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Health News Results - 444

05 Dec
Mystery Illness Kills Dozens in Congo

Mystery Illness Kills Dozens in Congo

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo are racing to try to identify the cause of a mysterious, flu-like illness that has sickened 376 people and left 79 dead in that country.

In a alert pos...

12 Nov
Genomic Test Might Quickly Diagnose Any Type of Infection

Genomic Test Might Quickly Diagnose Any Type of Infection

A cutting-edge genetic test can rapidly detect and identify almost any kind of disease-causing microorganism in the human body, whether it’s a virus, bacteria, fungus or parasite, researchers say.

Doctors have been using the genetic test for more than a decade to i...

09 Oct
Here's Where Viruses Love to Lurk in Your Bathroom

Here's Where Viruses Love to Lurk in Your Bathroom

The bad news first: shower heads and toothbrushes in an average bathroom are teeming with an extremely diverse collection of viruses, most of which have never been seen before, a new study finds.

Now, the good news.

These viruses target bacteria, not people, and co...

25 Sep
Experimental Nasal Spray Might Ward Off Multiple Viruses

Experimental Nasal Spray Might Ward Off Multiple Viruses

A non-drug nasal spray could theoretically help stop the spread of respiratory viruses like the flu and COVID-19 better than wearing a mask, a new study suggests.

The spray uses i...

03 Sep
What Is the EEE Mosquito-Borne Virus?

What Is the EEE Mosquito-Borne Virus?

New England is on alert following one death and a handful of infections of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus.

A New Hampshire resident died after contracting EEE, which is spread by mosquito bites, according to a

19 Jul
Ancient Viruses Might Be Spurring Modern-Day Cancers

Ancient Viruses Might Be Spurring Modern-Day Cancers

Cancer growth can be fueled by flecks of ancient viral DNA lodged into the genetics of modern humans, a new study says.

Overall, about 8% of the human genome is made of bits of DNA left behind by viruses that infected our primate ancestors, researchers say.

Called ...

15 Jul
Could OTC Nasal Sprays Ease Colds & Flu and Cut Antibiotic Use?

Could OTC Nasal Sprays Ease Colds & Flu and Cut Antibiotic Use?

Over-the-counter nasal sprays could be a potent weapon against a major public health threat -- antibiotic resistance, researchers report.

Their analysis, which looked at data from nearly 14,000 adults, found that common nasal sprays could help keep upper respiratory trac...

10 Jul
Raw Milk Exposure a Real Bird Flu Risk for Humans, but Fast Spread Unlikely

Raw Milk Exposure a Real Bird Flu Risk for Humans, but Fast Spread Unlikely

While exposure to raw cow's milk infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus can make you sick, a new study suggests the virus may not spread quickly to other people.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that mice and ferrets got sick with

10 Jul
Scientists Develop High-Tech 'Air Mask' to Ward Off Viruses

Scientists Develop High-Tech 'Air Mask' to Ward Off Viruses

An experimental "air mask"could help ward off infectious diseases while people are on the job, researchers report.

The mask uses an air curtain blowing down from the brim of a hard hat to prevent airborne viruses from reaching a worker's eyes, nose and mouth.

The m...

03 Jul
Florida Keys Issues Dengue Fever Alert After Two Cases Reported There

Florida Keys Issues Dengue Fever Alert After Two Cases Reported There

Health officials in the Florida Keys have issued a dengue fever alert after two confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne disease were reported there.

In the alert, issued this week by the Monroe County Depar...

03 Jul
Why Were Kids Hit Less Hard by COVID? New Study Offers Clues

Why Were Kids Hit Less Hard by COVID? New Study Offers Clues

Your children's never-ending colds and sniffles may have protected them from the worst effects of COVID-19, new research suggests.

Throughout the pandemic, it was clear that the SARS-CoV-2 virus tends to cause less severe symptoms in

01 Jul
FDA Study Shows Pasteurization Kills Bird Flu in Milk

FDA Study Shows Pasteurization Kills Bird Flu in Milk

As bird flu continues to spread among U.S. dairy cows, reassuring new government research finds the pasteurization process widely used in the industry effectively kills all bird flu virus in milk.

In a

29 Apr
FDA Says First Round of Tests Show No Live Virus in Pasteurized Milk

FDA Says First Round of Tests Show No Live Virus in Pasteurized Milk

Live bird flu virus has not been found in any of the first batch of retail milk samples tested, federal health officials said Friday.

Amid an ongoing outbreak of bird flu in U.S. dairy cows, the early findings should reassure the public that the milk sold in stores remai...

25 Apr
Dairy Cows Moved Across State Lines Must Now Be Tested for Bird Flu

Dairy Cows Moved Across State Lines Must Now Be Tested for Bird Flu

As bird flu continues to spread among dairy cows in the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday it will start requiring testing of the animals if they are moved across state lines.

The "USDA has identified [bird flu] spread between cows within t...

14 Feb
Man Dies in First Fatal Case of Alaskapox

Man Dies in First Fatal Case of Alaskapox

Alaska health officials say a man in that state has died after contracting Alaskapox, a rare virus that mostly infects small mammals.

In a statement, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology said the patient was ...

15 Dec
Too Few Americans Are Getting Vaccinated for Flu, COVID & RSV, CDC Warns

Too Few Americans Are Getting Vaccinated for Flu, COVID & RSV, CDC Warns

Low vaccination rates for the flu, RSV and COVID-19 are putting Americans at higher risk for severe illness and hospitalization this winter, a new government alert warned Thursday.

There is an "urgent need"to boost vaccination rates as the trio of viruses spread through ...

01 Dec
Respiratory Illnesses in China Not Caused by New Virus, CDC Director Testifies

Respiratory Illnesses in China Not Caused by New Virus, CDC Director Testifies

FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2023 (Healthday News) -- In testimony provided Thursday to members of Congress, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that a surge in respiratory illnesses in China is not being fueled by a new virus.

Instead, the spike can ...

17 Nov
Air Filters Probably Won't Cut Your Odds for Illness: Study

Air Filters Probably Won't Cut Your Odds for Illness: Study

Air filters might help keep the air in your home fresh, but a new review finds they don't appear to reduce your risk of catching an airborne virus.

Technologies designed to make indoor spaces safer from infection are not effective in the real world, researchers from the ...

30 Oct
Could a Cheap, DIY Air Filter Help Rid Your Home of Viruses?

Could a Cheap, DIY Air Filter Help Rid Your Home of Viruses?

A cheap, do-it-yourself air purifier is powerful enough to effectively protect a home from free-floating flu and COVID-19 viruses, according to test results from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The filter, crafted with common hardware store supplies costing $60...

24 Oct
Shortage of Shots That Protect Babies Against RSV Prompts CDC Alert

Shortage of Shots That Protect Babies Against RSV Prompts CDC Alert

Demand for a new shot that protects babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has outpaced supply, prompting U.S. health officials to recommend the doses be saved for high-risk infants.

In an alert post...

19 Oct
Cache Valley Virus: Another Mosquito-Borne Illness Making Inroads in U.S.

Cache Valley Virus: Another Mosquito-Borne Illness Making Inroads in U.S.

A potentially deadly infection carried by mosquitoes may be more prevalent than once thought, U.S. health officials report.

Named the Cache Valley virus after the Utah area in which it was first fo...

18 Oct
Could a Warming Climate Bring Yellow Fever to America?

Could a Warming Climate Bring Yellow Fever to America?

Yellow fever may be resurfacing in the United States, thanks to climate change.

The mosquito-borne viral illness decimated southern U.S. cities from 1820 to 1905, and now a new report says it could return to those areas.

One of the potential reasons fo...

18 Oct
Serotonin May Play Big Role in Long COVID

Serotonin May Play Big Role in Long COVID

New research has uncovered evidence that remnants of the COVID-19 virus may remain in some patients' guts for months, contributing to the lingering symptoms known as long COVID.

The remnants appear to trigger a drop in levels of the chemical serotonin, which may explain ...

11 Oct
Local Rates of Flu, RSV Show Up in a City's Wastewater

Local Rates of Flu, RSV Show Up in a City's Wastewater

Toilet bowls reveal much about the health of a community, alerting scientists to coming outbreaks of flu and other seasonal viruses, researchers say.

"Just one flush can hold a lot of information," said

10 Oct
COVID Might Raise Odds for Immune Disorders Like Crohn's, Alopecia

COVID Might Raise Odds for Immune Disorders Like Crohn's, Alopecia

In rare cases, some patients may develop an autoimmune disease following a bout of COVID, Korean researchers report.

Conditions such as alopecia (hair loss), psoriasis, vitiligo (white skin patches), vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels), Crohn's disease, ulcerativ...

07 Oct
Flu Shot Season Is Here: Why You (and Your Kids) Need One

Flu Shot Season Is Here: Why You (and Your Kids) Need One

It's time to get the flu shot.

They're important not just for adults, but also for children, and keeping the whole family safe, according to an expert in pediatrics.

"You never know how bad a flu season will be,"said

06 Oct
Could Folks Suffer From 'Long Colds,' Similar to Long COVID?

Could Folks Suffer From 'Long Colds,' Similar to Long COVID?

Long COVID, a constellation of symptoms that extend past the initial illness, is now a recognized condition.

But researchers say COVID-19 may not be the only respiratory virus that causes these lasting health impacts -- "long colds" may also exist.

"Our findings s...

05 Oct
In Early Trial, Promising Results for Moderna's Combo COVID-Flu Vaccine

In Early Trial, Promising Results for Moderna's Combo COVID-Flu Vaccine

Moderna Inc. announced Wednesday that it has seen positive early results with a new vaccine that would guard against four strains of flu plus COVID-19.

In interim findings from a Phase 1/2 trial, the vaccine showed both a strong immune response compared to the standard d...

05 Oct
Why So Many Americans Aren't Getting COVID Boosters

Why So Many Americans Aren't Getting COVID Boosters

More than 80% of eligible Americans did not get a COVID-19 booster shot last fall. Now, a new study reveals the reasons for the hesitation.

Nearly 40% of survey participants said a prior COVID-19 infection factored into their decision to not get the booster. Another 31.5...

04 Oct
Antiviral Meds Could Help Ease or Prevent Type 1 Diabetes in Kids, Study Finds

Antiviral Meds Could Help Ease or Prevent Type 1 Diabetes in Kids, Study Finds

Recent research has suggested that viruses could play a role in the loss of pancreatic beta cells, which triggers type 1 diabetes.

Now, a new trial finds antiviral medications, when given soon after a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, might help preserve those vi...

02 Oct
Scientists Gain Insight Into How COVID Harms the Heart

Scientists Gain Insight Into How COVID Harms the Heart

New research shows the COVID-19 virus can directly infect coronary arteries, inflaming fatty plaque inside them, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

This may explain why some people who get COVID-19 have a greater chance of developing heart disease. ...

28 Sep
Is the First Cure for Advanced Rabies Near?

Is the First Cure for Advanced Rabies Near?

Rabies virus is incurable and almost always fatal once it has invaded the central nervous system, with the victim doomed to suffer a horrible death.

But researchers now think they've found an effective and simple treatment that can cure even advanced cases of rabies.

...

22 Sep
RSV Vaccine Given in Pregnancy to Help Shield Newborns Receives Full U.S. Approval

RSV Vaccine Given in Pregnancy to Help Shield Newborns Receives Full U.S. Approval

Women may soon have a vaccine they can take during a pregnancy to help protect their newborn from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Following approval one month ago by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday also a...

21 Sep
Today's COVID Is Increasingly Looking Like a Cold or Flu

Today's COVID Is Increasingly Looking Like a Cold or Flu

Symptoms of mild COVID-19 infection have shifted this season, and now are more akin to those of allergies and the common cold, doctors say.

Many people with COVID-19 now are presenting with upper respiratory symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes and a sore throat, said <...

13 Sep
Can You Still Get COVID Tests for Free?

Can You Still Get COVID Tests for Free?

COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are gradually increasing in the United States, as two new variants gain a foothold in the nation. And with that rise, more people are looking for COVID test kits.

Hospitalizations rose by nearly 9% and deaths by nearly 11% in late Aug...

12 Sep
CDC Panel Gives Support to New COVID Booster Shots

CDC Panel Gives Support to New COVID Booster Shots

Following on an approval granted Monday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an expert panel from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday also signed off on new COVID boosters for Americans.

Final approval is expected from CDC Director Dr. Ma...

12 Sep
People Exhale Less COVID Virus as Their Infection Wanes

People Exhale Less COVID Virus as Their Infection Wanes

When you have COVID-19, when are you most infectious? Researchers are getting closer to an answer, with a new study finding that folks exhale the highest amounts of virus during the first eight days of their illness.

Scientists found that patients exhale quite a bit of ...

11 Sep
FDA Approves New COVID Booster Shots

FDA Approves New COVID Booster Shots

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday gave the green light to new COVID boosters for Americans, setting the stage for the updated vaccines to become available within days.

The COVID-19 shots from Pfizer and Moderna will join the flu shot and newly approved RSV ...

11 Sep
Yet Another Mosquito-Borne Threat: The 'Jamestown Canyon Virus'

Yet Another Mosquito-Borne Threat: The 'Jamestown Canyon Virus'

You've probably heard of West Nile virus, but mosquitoes spread various other illnesses, too, including the little-known Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), which is garnering attention across the United States.

For example, health officials in Connecticut have so far identifi...

06 Sep
Moderna Says Updated COVID Shot Shields Against Highly Mutated New Variant

Moderna Says Updated COVID Shot Shields Against Highly Mutated New Variant

Some good news for folks who are worried about the new, troublesome COVID variant known as BA.2.86: Moderna Inc. said Wednesday that its updated vaccine held its own against this highly mutated version of the virus.

While approval for the newest version of the vaccine i...

06 Sep
CDC Warns of Rise in RSV Cases Among Young Children, Infants

CDC Warns of Rise in RSV Cases Among Young Children, Infants

Doctors are seeing a spike in severe cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among young children in Florida and Georgia, U.S. health officials warned Tuesday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent an

29 Aug
Rising COVID Hospitalizations, New Variants Have Americans on Edge

Rising COVID Hospitalizations, New Variants Have Americans on Edge

A new COVID-19 surge is underway, with seasonal changes and new variants fueling an increase in hospitalizations and deaths.

A new Omicron variant, named Eris, has become dominant in the United States amid signs that an even more highly evolved COVID variant called BA.2....

28 Aug
COVID Virus Is Evolving Three Times Faster in Deer Versus Humans

COVID Virus Is Evolving Three Times Faster in Deer Versus Humans

COVID-19 variants are evolving three times faster in white-tailed deer than in humans, according to a new study.

Deer serve as virus reservoirs, places where a virus thrives and multiplies, making them the perfect host for ongoing mutation.

The virus also appears...

24 Aug
U.S. Wastewater Tests Spot Highly Mutated Variant of COVID-19

U.S. Wastewater Tests Spot Highly Mutated Variant of COVID-19

Public health officials have detected the new BA.2.86 variant of COVID-19 in U.S. wastewater, giving rise to concerns about the highly mutated variant in the United States.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced

22 Aug
FDA Approves RSV Vaccine for Pregnant Women to Help Shield Newborns

FDA Approves RSV Vaccine for Pregnant Women to Help Shield Newborns

Women may soon have a vaccine they can take during a pregnancy to help protect their newborn from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), following U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the shot, called Abrysvo, on Monday

The vaccine is designed to be given to pregnan...

17 Aug
'Do Your Own Research': Was It Dangerous Advice During the Pandemic?

'Do Your Own Research': Was It Dangerous Advice During the Pandemic?

The idea of "doing your own research"didn't begin with the pandemic, but new research suggests that those who follow that ideology have been more likely to believe COVID misinformation.

"We had heard the phrase a lot before,"prior to the pandemic, said researcher

16 Aug
Pediatricians' Group Urges That All Infants Get New RSV Shot

Pediatricians' Group Urges That All Infants Get New RSV Shot

All infants should receive the new long-acting preventive monoclonal antibody for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the nation's leading pediatrics group said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urged that access to the new medication, called nirsevimab, be equita...

15 Aug
Summer Buzzkill: Sorting Out Mosquito Myths & Facts

Summer Buzzkill: Sorting Out Mosquito Myths & Facts

Mosquitoes can be a big pest, leaving behind itchy bumps on skin and potentially spreading serious diseases, such as West Nile virus.

Sam Telford III is a professor of infectious disea...

10 Aug
For Some, Long COVID Symptoms Can Come and Go

For Some, Long COVID Symptoms Can Come and Go

As researchers continue to try to better understand the condition known as long COVID, a new study has discovered that symptoms can emerge months after infection or even return later for some folks.

The research is considered the most comprehensive look at how symptoms e...