Respiratory Infections

Despite competing national crises drawing attention elsewhere, experts warn that the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in birds, cattle, and humans in the United States highlights critical gaps in surveillance, worker protections, and pandemic preparedness that must be addressed to prevent a future pandemic.

Shionogi's XOCOVA (ensitrelvir) is now available in the United States as the first oral option to help prevent COVID-19 after exposure, following phase 3 SCORPIO-PEP trial data showing a 67% reduction in symptomatic infection risk.

A study in the American Journal of Physiology identifies retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) neurons as a critical and preserved circuit for counteracting opioid-induced respiratory depression, with optogenetic and chemogenetic stimulation of RTN neurons restoring breathing even during fentanyl administration.

The US has confirmed more measles cases in 2026 than in any year since 1991, with CDC and Johns Hopkins trackers both surpassing 2025's full-year total 5 months before year's end.

The FDA has approved an expanded indication for Merck's Capvaxive, allowing its use in children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years with chronic medical conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease following completion of a primary pneumococcal vaccination series.

The FDA has approved the first generic version of baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), expanding access to a single-dose oral treatment and postexposure prophylaxis option for influenza in patients 5 years or older.

Invivyd has dosed the first participants in LIBERTY, a phase 3 trial comparing VYD2311 to an mRNA COVID vaccine and coadministration, as the BLA-enabling DECLARATION trial completes enrollment.

New phase 3 data from the SCORPIO-PEP study showed that a 5-day course of ensitrelvir significantly reduced the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 after household exposure, highlighting its potential to transform prevention strategies for high-risk populations and future variant-driven surges.

Real-world data suggest that 3 to 4 days of antibiotics can be as effective as 5 or more days in treating community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized patients.

Results from a large population-based study found that receiving influenza and pertussis vaccines on the same day during pregnancy does not increase the risk of adverse maternal, birth, or neonatal outcomes compared with pertussis vaccination alone.

Study ascertains vaccination status of children hospitalized for Bordetella pertussis infections and assesses diagnostic value of testing modalities.

Study examines how clinicians consider rapid pneumonia panel test results in prescribing antibiotics in the ICU.

Investigators identified behavioral determinants of being tested for pathogen exposure, in interviewing a focus group presented with a hypothetical avian influenza outbreak.

Increased rapid antigen diagnostic testing for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in pediatric outpatients was associated with fewer antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract infections.

In 2018, the FDA approved omadacycline as a new oral/intravenous third generation tetracycline to treat Community Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) and Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI). Here is a clinical overview of omadacycline as well as recent phase 2 clinical trial results favoring oral omadacycline as an oral treatment option for Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease.

Despite increased risk for severe outcomes, most older adults and those with comorbidities do not receive antiviral treatment for COVID-19.

New phase 3 data show that Merck’s clesrovimab (Enflonsia) maintained a favorable safety profile and supportive pharmacokinetics in high-risk children under 2 years of age during a second RSV season. The company plans to file for expanded regulatory approval.

Risk of a cardiac event was higher in older patients hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection than has been reported for influenza.

An impending deadline is coming up in early 2026 that could cause the country to lose its status. However, this can be reversible and unnecessary infections, severe disease, and deaths can be avoided. Rodney Rohde, PhD, talks about incidence rates, how we got here, and strategies to increase immunizations.

This is the first human ever known to be infected with the H5N5 strain. The infected patient was from Washington state, and was undergoing treatment for H5N5 (avian influenza) when the individual died last week.

The 2025 World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report finds progress in prevention, diagnosis, and care—but falling short of targets and curtailed by funding cuts.

Large international study reports higher A-strain protection and acceptable safety profile for quadrivalent RNA influenza vaccine.

Infectious disease specialists conducted a review of vaccine safety and effectiveness independent of the ACIP to inform vaccinating against COVID-19, RSV, and influenza during this ongoing respiratory virus season.

This form of prophylaxis showed 79% overall effectiveness across 3 European countries.

RSV vaccines protected older adults against RSV-related hospitalization over 2 seasons, although with less effectiveness for those with immunocompromise or cardiovascular disease.