influenza

Milestone influenza publication by Elsevier journal Vaccine

harminka — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:45:22 -0500

Last month during an influenza conference organized by the European Scientific Working Group on influenza (ESWI), the Elsevier journal Vaccine released a supplement dedicated to influenza vaccines. This publication provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art overview on influenza vaccines and was supported by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA).

Protective RNA Used to Develop New Antiviral Against Influenza

harminka — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 05:49:12 -0500

Researchers from the University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom have developed a new antiviral using naturally occurring influenza virus "protecting virus" that may defend against any influenza A virus in any animal host. They report their findings in the September 2008 issue of the Journal of Virology.

Lung inflammation from influenza could be turned off with new discovery

harminka — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:23:06 -0500

A new discovery could lead to treatments which turn off the inflammation in the lungs caused by influenza and other infections, according to a study published today in the journal Nature Immunology.

Mobilizing white blood cells to the lung:

harminka — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:13:47 -0500

Findings just published in the scientific journal Immunity by researchers at the Trudeau Institute shed new light on how a previously-unknown messaging mechanism within the human immune system prompts specific influenza-fighting cells to the lung airways during an infection.

Political borders, health-care issues complicate pandemic planning

harminka — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:03:48 -0500

Panic, staffing issues and geographic boundaries are some of the challenges that public health experts need to address as they plan for a possible influenza pandemic, according to a new report from Purdue University.

Quick responses to influenza outbreaks reduces illness and death

harminka — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:16:47 -0500

Influenza outbreaks were shorter and resulted in fewer cases and fewer deaths at long-term care facilities that started residents on preventive antiviral medications within five days of the first case, compared to those that started later, according to a new study in the July 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, currently available online.

Flu pandemic medical help left in the waiting room

harminka — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:05:29 -0500

GPs are not an integral part of Australian influenza planning, despite the important role they will play in limiting deaths in the event of a pandemic hitting the country, according to research from The Australian National University.

Tracking influenza's every movement

harminka — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:24:58 -0500

It’s the case of the missing flu virus. When the flu isn’t making people sick, it seems to just vanish. Yet, every year, everywhere on Earth, it reappears in the appropriate season and starts its attack. So where does it go when it disappears? Does it hibernate, lying dormant in a few people and preparing for its next onslaught? Does it bounce around from the Northern hemisphere to the Southern hemisphere and back, following the seasons?

Getting wise to the influenza virus' tricks

harminka — Mon, 05 May 2008 04:59:55 -0500

Influenza is currently a grave concern for governments and health organisations around the world. The worry is the potential for highly virulent bird flu strains, such as H5N1, to develop the ability to infect humans easily.

Young children hospitalized for flu associated with higher costs

harminka — Mon, 05 May 2008 04:53:37 -0500

The high costs of hospitalizing young children for influenza creates a significant economic burden in the United States, underscoring the importance of preventive flu shots for children and the people with whom they have regular contact, according to research led by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and presented May 4 at the Pediatric Academic Society annual meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Flu tracked to viral reservoir in tropics

harminka — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:13:29 -0500

Each winter, strains of influenza A virus infect North Americans, causing an average of 36,000 deaths. Now, researchers say the virus comes from a viral reservoir somewhere in the tropics, settling a key debate on the source of each season's infection.

Flu viruses take one-way ticket out of Asia, then travel world

harminka — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:48:07 -0500

Seasonal influenza strains constantly evolve in overlapping epidemics in Asia and sweep the rest of the world each year, an international research team has found.