Respiratory Infections

In honor of National Influenza Vaccination Week, the CDC reports on influenza vaccination coverage and the benefits of receiving a flu shot.

The CDC’s NCHS released its mortality report on life expectancy and leading causes of death for adults and infants in 2015.

Researchers discover a simple method for estimating fitness of antiviral-resistant influenza strains using surveillance data.

A new pair of studies take a look at the human immune response to the flu vaccine and explain how the flu components may affect the shot’s effectiveness.

University of Arizona researchers look at important trends related to infectious disease mortality in the United States.

Researchers at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University are the first to develop a computer model that predicts influenza activity down to the local level.

Ten years ago in Geneva, the World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled what is now called the Global Action Plan for Influenza Vaccines (GAP), a comprehensive approach to meeting the demand for vaccines should there be a pandemic anywhere in the world. How is it doing?

Pneumonia is the fourth leading cause of hospitalization among those living with Alzheimer’s disease, and now a new study by University of Eastern Finland researchers examined the link between the infection and certain antidementia drugs.

A team of 75 researchers from 56 institutions have conducted a global study of tuberculosis strains, finding that some may have adapted to specific human populations.

Thomas Frieden, MD, MPH, director of the CDC, and Susan Desmond-Hellmann, MD, chief executive of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation discuss how governments and business organizations should prepare for pandemics, especially a potential influenza pandemic.

An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Saratoga Springs, New York leaves several ill and two dead.

Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in Northern Europe, Russia, and the Middle East are worrying neighboring countries and have led to the culling of tens of thousands of chicken, turkeys, and ducks.

Two cases of meningococcal disease strain B have been confirmed at Oregon State University, urging officials to take preventive measures.

A recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial chickens and ducks in South Korea has health officials in the country on high alert and some poultry farmers taking quarantine measures.

Lake County General Health District confirmed that a contaminated cooling tower in Ohio was the cause of a 4-month-long outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, which resulted in one death.

A recent study shows that a person’s birth year may predict his/her chances of surviving an influenza A virus pandemic.

Recent article discusses how advanced practice registered nurses can help combat pertussis.

Fifteen countries continue to see 72% of all childhood deaths from pneumonia and diarrhea, the two biggest killers of children under five years of age worldwide, says a new global report.

In a new study, researchers from the United Kingdom have found that cystic fibrosis patients are more likely to pick up multi-drug resistant infections in hospitals than was previously believed.

A new study suggests that a homeopathic syrup may be an effective way to rid a child of bothersome cold symptoms.

The scope of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in West Africa, until recently, has not been well-understood, but a new study on eight countries in the region shows that the superbug is more common than previous estimates suggested.

University of California and Stanford University researchers have identified how temperature and humidity work together to affect flu season.

Laura Cooley, MD, MPH, medical epidemiologist, Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Disease, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explains why Legionella is such a challenging pathogen.

Recently, FDA reviewers met to discuss a new drug application submitted by Cempra Pharmaceuticals to treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.

Predicting how long it takes for an infectious disease outbreak to begin may help health officials develop an early warning system, according to the authors of a new study on lag times in epidemics.

Laura Cooley, MD, MPH, medical epidemiologist, Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Disease, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explains the current Legionella situation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 18 cases of new swine flu viruses in Ohio and Michigan state fair attendees, highlighting the need for precaution when handling pigs.

A new study by Public Health England researchers finds that disinfectants used against Klebsiella pneumoniae may be helping the pathogen develop new antibiotic resistance.

A new study from United Kingdom researchers finds that nearly one-quarter of the global population is infected with latent tuberculosis (TB), a finding that exposes the challenges ahead for the World Health Organization’s End TB Strategy.

Rebekah Stewart Schicker, MSN, MPH, APRN, Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explains her recent research on influenza antiviral treatment prescribing practices in 60 outpatient settings across the United States.