Influenza

The CDC is emphasizing how the flu vaccine can turn the virus from “Wild to Mild”

Genetic susceptibilities, the environment and the body’s response to inflammation all influence our odds of falling ill

Influenza D is only known to sicken cattle and pigs, but it “has everything it needs” to jump into people

Bird flu outbreaks are a numbers game, and the numbers are turning against us

Flu and COVID symptoms are easily confused. A new home test—the first for flu—tells them apart in minutes

Although most experts say bird flu is not an immediate threat to humans, efforts are underway to produce vaccines for H5N1 or another potential pandemic virus

Reduced population immunity resulting from COVID precautions, and a phenomenon called viral interference, may have influenced this flu season’s early start

Incomplete viral genomes can quell disease and, with further research, could be turned into treatments

Mass infections in wild birds pose a significant risk to vulnerable species, are hard to contain and increase the opportunity for the virus to spill over into people

COVID shutdowns limited the spread of influenza in 2019–2020. Several factors could mean this season will be more severe

Despite new findings, certain advice still holds true

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points to new data showing the spray was ineffective from 2013 to 2016