal has announced a special issue on using logistics and analytics to improve responses to disasters and health crises. The studies featured include pre-positioning of emergency items, optimizing schedules for maritime humanitian cooperative engagements.
Researchers have developed a method to predict whether someone will produce high levels of antibodies against a flu shot, allowing for the rapid development of vaccines and monitoring of suboptimal immune responses in vulnerable populations. The test uses gene activity data to identify predictive signatures with up to 90% accuracy.
A new statistical method predicts the size of seasonal influenza epidemics by analyzing weekly CDC data. The analysis suggests that early circulation of one strain is associated with a reduced incidence of other strains.
A study found that infection with influenza likely increases the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Influenza infection may increase the short-term risk of bacterial invasion in individuals already colonized with Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes IPD. This suggests that some cases of IPD could be attributable to inf...
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital discovered a previously unknown biological pathway explaining why influenza induces asthma attacks. Activation of natural helper cells presents a new set of drug targets for asthma.
The University Health System increased flu vaccinations rates from 59 percent to 77 percent through interventions including vaccine kits, educational conferences and a dashboard to track vaccination rates. The effort led to the hospital surpassing national average for healthcare worker vaccination rates.
Researchers found that exposed children were almost five times more likely to need intensive care and more than 11 times more likely to need intubation. Children's length of stay in the hospital was significantly associated with smoke exposure and chronic conditions.
A study found that flu vaccination in transplant patients lowers risk of organ loss and death. Vaccination is safe and effective, contradicting earlier concerns about its impact on transplanted organs.
Research suggests that combining standard vaccines with interleukin-12 (IL-12) can induce high levels of protection against respiratory pathogens, including influenza virus and pneumococcal bacteria. This method could provide a non-invasive alternative to injections, offering improved protection against flu and other diseases.
Researchers have found that flu virus infection is necessary for pneumococcal bacteria to efficiently spread between individuals. The study has implications for managing influenza pandemics and reducing pneumococcal infections in young children, who are highly susceptible.
Researchers developed a new approach to predict which flu strain will be prevalent in a given year by tracking pairs of genetic changes. This method offers insights into epistasis, where mutations interact with each other to affect the virus's fitness. By analyzing these interactions, scientists can gain early warnings of emerging muta...
Researchers found that implementing policies a few weeks into an outbreak is as effective as starting at the beginning in reducing flu impact. This approach can reduce societal costs and resurgence after intervention lifting.
Researchers used a novel technique to count disease-spreading events in a high school population of 788 volunteers. They found that most people had a fairly high number of person-to-person interactions, but there were no super-spreaders who stood out from the rest.
Researchers at NIAID envision a universal flu vaccine that elicits an unnatural immune response, protecting against multiple flu strains. By targeting a shared region of the flu protein HA, scientists hope to develop a broadly protective vaccine that could replace seasonal vaccines.
Scientists have developed a novel flu vaccine using bacteria, which triggers an immune response without the need for eggs. The study, led by John Treanor, showed that the experimental vaccine worked well in people, with about half of participants responding strongly to just one microgram of the vaccine.
Research from the University of Rochester Medical Center reveals that gaps in seasonal influenza vaccination rates between elderly whites, African-Americans, and Hispanics widen when vaccine supply is delayed or decreased. The study found significant declines in vaccination rates among minority groups during years with shortages.
Dr. Oliver Daumke has won the Bayer Early Excellence in Science Award for his work on G proteins, which play a crucial role in cellular signaling pathways and immune response. His research holds promise for developing new strategies to treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and flu.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that aerosol transmission of influenza may have occurred in a Hong Kong hospital. The authors identified an unbalanced indoor airflow that spread infectious aerosols across the ward, infecting nine patients.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center are using mathematical modeling to study potentially deadly flu viruses and develop new vaccines and therapies. The five-year contract aims to enhance human immune responses and identify areas for investigation into treatments for lethal viruses.
A recent report by the Nutrilite Health Institute found that Americans who don't meet their daily fruit and vegetable recommendations tend to have lower intakes of vitamins A, C, and E, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients are essential for a healthy immune system. The report suggests that incorporating more colorful plant-based foods i...
Scientists from Brigham Young University and Florida State University have made a breakthrough in understanding the flu virus's structure, identifying a potential drug target. By mapping the M2 channel's atomic level details, researchers can now develop new treatments that can defeat the virus regardless of its mutations.
Researchers have mapped the atomic structure of the M2 channel, a key protein in the flu virus. By understanding how protons move through this channel, scientists can develop new drugs to block its reproductive role and combat influenza.
Researchers at Iowa State University and the Ames Laboratory discovered the flu virus uses a shuttle mechanism to relay protons through a channel, necessary for infection. This finding may lead to designing drugs that stop protons from moving through the channel.
A landmark trial will recruit 500 children to test a patented extract of North American ginseng called COLD FX, with 60% expected to develop an infection and be eligible for the study. The trial aims to provide safe and effective treatment options for parents struggling with pediatric cold and flu medicines.
A new study published in Pediatrics suggests that increasing Medicaid reimbursement for administering influenza shots may boost vaccination rates among poor children. The research analyzed state-by-state data and found a strong correlation between flu vaccination rates and Medicaid reimbursement rates.
A 9-country study found that older people who choose not to have the flu vaccine often rely on indigenous health practices, good general health, and hand hygiene instead. Factors such as feeling vulnerable, trust in the vaccine's effectiveness, and cost also play a significant role in vaccination rates among this age group.
Researchers used the friendship paradox to study the 2009 flu epidemic among 744 students, finding that friends of central members were more likely to get sick earlier. This method can predict epidemics before they spread widely, allowing for an earlier and more effective response.
Research using satellite telemetry found that migrating birds have a short 'window' of 5-15 days when they can disperse the H5N1 virus over 500km. Asymptomatic infection is crucial, and individual birds must fly quickly and take shortest routes to spread the disease.
A study found that mass media coverage of flu-related topics significantly increases vaccination rates and prompts people to get their shots earlier. Researchers analyzed data from over 22 million individuals aged 65+ and found a strong correlation between news reports and vaccination rates, with spikes in activity following news stories.
Scientists uncover the flu's secret formula for evolving within host species: balance. The virus replicates with enough mutations to spread but not so many that it leads to its demise.
A study found that pregnant women with flu often experience symptoms like nausea and a rapid heartbeat. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications, according to the UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers.
An analysis of hospitalization records found that seasonal flu tends to peak earliest in western states like Nevada and later in New England states like Maine. The study identified patterns between peak timing and intensity of seasonal flu, enabling healthcare providers to prepare for outbreaks.
A study found that Ontario's universal flu vaccine campaign reduces influenza illness attack rates, morbidity, and mortality at a reasonable cost to taxpayers. The campaign prevented an estimated 34,541 cases, 111 deaths, and $7.8 million in healthcare costs per season.
Research suggests that including both strains of influenza B in the seasonal flu vaccine could improve its effectiveness in preventing the disease. Studies found that vaccines containing only one strain of influenza B were less effective in protecting against the flu, particularly in children.
The Regenstrief Institute is leveraging its Indiana Network for Patient Care to automate the disability case determinations process, reducing time and increasing completeness of medical data. This will facilitate faster decision-making and decrease the burden on healthcare providers.
A study found that rhesus monkey babies born to mothers with flu during pregnancy had smaller brains and brain changes similar to those in human patients with schizophrenia. This suggests a possible increased risk of schizophrenia in human babies whose mothers had the flu while pregnant.