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UrduThe 2019-2020 flu season in the U.S. was unusual in a number of ways. Cases picked up in August rather than the more typical fall and early winter months, and it hit children particularly hard.
Tag: flu
Houston Methodist expert notes COVID-19 precautions lead to historic drop in flu cases
A silver lining is emerging amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Influenza numbers are way down – 98 percent down, according to the CDC. Locally, during flu season last year, Houston Methodist’s system of eight hospitals saw 250 to 450 flu cases per week. This year the hospital system has seen only 2 to 5 flu cases per week so far. The numbers tell a striking story. Handwashing, masking and social distancing work.
The Medical Minute: Flu cases down, but keep your guard up
Flu cases are down this year, mostly because all the COVID-19 precautions like hand-washing and social distancing. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay vigilant. In fact, it might be more important now than ever.
Hospital worker flu shots could mean fewer deaths
Research from the University of Georgia shows that state laws promoting flu vaccinations for hospital workers can substantially reduce the number of influenza-related deaths.
Story Tips from Johns Hopkins Experts on COVID-19
Typically, the winter months bring the peak of flu season. As cases of COVID-19 have soared in the U.S. over the past few weeks, however, cases of the flu have remained extremely low.
A smart ring shows it’s possible to detect fever before you feel it
Advance could pave the way for early warning system on COVID-19 and flu using wearables
Testing Wastewater for COVID-19
UNLV researcher Edwin Oh and colleagues have implemented wastewater surveillance programs to screen samples for the presence of COVID-19 and to extract the RNA from the SARS-COV-2 virus to find targets that make vaccines more effective.
E-cigarette Users at Greater Risk of Poor Immune Response to Viruses
In a controlled study, scientists found that smokers and e-cigarette users exhibited significantly altered immune responses to a model of influenza virus infection, suggesting increased susceptibility to disease, including COVID-19
Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss Risk Perception in COVID-19 Era
New Brunswick, N.J. (Oct. 26, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick Professor William Hallman is available for interviews on the science of risk perception and its practical implications in the COVID-19 era – a time of fear and anxiety among millions of…
How to stay safe from flu during the COVID-19 pandemic
University of Chicago Medicine infectious diseases expert Dr. Allison Bartlett explains what to know to stay safe this winter from both influenza and COVID-19.
Preventing a “Twindemic” – Public Health Advice to Navigating COVID-19 and Flu Season
With flu season approaching, medical and public health professionals across the country are bracing for the potential of continued issues with COVID-19 overlapping with a flu outbreak to create what some are calling a “twindemic.” While flu activity is low…
Stopping lethal lung damage from the flu with a natural human protein
The raging lung inflammation that can contribute to death from the flu can be stopped in its tracks by a drug derived from a naturally occurring human protein, a new animal study suggests.
Battling Flu During the Pandemic
A Rutgers infectious disease expert explains why the flu vaccination is more important than ever this year
COVID vs. Flu vs. Common Cold: What You Need to Know
With cold and flu season underway, plus the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease specialist Jeffrey Bender, MD, shares how to tell the difference between the three illnesses, and the most important thing parents can do to keep children safe.
Why Getting a Flu Shot This Year is Critical
No one knows what will happen when flu season arrives, compounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but one thing is certain: It’s time to get your flu shot The looming flu season poses the prospect of a “twindemic,” with the diseases…
Flu Season Returns As The COVID-19 Pandemic Continues
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues with no end in sight, the annual flu season emerges once again. Cases of the flu have already begun to surface around the nation, and there are some reports of co-infection with COVID-19. Johns Hopkins Medicine experts say now is the time to take action to fight against the flu. Doctors recommend that everyone age 6 months and older get the flu vaccine each year to prevent infection from the virus or reduce the severity of the illness.
Flu Season Meets the COVID-19 Pandemic: Johns Hopkins Medicine Experts Available
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the world in sometimes devastating and unexpected ways, a more well-known illness — the flu — will make its annual debut in the coming weeks. Flu activity tends to increase in October and can run as late as May. It’s too soon to tell how flu season will definitively affect the current pandemic. However, Johns Hopkins Medicine experts say prevention will be key in reducing the spread of both illnesses, including getting an annual flu vaccine, washing hands, wearing a face mask or covering, and maintaining proper physical distancing.
The Medical Minute: What to expect when COVID-19 meets flu season
The combining of the COVID-19 pandemic and seasonal flu could make this the best influenza season ever or the worst. Our experts explain why in this week’s Medical Minute.
Study confirms link between influenza, heart complications
The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, underscore need to get a flu shot early, the lead researcher says.
Study Uncovers Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Flu Vaccination Rates among U.S. Dialysis Facilities
• Among US patients undergoing dialysis, those visiting dialysis facilities with higher proportions of minorities are less likely to be vaccinated against influenza, and the disparity seems to be increasing.
Flu vaccine may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease, new study shows
People who received at least one flu vaccination were 17% less likely to get Alzheimer’s disease over the course of a lifetime, according to researchers at UTHealth.
Single-Dose Flu Drug Reduces Spread Within Households
Only 1.9% of uninfected household contacts who took a single dose of baloxavir marboxil came down with the flu.
FAST-SPREADING MUTATION HELPS COMMON FLU SUBTYPE ESCAPE IMMUNE RESPONSE
Strains of a common subtype of influenza virus, H3N2, have almost universally acquired a mutation that effectively blocks antibodies from binding to a key viral protein, according to a study from researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Epidemiologist can comment on new, potentially dangerous strain of flu
Dr. Jennifer Horney, one of the leading experts during the COVID-19 pandemic, can discuss the new strain of flu (“G4 EA H1N1”) carried by pigs in China that has the potential to become a pandemic. Dr. Horney was a member of…
Scientists Aim Gene-Targeting Breakthrough Against COVID-19
Scientists at Berkeley Lab and Stanford have joined forces to aim a gene-targeting, antiviral agent called PAC-MAN against COVID-19.
COVID-19 Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins
Vaccine expert working on developing covid-19 vaccine, sees major differences between Covid-19 and SARS
U.S. Workers Need Paid Sick Leave to Help Stop the Spread of Coronavirus
One-third of Americans do not have access to paid sick leave. Only the U.S. and Japan do not mandate a national sick leave benefit. Currently, seven states in the U.S. mandate that employers provide paid sick leave benefits. Given the latest information from the U.S. CDC regarding the potential impact that the coronavirus could have on the nation, researchers urge that it is critical to consider the role paid sick leave has in stopping the spread of a contagious virus.
FSU expert available to comment on effectiveness of flu vaccine
By: Bill Wellock | Published: February 14, 2020 | 3:35 pm | SHARE: As an outbreak of a new coronavirus makes headlines across the world, another more common infectious disease is spreading across the United States and beyond — the flu.About 8 percent of the U.S. population gets sick from the flu each season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New pathogenic mechanism for influenza NS1 protein found
Researchers report the biological effects of influenza protein NS1 binding to RIG-I — the binding directly quiets the alarm that activates the cellular innate immunity defense against the infection. This is a newly described way for flu to antagonize the host cellular antiviral response.
New Tool Monitors Real Time Mutations In Flu
A Rutgers-led team has developed a tool to monitor influenza A virus mutations in real time, which could help virologists learn how to stop viruses from replicating. The gold nanoparticle-based probe measures viral RNA in live influenza A cells, according to a study in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. It is the first time in virology that experts have used imaging tools with gold nanoparticles to monitor mutations in influenza, with unparalleled sensitivity.
Expert Comments on Gallup Survey Results: Fewer in U.S. Continue to See Vaccines as Important
According to a new Gallup survey, 84 percent in the United States say vaccinating children is important, down from 94 percent in 2001. Dr. Sharon Nachman, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital is available to discuss the…
Flu Is on the Rise: How to Protect Yourself
A Rutgers infectious disease expert explains this year’s flu outbreak and how you can stay healthy
Everything You Need to Know About the Flu
Sharon Wright,MD, MPH, BIDMC’s Senior Medical Director of Infection Control/Hospital Epidemiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center shares everything you need to know about the flu.
Vanderbilt Doctors Discuss When to Visit Emergency Departments for Cold and Flu Symptoms
While it can be difficult to decipher symptoms, Michele Walsh, MD, assistant professor of Pediatrics and medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital, offers tips on when it is best to bring a child to an emergency department (ED) versus making a call or visit to the family pediatrician.
Early and unusual flu season a risk for persons who vape, have chronic disease, more
Houston Methodist has medical experts available to discuss the below topics and trends related to flu season. This flu season is off to an early and unusual start A high number of flu cases this season are being caused by…
Building a better flu shot
Each year millions of Americans become sick with the flu, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized and tens of thousands die. Getting the flu shot can reduce the chances of infection. But, at best, the vaccine is only effective 40% to 60% of the time, according to the CDC. Now Michigan State University researchers have data that show how cellular RNA levels change following infection or vaccination.
4 Essentials for Winter Health and Safety
Weather conditions and cold and flu viruses can make it more difficult for you to stay healthy and safe during winter months.
Mount Sinai Researchers Bring Us One Step Closer to Universal Influenza Vaccine
A team led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is getting closer to a universal flu vaccine using a novel approach they’ve developed called chimeric hemagglutinin (cHA).
How to keep flu germs from spreading in your home
You cannot really germ-proof your home, but you can clean and disinfect things to improve your chances of preventing the flu.
Do I Need to Be Tested for the Flu?
Barbara Masser, MD, Medical Director of Ambulatory Emergency Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, shares some insight on whether or not you may need a flu test.
Flu Season Returns: Protect Yourself Now
Cases of the flu are already on the rise around the nation as flu season begins. Johns Hopkins Medicine experts say now is the time to fight against the flu as the number of people getting sick from the potentially life-threatening virus will increase in the coming months. Doctors recommend everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine each year to prevent the virus or reduce the seriousness if you do get sick.
Teen Advocate Ethan Lindenberger Joins UnityTM Consortium to Appeal to Teens and Parents to Get Vaccinated
The Unity Consortium is thrilled to welcome newest member, Ethan Lindenberger, a 19-year old American activist known for his opposition to vaccine misinformation efforts.
Online Patient Portal Usage Linked to Higher Rates of Flu Shots, Blood Pressure Checks
Penn Medicine study shows patients who use online platforms connected to their health records are more likely to take preventative health measures.
Experts: Now is the time to get vaccinated for the flu
Get your flu shot now, especially if you’re healthy. Dr. John Lynch, medical director of infection control at Harborview Medical Center, explains the idea of “herd immunity.”
“The more people who get vaccinated, the more of a shield there is against the virus from getting into the community,’ he says.
Flu season is here. Epidemiologist can discuss symptoms, risk factors for transmission, reasons for getting a flu shot
Amanda Simanek can also talk about new recommendations for children to receive two doses of this year’s vaccine.
Flu Experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine
As the 2019–20 flu season gets underway, Johns Hopkins Medicine experts will be available throughout the season to talk with your newsroom about the epidemiology of this year’s virus, as well as provide important information about this year’s vaccine. Flu cases have already begun to appear in the U.S. Flu activity tends to increase in October and can run as late as May.
What you need to know about sinus infections
As the fall months approach, the potential for seasonal allergies, runny noses and sinus infections increases.
Foods to avoid when you have the flu
Kasey Vavrek, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explains the worst and best foods when you have the flu.