Influenza News
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Virologists are edging closer to developing a universal flu vaccine, based on an antibody that attaches to a protein. Given that flu viruses require this protein to reproduce in the body, this could provide the basis for a ‘universal’ vaccine.
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Besides their soulful eyes, long, graceful necks and beautiful coats, llamas have another feature that is far less appreciated. Llamas make an array of immune system antibodies so tiny, they can fit into the crevices on the surface of invading viruses.
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A universal flu vaccine would address the challenges around selecting the most appropriate vaccine for the flu season, and for challenging viral mutations. A new step has been achieved in terms of developing such a vaccine.
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Atlanta -
Scientists have developed a novel universal vaccine to combat influenza A viruses. The new vaccine aims to produce long-lasting immunity. The results to date are based on studies undertaken using an animal model.
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More serious cases of influenza require patients to be administered intravenous drips. In the U.S. there’s currently a shortage of IV bags, which is hampering efforts to deal with ill patients during the winter months.
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Memphis -
The official start of flu season 2017 has arrived with some cases of flu already reported. Dr. Richard Webby is responsible for determining which flu vaccines will be put into circulation. He spoke with Digital Journal about this process.
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Boston -
A new type of wearable thermometer allows researchers to gather data to make predictions of seasonal influenza outbreaks. The device sends data to the Thermia online health educational tool.
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Thinking about the flu season but worried about the painful injection? If you're needle-phobic then something much easier is on the horizon: a skin patch to administer the vaccine.
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What if there was a device that could rapidly establish whether a person has influenza? This could enable the correct medical advice to be given. This will soon be possible thanks to a new breathalyzer.
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Edinburgh -
Avian flu remains an ever-present risk. According to new research, monitoring the migration routes of wild birds should give an early warning of potential bird flu outbreaks.
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A virus, relatively newly detected, that affects cattle has been given a new name: influenza D. The reason for the new naming is because of the virus is distinct from other influenza types — A, B and C.
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Lincoln -
Combating the risks associated with bird flu is of global importance. While some research focuses on treatment, and other parts on addressing transmission, another strand looks at patterns of susceptibility.
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To help with flu symptoms, some medical doctors recommend patients take acetaminophen, or paracetamol, to relieve their symptoms. A study shows no benefits from taking the drug.
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London -
U.K. experts have urged that new trials be conducted to see if the anti-flu drug Tamiflu can really help save lives in a pandemic. Use of the drug, and its relative cost, have proved controversial in the past.
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There are several ideas as to why flu spreads easier with some people than others. In an unexpected twist, researchers have found that a soft palate is an important site for shaping of airborne transmissibility.
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London -
The flu jab given out last winter in the U.K. was effective in only 34 percent of cases, according to a final report by Public Health England.
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Researchers have published successful data on their quest to develop a 'universal' flu vaccine. Trials relating to animal studies have recently been reported.
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The risk from bird flu to the global human population could be catastrophic, unless preventative measures are taken. This is according to a leading virologist.
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Scientists could have finally found a universal cure for all types of influenza. Instead of the often, ineffective annual jabs, they may soon be able to produce a one-off, lifelong injection against all strains of this distressing and often fatal disease.
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A newly discovered retrovirus embedded in the human genome may help protect embryos from other viruses, and influence fetal development.
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The pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses are still moving, and perhaps evolving, through North American wild birds. How widespread the rate of infection in chickens will become is the subject of new research.
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An update on avian flu: China has reported new H7N9 bird flu infections in humans and across the globe, other strains have been detected in U.S. commercial turkey farms.
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If the next pandemic is inevitable, and if entire categories of cancer are known to originate from infections, should society not be investing more money more urgently into viral research - or are we comfortable relying on vaccinations?
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Bird flu appears to be on the rise across North America. Farmers detect H5N8 in a commercial turkey flock in California, while Canadian officials document the first known human importation of H7N9 to the country.
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The somewhat controversial antiviral drug Tamiflu has performed better in a recent study compared to previous inquiries.
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Wrap up warm or you’ll catch a cold is a common saying. There may be an element of truth to this for the cold causing virus is more virulent in cold temperatures when compared with warmer ones.
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Beijing -
Scientists have demonstrated how changes in a flu virus common to Chinese poultry farms triggered the rise of the novel avian H7N9 influenza A virus that has sickened hundreds of people since 2013.
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Fairfield -
Increasing flu activity in the San Francisco Bay Area has prompted health officials in Solano County to remind residents that there's still time to get vaccinated against current strains of the virus.
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Throughout the U.K., flu is circulating at its highest level for three years. The predominant type of flu virus - H3N2 - is a significantly different variant from the viral strain seen in high numbers last winter.
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It has been discovered that ferrets share a mutation that was once considered unique to humans. The mutation explains why ferrets have the same susceptibility as people to the influenza A virus.
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Influenza Image
Family Freedom Health Network
A closer look at three of our children in bed with the flu, looking suitably miserable. Thomas Mueller, Feb. 29, 2008 thomaspetermueller
Colorized transmission electron micrograph of Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses Cynthia Goldsmith
An intricate pattern - a molecular model of the influenza virus. The influenza virion (as the infectious particle is called) is roughly spherical. It is an enveloped virus – that is, the outer layer is a lipid membrane which is taken from the host cell in which the virus multiplies.
Vaccine Indiana Public Media
Speculation is swirling around the drug Tamiflu and whether it truly works to fight influenza hongiiv
A view through Lush's shop window in town (Southampton). This would be nice to find under my xmas tree - might be a bit pongy though. (Thoughts of Angie Muldowney) Angie Muldowney
DRACO successfully treats viral infections. The microscope images show that in the left set of four photos, rhinovirus (the common cold virus) kills untreated human cells (lower left), whereas DRACO has no toxicity in uninfected cells (upper right) and cures an infected cell population (lower right). In the right set of four photos, dengue hemorrhagic fever virus kills untreated monkey cells (lower left), whereas DRACO has no toxicity in uninfected cells (upper right) and cures an infected cell Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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