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UrduMasking, physical distancing and other measures employed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic virtually eliminated influenza during the 2020-2021 flu season. But Cedars-Sinai physicians say the flu is headed for a comeback and they urge everyone 6 months and older to get their flu shots.
Tag: Influenza
Flu Season Returns: How to Stay Safe
While social distancing and wearing masks kept last year’s flu season at an all-time low, experts expect flu cases will soar this year as students return to school and employees go back to the office and are urging people to get their flu vaccine to prevent the nation’s health care system from being overwhelmed by influenza and COVID-19.
David Cennimo, an infectious disease expert at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, discusses what you should do to protect yourself during the upcoming flu season.
Vaccines grown in eggs induce antibody response against an egg-associated glycan
Researchers have found that viral vaccines grown in eggs, such as the H1N1 flu vaccine, produce an antibody response against a sugar molecule found in eggs, which could have implications for the effectiveness of these vaccines.
Study Links COVID-19 Public Health Efforts to Dramatic Drop in COPD Hospitalizations
Public health measures designed to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus may have fostered a substantial side benefit: A 53 percent drop in hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), likely due to a drop in circulating seasonal respiratory viruses such as influenza.
Rutgers Engineers Developing Rapid Breathalyzer Test for COVID-19
New Brunswick, N.J. (April 30, 2021) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick engineering professors Edward P. DeMauro, German Drazer, Hao Lin and Mehdi Javanmard are available for interviews on their work to develop a new type of fast-acting COVID-19 sensor that detects the presence…
UGA to establish national NIH-funded center to fight flu
The National Institutes of Health has awarded the University of Georgia a contract to establish the Center for Influenza Disease and Emergence Research (CIDER). The contract will provide $1 million in first-year funding and is expected to be supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of NIH, for seven years and up to approximately $92 million.
Penn Medicine Awarded Nearly $7 Million for First Year of Contract to Study Influenza Viruses
Penn Medicine has been selected as one of five sites across the country to serve as a Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR), with the goal of better understanding influenza viruses around the world along with learning about the viral strains that have the potential to cause pandemics. Penn Medicine has been awarded nearly $7 million in first-year funding.
Flu shot associated with fewer, less severe COVID cases
People who received a flu shot last flu season were significantly less likely to test positive for a COVID-19 infection when the pandemic hit, according to a new study. And those who did test positive for COVID-19 had fewer complications if they received their flu shot.
New research shows substantially higher burden of COVID-19 compared to flu
The team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center demonstrated that COVID-19 cases resulted in significantly more weekly hospitalizations, more use of mechanical ventilation and higher mortality rates than influenza.
Flu vaccination this season likely to be highest ever
More U.S. adults reported receiving or planning to receive an influenza vaccination during the 2020-2021 flu season than ever before, according to findings from a December 2020 national survey.
The Original Antigenic Sin: How Childhood Infections Could Shape Pandemics
A child’s first influenza infection shapes their immunity to future airborne flu viruses – including emerging pandemic strains. But not all flu strains spur the same initial immune defense, according to new findings published today by University of Pittsburgh virologists.
1918 influenza signals warning for potential future pandemic reemergence
As we struggle to vaccinate faster than COVID variants spread, new research from Michigan State University used health data following the initial 1918 influenza spike to provide insights to what “pandemic reemergence” will look like for our future.
Unusual 2019-2020 flu season linked to more transmissible strain
The 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.
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.
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.
Pre-existing influenza immunity impacts antibody quality following seasonal infection and vaccination
New research by scientists at the University of Chicago suggests a person’s antibody response to influenza viruses is dramatically shaped by their pre-existing immunity, and that the quality of this response differs in individuals who are vaccinated or naturally infected. Their results highlight the importance of receiving the annual flu vaccine to induce the most protective immune response.
UNLV Immunologist on the Differences Between Two Leading COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates
Millions around the world have waited for news about a COVID-19 vaccine, regarding it as the beginning of the end for the global pandemic and a herald for the eventual return to “normal life.” Recent announcements from pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna that their respective late-stage vaccine trials have shown a 90% or better effectiveness rate have received international applause, excitement furthered with estimates that doses could be ready as early as December.
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.
Surgeon General expects COVID-19 vaccine to be available by year’s end
In a wide-ranging talk with UCLA Health physicians, Wednesday, Oct. 28, United States Surgeon General Jerome Adams, MD, MPH, addressed the politicization of the pandemic and the means of containing the spread of COVID-19. He also offered hope that a vaccine for the virus will be available by year’s end.
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.
Battling Flu During the Pandemic
A Rutgers infectious disease expert explains why the flu vaccination is more important than ever this year
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…
Antibodies protect against wide range of influenza B virus strains
Researchers have identified two antibodies that protect mice against lethal infections of influenza B virus, report scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Together with an antibody that targets the other major kind of influenza viruses that infect people — influenza A — these antibodies potentially could form the basis of a broad-spectrum flu drug that could treat almost all flu cases.
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.
New vaccine strategy harnesses ‘foot soldier’ T-cells to provide protection against influenza
As Americans begin pulling up their sleeves for an annual flu vaccine, researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have provided new insights into an alternative vaccine approach that provides broader protection against seasonal influenza.
How Will COVID-19 Affect Flu Season?
With flu season fast approaching, health officials are urging the public to help contain the spread of influenza and avoid another outbreak amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The two viruses are very similar, and it’s going to make this flu season very challenging.
MEDIA ADVISORY- Back to School, Cold & Flu Season and COVID-19 – What do you do if you get sick?
Mount Sinai experts say get your flu shot early and have a plan for point-of-care
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.
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.
Homeless people are more likely to be put on ventilators for respiratory infections than non-homeless
Researchers from UCLA, Harvard Medical School and the University of Tokyo found that during a recent six-year period, homeless people in New York state were more likely to hospitalized and treated with mechanical ventilators for respiratory infections than people who are not homeless. These findings have implications for the COVID-19 pandemic.
To Better Understand COVID-19, Researchers Review Aging, Immune Response to Viral Infections
As clinicians learn about a new disease in real-time, researchers are also investigating what lessons from other respiratory infections could apply to COVID-19.
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.
UNLV Vaccination Expert Explores How Vaccine Refusal Might Change in Light of COVID-19
As governors across America begin to unveil and deploy plans to reopen their respective states, at the center of the debate a question has emerged: how soon is too soon? Some states, including Nevada and neighboring California, are taking a…
UW–Madison, FluGen, Bharat Biotech to develop CoroFlu, a coronavirus vaccine
An international collaboration of virologists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the vaccine companies FluGen and Bharat Biotech has begun the development and testing of a unique vaccine against COVID-19 called CoroFlu.
Panicky Responses to the Coronavirus are Dangerous—Here’s Why
Fear of the virus may spread faster than the virus itself, a potential threat to health, liberty, trade, and the economy.
Coronavirus – study finds methods for preventing global disease spread through airports
As coronavirus spreads across the globe via infected air travelers, authorities are looking for ways to contain the outbreak and avoid a pandemic. This study, published in Risk Analysis, analyzes the impact of implementing disease mitigation strategies at airports across the globe. The study finds that increasing traveler engagement with proper hand-hygiene at all airports has the potential to reduce the risk of a potential pandemic by 24-69 percent. The researchers also identify ten critical airports, central to the air-transportation network. If hand-washing mitigation strategies are implemented in just these ten locations, the pandemic risk can drop by up to 37 percent.
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.
Gauging the threat posed by the coronavirus
Wearing a surgical mask is unlikely to protect healthy people from the novel coronavirus that originated in China, and influenza likely poses a much greater threat to Americans, according to José Cordero, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health.
Full influenza vaccination among children cuts hospitalization in half
Fully vaccinating children reduces the risk of hospitalization associated with influenza by 54%, according to a study by researchers at the University of Michigan, the Clalit Research Institute, and Ben-Gurion University in Israel.
Antiviral Compound Offers Hope Against Deadly Flu, Coronaviruses
A study in mice finds that a compound modeled on a protein found in bananas safely protects against multiple strains of the influenza virus, Ebola and coronaviruses.
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.
Flu Preparedness Hearing Opens Opportunities for Vaccine, AMR Action
Today’s subcommittee hearing on U.S. preparedness and responses for the 2019-2020 flu season offers an important opportunity to examine and act on gaps and challenges exacerbating the public health threats of seasonal influenza outbreaks.
Predictive Science, Inc. Releases Influenza Predictions
San Diego-based Predictive Science, Inc. this week released their first forecast for the 2019-2020 influenza season, which typically runs from November through March.
Flu antibody protects against numerous and wide-ranging strains
A human antibody that protects mice against a wide range of lethal flu viruses could be the key to a universal vaccine and better treatments for severe flu disease, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and Scripps Research in La Jolla, Calif.
Journal Articles Explore Fatal Consequences of Immigrant Detention Policies, Conditions
An analysis and related commentary published in Clinical Infectious Diseases today provide in-depth examination of the deplorable and dangerous conditions in U.S. immigrant detention centers where seven children have died in the last 10 months. Together, the articles underscore an urgent imperative repeatedly cited by ours, and other societies of medical professionals, to investigate and remedy violations of human rights and the most basic standards of public health, infection control and medical practice that have been demonstrated in these facilities.
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.