Flu

Study uncovers 'unacceptable' inequality in risk of premature flu death

Men, especially in the older age group, and people living in the most deprived areas, were also more also vulnerable to premature death.

Influenza kills about 500 New Zealanders each year and probably the biggest single infectious disease killer, the study from the University of Otago, Wellington said.

Researchers found that in the 65-79 year age group, Māori were 3.6 times more likely to die of influenza than those of European or other ethnicity.

The big one is coming, and it's going to be a flu pandemic

And yet, like with most people, it is probably something you haven't spent much time thinking about. After all, it is human nature to avoid being consumed by hypotheticals until they are staring us squarely in the face.

Such is the case with a highly lethal flu pandemic. And when it comes, it will affect every human alive today.

How my daughter died from a simple case of flu

I've cried more times today than I can count. You'd think by now, I could go days without crying, but I can't get over the guilt.

Shannon's only complaint was a sore throat. Her fever wasn't even scary.

I spent (wasted is a better word) most of my morning Googling flu information again today. The complex science of mutating viruses leaves me boggled. If I can't make sense of it, how can I explain the importance of stopping the flu to others?

After more than two years, my husband Terry and I haven't said the "D" word yet.

We say "she went to heaven."

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Vitamin D pills 'could stop colds or flu'

The sunshine vitamin is vital for healthy bones, but also has a role in the immune system.

The analysis, published in the British Medical Journal, argues food should be fortified with the vitamin.

But Public Health England (PHE) says the infections data is not conclusive, although it does recommend supplements.

These, it says, should be taken for improved bone and muscle health.

You're more likely to catch flu after a cold snap, study says

Now, a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Virology is shedding some light on exactly how cold weather and the spread of viruses are linked.

It turns out, seasonal flu outbreaks first appear each year about a week after the winter's first cold spell -- or at least that's what happened in Sweden, over the course of three years when researchers tracked weather patterns and the prevalence of the virus.

'Snot wars' study yields new class of drugs

Tests reported in the journal Nature found the resulting drug, lugdunin, could treat superbug infections.

The researchers, at the University of Tubingen in Germany, say the human body is an untapped source of new drugs.

The last new class of the drugs to reach patients was discovered in the 1980s.

Nearly all antibiotics were discovered in soil bacteria, but the University of Tubingen research team turned to the human body.

Dreaded superbug

ENB health see upsurge in flu-like illnesses

 Hospitals and health centres in Kokopo town have been treating many sick children who have been coming with flu like illnesses.

The Provincial health office has confirmed that the symptoms of skin rash, cold and fever is something new but believe it  is nothing serious as they have not established the source of the sickness.

Children have been treated with symptomatic treatment and sent home with most of them improving.

Flu drug given out "indiscriminately"

The experts said many thousands of patients had received treatment that may have done no good at all.

They are calling for comprehensive trials during the next pandemic, with some patients receiving the drug and others being given routine care.

The report was put together by the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Together with the Wellcome Trust the team reviewed all recent evidence on Tamiflu.

Their new analysis suggests the antiviral pills are helpful in certain, limited circumstances - for example for people unwell in hospital with seasonal flu.