• The winter of persistent coughing

    The winter virus season is often characterized by a hallmark sound: coughing. This year, though, some physicians and patients say coughing has been more persistent, often lasting for weeks after a virus passes, according to a Jan. 22 report in The Washington Post.
  • CDC to physicians: Be alert for measles

    The CDC is urging healthcare providers to monitor patients for measles symptoms amid a recent uptick in U.S. cases, according to Minneapolis-based University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
  • CDC dismisses severity claims of JN.1 variant

    The CDC has rejected findings from Ohio State University researchers that the JN.1 coronavirus variant is more severe than previous strains.
  • How IDSA is boosting infectious disease expert, public health collaboration

    The Infectious Disease Society of America has announced the success of a program it jointly developed in 2017 aimed at drawing more physicians into the field and building a strong path to retain more of them in positions at the public health level.
  • Rare fungal infection gains prevalence in new region

    Blastomycosis, a rare infection caused by the fungus Blastomyces, may be more common in the U.S. than previously thought, particularly in the Northeast, the CDC said Jan. 24.  
  • A more accurate Alzheimer's blood detection test is on the horizon

    A blood test that could detect signs of Alzheimer's disease even prior to symptom onset is in the works, and early evaluation of it has proven to be highly accurate, according to new research, published Jan. 22 in JAMA.
  • Philadelphia measles outbreak eases, but US should expect more cases, experts warn

    More than a week has passed since a new measles case was reported in connection with the Philadelphia outbreak. City health officials said Jan. 23 that they will continue to monitor the situation, but wind down updates further if no additional cases are confirmed for two weeks. While cases may be winding down there, measles continues to spread in pockets across the U.S.
  • 150+ babies, women given wrong RSV shot, CDC says

    More than 25 infants under 8 months old and 128 pregnant women received the incorrect respiratory syncytial virus vaccines, the CDC warned clinicians via email Jan. 22. 
  • Experts call for more focus on preparing for Disease X

    Global leaders are trying to get ahead of Disease X —  the name used by the World Health Organization to "indicate an unknown pathogen that could cause a serious international epidemic." Preparing now for the next global pandemic is vital, according to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, director-general at the WHO.
  • COVID, flu admissions fall: 4 virus updates

    Respiratory virus season's burden on the healthcare system may begin to ease after weeks of crowded emergency departments and hospital strain, the latest data suggests. 
  • Columbia U virus database aims to improve illness severity research

    Researchers from Columbia University in New York City built an open-access viral database to "to longitudinally explore respiratory viral infections, their interactions with other pathogens and host transcriptomic changes" per the project's description. Its creation could help advance research into the severity of illnesses.
  • New research sets path forward for long COVID tests, treatments

    Persistent research into understanding the condition known as "long COVID" is finally clearing up clinical confusion and is also paving the way for the development of tests and treatments.
  • The latest on measles spread in the US

    A ninth case of measles has been confirmed in connection with the outbreak in Philadelphia, the city's health department reported Jan. 17.
  • Flu admissions at 3rd-highest level in 13 seasons

    The 2023-24 flu season is well underway, with the U.S. seeing a higher hospitalization rate at this point in the year than eleven of the past thirteen flu seasons.
  • Fungal infection death rate likely almost double original estimates

    The number of deaths related to fungal infections is complicated to measure and as a result likely underreported. The updated mortality rate is almost double that of past estimates, according to a study published Jan. 12 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
  • A paradox in longevity: More years with more sickness for American adults

    Illness and disease are common with age, but new research suggests that U.S. adults are now spending more time in their life sick than well, The Wall Street Journal reported Jan. 17.
  • 35 states where respiratory virus levels remain high

    Thirty-five states are experiencing high or very high respiratory virus activity, according to the CDC, despite a recent dip in flu hospital admissions and a slower increase in the rate of new COVID-19 hospitalizations.
  • Measles exposure reported at Missouri hospital

    Health officials in Clay County, Mo., issued an exposure warning Jan. 12, after confirming an active measles case in a resident of Liberty, a suburb 15 miles outside of Kansas City.
  • Dips in COVID, flu metrics may not signal peak, experts say: 8 virus updates

    After weeks of rising cases of flu nationally, hospitalizations and positive tests have slightly declined. COVID-19 hospitalizations have also slowed for the first time in weeks, according to CDC data.
  • COVID-19 tied to higher risk of digestive diseases

    Patients who have survived a COVID-19 infection may be at a greater risk of developing digestive diseases, according to research published Jan. 10 in BMC Medicine.

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