In the winter months, it seems few are safe from some kind of illness flu, COVID-19, norovirus, colds. While many of the germs that cause this misery can circulate throughout the year, scientists think that the winter surge of flu and cold activity may be because we spend more time indoors and the cold, dry air may weaken our defences. But knowing what these bugs are and how they spread can help. While it may be difficult to make it through the season totally unscathed, there are some things you can do to protect yourself from these respiratory and stomach viruses. How do I know whether I have the cold, the flu, COVID-19 or something else? Some symptoms are hard to distinguish among illnesses, especially with respiratory viruses. Others are unmistakable. Norovirus is a foodborne illness that can spread through water and contaminated surfaces and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain for about one to three days. The common cold can be caused by several different t
Health Ministry convenes monitoring group meeting over hMPV surge in China
Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Saturday said the state government is closely monitoring the news reports about the massive outbreak of viral fever and respiratory infection in China and said there is no need to panic as of now. In a Facebook post, George said there have been no reports so far about any virus found in China that could become pandemic or spread rapidly to other regions. As Malayalees are there in all parts of the world and expatriates frequently come to the state, including from China, extra caution should be exercised, she said. "We are monitoring the situation in China. If an outbreak is detected that has the potential to spread to other areas, we can check its spread very quickly," she said. The minister also urged people, especially pregnant women, children and elderly people, to take extra vigil and asked them to wear masks. An official source said on Friday that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is closely monitoring respiratory and season
China is witnessing a surge in respiratory illnesses, including HMPV, influenza, and Covid-19, predominantly affecting children and the elderly, as healthcare systems face mounting pressure
First-in-human trial is a type of clinical trial in which a new drug, procedure or treatment is tested in humans for the first time
The Odisha government has culled over 11,700 chickens in Puri district's Pipili, following the detection of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, an official said on Monday. After mass deaths of chickens at a local poultry farm in Pipili, culling began on Saturday and was completed on Monday evening. Additional culling in homes and nearby villages will take place on Tuesday, the official added. Jagannath Nanda, additional director of disease control, said 13 rapid response teams are handling the culling, with some poultry farm owners conducting culling independently. No other unusual chicken deaths have been reported elsewhere in the state, he added. In response to the outbreak, the state health department has heightened surveillance and issued an alert. Bijay Mohapatra, director of health services, emphasised that while bird flu is not new to Odisha, the department is working with stakeholders to manage the situation. He assured that sufficient medicines are available and urged poul
The epicentre of the outbreak was in the Puri district, about 19 miles from the state capital Bhubaneswar, and follows the recent death of 1,800 birds at a local poultry farm
Upon heating a non-stick utensil above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, the chemicals in nonstick coating may break down, releasing toxic fumes that contribute to "Teflon flu"
Cadila Pharmaceuticals on Monday said it has launched a vaccine to prevent influenza, a recurrent and widespread viral infection. The drug firm has introduced quadrivalent Cadiflu Tetra vaccine which has been approved by the DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) for use in adults and children. The new vaccine targets four strains of the influenza virus subtype A and B, responsible for seasonal epidemics, the drug firm said in a statement. Developed using proprietary technology employing nano-sized particles, the vaccine mimics the external structure of the virus without containing intact genetic material, it added. "This breakthrough in vaccine development also holds promise for enhancing the protection of pregnant women against influenza, contributing to the overall well-being of both mother and child," Cadila Pharmaceuticals CMD Rajiv I Modi said. Influenza, commonly known as seasonal flu, is a highly contagious acute respiratory illness
The winter season is always a concern and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the year poses an even greater danger. So, it's vital to keep in mind that the cold or flu season has also officially started
Updated COVID-19 vaccines are coming soon, just in time to pair them with flu shots. And this fall, the first vaccines for another scary virus called RSV are rolling out to older adults and pregnant women. Doctors hope enough people get vaccinated to help avert another tripledemic like last year when hospitals were overwhelmed with an early flu season, an onslaught of RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, and yet another winter coronavirus surge. COVID-19 hospitalizations have been steadily increasing since late summer, although not nearly as much as this time last year, and RSV already is on the rise in parts of the Southeast. Approval of updated COVID-19 shots is expected within days. They are among the tools the new director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says will help put the US in our strongest position yet to avoid another chaotic respiratory season. There will be a lot of virus this winter. That's why we want to get ahead of it, CDC chief Dr. Mandy Cohen .
The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine as long as flu activity continues
Govt should revitalise the vaccination programme
Doctors say 100-150% increase in flu cases
Current H3N2 strain has its origin in the 1968 pandemic; experts also cite lack of awareness about the influenza vaccine, which must be taken every year
"Whenever there will be a real use of antibiotics, they will not work due to the resistance," the IMA wrote
Influenza virus: Doctors suggest getting vaccinated against this flu, practising hand sanitation, and maintaining proper hydration
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first combination test for flu and C OVID-19 that can be used at home, giving consumers an easy way to determine if a runny nose is caused by either disease. The Lucira COVID-19 & Flu Home test, which can be purchased without a prescription, uses self-collected nasal swab samples and delivers results in about 30 minutes, the agency said. While at-home COVID tests are readily available, this is the first home test for influenza A and B, commonly known as the flu. The test was granted an emergency use authorization, which facilitates the availability of medical countermeasures during public health emergencies. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, called the authorization a major milestone in bringing greater consumer access to diagnostic tests that can be performed entirely at home. The agency said the test is for individuals with signs and symptoms consistent with a respiratory tract ..