Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses. The most common symptoms of the disease are chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, fatigue and general discomfort. Although it is often confused with other influenza-like illnesses, especially the common cold, influenza is a more severe disease than the common cold and is caused by a different type of virus.
By Christie Rizk | May 24, 2013 05:08 PM EDT
A mysterious illness that struck seven people in Alabama earlier this week has been determined to be a combination of cold and flu viruses.
By Christie Rizk | May 23, 2013 06:48 PM EDT
WHO officials say scientists worldwide should be sharing information on the recent spread of coronavirus, not looking to profit from their work.
By Anthony Rivas | May 19, 2013 04:44 PM EDT
Fever-reducing medications don't affect the amount of time it takes a child to fight an infection, according to a new study. Their use highlights parents' quickness to treat a fever with medication.
By Matthew Mientka | May 19, 2013 02:02 PM EDT
Compounds in ginger might help asthma patients breathe easier when combined with bronchodilating medications, a study shows.
By Evan Winchester | Apr 24, 2013 11:40 AM EDT
Since March, twenty-two people have died from the new avian influenza virus. Reports in Taiwan announce the spread of the strain beyond China.
By Jonathan Weiss | Apr 22, 2013 01:11 PM EDT
Not only are these medications proven ineffective in children less than 2 years of age, but they can have bad side effects.
By Justin Caba | Apr 18, 2013 03:41 PM EDT
Michael Jordan's longtime physical trainer Tim Grover has released details about the cause the NBA legend's sickly appearance in what's been dubbed the "Flu Game."
By Matthew Mientka | Mar 25, 2013 12:41 PM EDT
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration needs more time to evaluate a vaccine for the new bird flu, H5N1, drug-maker GlaxoSmithKline said today. The pharmaceutical manufacturer, based in the United Kingdom, produced the vaccine to protect the population in case of a pandemic, following an outbreak of H1N1 "bird flu" in 2009 that killed 17,000 by early 2010.
By Justin Caba | Mar 19, 2013 11:45 AM EDT
The emergence of drug abuse through over-the-counter cough syrups has forced parents to take a good look at just what is in their medicine cabinets.
By Ashik Siddique | Feb 27, 2013 07:06 PM EST
A version of the swine flu vaccine given between 2009 and 2010 has been tied to a higher risk for the sleep disorder narcolepsy in British children and adolescents.
By Staff Reporter | Feb 21, 2013 11:49 PM EST
The New York State Health Department is proposing a new rule requiring all health care workers without influenza vaccines to wear masks during flu season.
By Staff Reporter | Feb 21, 2013 09:27 PM EST
Researchers show that DFSAs, a new class of influenza drug, can inactivate drug-resistant strains of the flu virus by shutting down a key enzyme.
By Staff Reporter | Feb 21, 2013 04:53 PM EST
This season’s flu vaccine is almost completely ineffective in the elderly, with hospitalization and death rates among the highest ever recorded for senior citizens above the age of 65.
By Julie Steenhuysen | Feb 21, 2013 04:26 PM EST
A U.S. government analysis of this season's flu vaccine suggests it was effective in only 56 percent of people who got the shot, and it completely failed to protect the elderly against an especially deadly strain circulating during flu season.
By Michael Hogan | Feb 18, 2013 10:51 AM EST
German authorities said a case of H5N1 bird flu had been discovered during initial tests on a poultry farm in the eastern state of Brandenburg.
