Is a new flu pandemic just three mutations away?
Conclusion
This laboratory study analysed an H7N9 strain of bird flu. Researchers wanted to explore whether a particular change to the surface proteins of a virus was capable of allowing the strain to bind to human tissue. This would theoretically lead to human-to-human transmission of the flu virus.
It is worth noting that this ability to attach to human cells does not necessarily mean a mutated bird flu virus will be able to infect, replicate and transmit between humans. Other changes would also be required.
However, they were unable to further investigate whether this surface change could lead to human-to-human transmis...
Source: NHS News Feed - June 16, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Heart/lungs Medical practice Source Type: news
WATCH: What is the dog flu?
H3N2 is a highly contagious virus that's been in the U.S. since 2015. (Source: ABC News: Health)
Source: ABC News: Health - June 1, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Lifestyle Source Type: news
Pandemic Alert: How Lessons From China Can Help Us Rethink Urgent Health Threats
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=Related... + articlesList=5919b373e4b0bd90f8e6a746,58e7ca87e4b06f8c18beeb55,58b9d3fde4b05cf0f4008d49 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. (Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post)
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - May 18, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Frog slime could protect us against future flu epidemic
Conclusion
This study has identified a substance in the mucus secreted by a south Indian frog which can kill certain types of flu virus.
Researchers often turn to natural substances with known health-giving properties to find potential new drugs for humans. For example, aspirin was developed based on a compound found in willow bark – which had been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years.
Some other drugs – such as some chemotherapy and anticlotting drugs – have also been developed from chemicals found in plants.
By isolating the substances that have an effect the researchers can make sure they are pure a...
Source: NHS News Feed - April 19, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Heart/lungs Medication Medical practice Source Type: news
Flu hit middle-aged people hardest during this flu season
As flu season winds down, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report the H3N2 virus was most prevalent and middle-aged people were hardest hit. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)
Source: Health News - UPI.com - April 14, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Flu Season All But Over in U.S.
FRIDAY, April 14, 2017 -- This year ' s flu season is rapidly winding down and is expected to end within the next couple of weeks, U.S. health officials predicted Friday.
It was a year much like the past few flu seasons, when the H3N2 virus was the... (Source: Drugs.com - Daily MedNews)
Source: Drugs.com - Daily MedNews - April 14, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Source Type: news
Infectious Diseases A-Z: Preparing for the next flu season
The current influenza?season, dominated by the A H3N2 virus, continues to be active, though it's on the downswing across the nation, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data collected by the CDC show this season's influenza vaccine?is 48 percent effective in preventing influenza. Dr. Pritish Tosh, an infectious diseases specialist at Mayo [...] (Source: News from Mayo Clinic)
Source: News from Mayo Clinic - March 20, 2017 Category: Databases & Libraries Source Type: news
In a bad flu season, high-dose flu vaccine appeared better at preventing deaths in seniors
Older adults are at high risk for serious complications from flu and account for a majority of flu-related deaths and hospitalizations. H3N2 influenza viruses typically hit this age group particularly hard and have been associated with higher mortality than infections by H1N1 or influenza B viruses. During the 2012-2013 season, when H3N2 viruses were dominant, high-dose flu vaccine was 36 percent more effective at preventing deaths in the Medicare beneficiaries studied, compared to standard-dose vaccine. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - March 2, 2017 Category: Science Source Type: news
In a bad flu season, high-dose flu vaccine appeared better at preventing deaths in seniors
(Infectious Diseases Society of America) Older adults are at high risk for serious complications from flu and account for a majority of flu-related deaths and hospitalizations. H3N2 influenza viruses typically hit this age group particularly hard and have been associated with higher mortality than infections by H1N1 or influenza B viruses. During the 2012-2013 season, when H3N2 viruses were dominant, high-dose flu vaccine was 36 percent more effective at preventing deaths in the Medicare beneficiaries studied, compared to standard-dose vaccine. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - March 2, 2017 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Flu vaccine seems to be working well, weakening punch of nasty bug
The current vaccine is a good match for this year's flu, and it includes a strain of Type A H3N2 flu virus that is causing most illnesses (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)
Source: Health News: CBSNews.com - February 17, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Flu Vaccine a Good Match for Viruses This Year
Overall, it has been 48 percent effective, but more severe H3N2 strain a factor in reduced coverage (Source: WebMD Health)
Source: WebMD Health - February 17, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
CDC: Flu Activity Continues in US, Vaccine 50% Effective CDC: Flu Activity Continues in US, Vaccine 50% Effective
Influenza activity has been ' moderate ' thus far, and severity indicators are in the range seen in prior seasons dominated by influenza A (H3N2) viruses, health officials say.Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Allergy Headlines)
Source: Medscape Allergy Headlines - February 16, 2017 Category: Allergy & Immunology Tags: Infectious Diseases News Source Type: news
Flu Vaccine a Pretty Good Match for Viruses This Year: CDC
Overall, it has been 48 percent effective, but more severe H3N2 strain a factor in reduced coverage
Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Flu, Flu Shot (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)
Source: MedlinePlus Health News - February 16, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
CDC: Flu Activity Continues in US, Vaccine 48% Effective CDC: Flu Activity Continues in US, Vaccine 48% Effective
Influenza activity has been ' moderate ' thus far, and severity indicators are in the range seen in prior seasons dominated by influenza A (H3N2) viruses, health officials say.Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Allergy Headlines)
Source: Medscape Allergy Headlines - February 16, 2017 Category: Allergy & Immunology Tags: Infectious Diseases News Source Type: news
Can a flu shot wear off if you get it too early? Perhaps, scientists say
By Helen Branswell
It can be jarring to see placards advertising "Flu Shots Today" in late July or early August in 80-degree weather.
But those signs may be more than just an unwelcome reminder that summer's days are numbered. Mounting scientific evidence is raising questions about whether vaccinating people that early may actually be undermining the effectiveness of the nation's massive flu vaccination program.
Studies from the US and Europe have detected a steady decline in vaccine protection in the months after vaccination. The most recent research, published just last month by scientists from the Centers for Disease...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - January 18, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
