Influenza

H3N2, a particularly virulent strain of influenza, blew through Australia. Is it coming to the United States this fall and winter?

Using a unique approach of targeting the stalk of the hemagglutinin, investigators are taking steps toward developing a universal influenza vaccine candidate.

Angela Campbell, MD, MPH, details a study on influenza vaccine effectiveness in children with respiratory illness.

The approval marks the first and only antiviral medicine indicated specifically for patients at high risk of developing serious complications from the flu.

Millions of women and infants remain vulnerable to influenza and pertussis despite recommendations for vaccinations in pregnancy, according to a CDC report.

Helen Chu, MD, MPH, discussed the "Seattle Flu Study" with Contagion at IDWeek 2019.

The NFID released data revealing that only 52% of adults in the United States plan to get vaccinated against the flu this season.

A National Influenza Vaccine Task Force has been established, which will develop a 5-year plan to promote new vaccine manufacturing technology and to accelerate the development of a universal flu vaccine.

“We want the readers to know that there is room for improvement in current hand hygiene regimen,” the study authors said.

A nationwide cohort study in Denmark examined hypertensive populations and the protective effects awarded by the influenza vaccination.

Infection with pertussis or influenza can be serious, and in some cases deadly, in newborn babies, therefore it is critical for pregnant women to receive the Tdap and influenza vaccines.

A NIAID-sponsored study found that most participants who received a 5-day course of broad-spectrum antibiotics prior to a season flu shot had reduced levels of gut bacteria.

A new study delves into the debate of N95 respirators versus surgical masks for seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

A total of 130 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported during the 2018-19 flu season.

The MINISTONE-2 study enrolled pediatric patients and the BLOCKSTONE study looked at preventive treatment for individuals living with someone with an influenza infection.

Investigators with Seqirus presented findings from a handful of studies on a MF59 adjuvanted influenza vaccine at the Options for the Control of Influenza (OPTIONS X) Conference in Singapore.

The crux of new information centers around the vaccine virus composition for the 2019-2020 season, and recent labeling changes for previously licensed vaccines.

Three children in US Customs and Border Protection custody have died since December 2018, partially due to influenza. Now, the infectious disease community is rallying for vaccination for migrants in detention facilities.

The NIH-funded study will evaluate experimental adjuvants AF03 and Advax-CpG55.2 over an 18-month study period.

Leslie Tari, PhD, discusses the treatment and prevention of influenza.

In the wake of prior findings that influenza A viruses exhibited reduced susceptibility to single-dose baloxavir, a new study indicates that the antiviral medication inhibits all 4 types of flu, including viruses with pandemic potential.

A recent 3-part series details the inevitability of another global influenza pandemic and how better surveillance and new vaccines may protect us in time for the next pandemic.

As injectable influenza vaccine doses from the 2018-19 season are set to expire on June 30, 2019, CDC investigators detail 192 cases of expired vaccine administration over the last year.

The 2018-19 US flu season lasted 21 weeks, marking the longest season in a decade.

According to a press release issued by the manufacturer, the products are the therapeutic equivalent to Genentech’s Tamiflu capsules.

Health officials point to substantial progress in flu surveillance, treatment, and prevention; however, the global population remains vulnerable to new emerging viruses.

What happens when you get a virologist and a military historian together? New insight into an old pandemic.

A research team led by Yale University scientists report that breathing dry air lowers defenses against influenza virus infection.

Long-term care facilities could reduce hospitalizations for pneumonia and influenza by hiring more registered nurses and licensed independent practitioners, increasing staffing hours, and employing higher quality care practices.

Investigators hope to pinpoint the underlying factors of immune responses against influenza in children to help with the development of more effective influenza vaccines.