Latest about Viruses, Infections & Disease
Flu shots have changed this year — here's why
Unlike past flu shots, flu vaccines for the 2024-2025 season don't contain the "Yamagata lineage" of influenza viruses because evidence suggests that type of flu no longer exists.
Source of person's recent bird flu case remains a mystery — and experts say that's concerning
The latest human case of bird flu in the U.S. occurred in a patient with no reported exposure to affected animals, sparking questions over whether the virus is spreading between people. Experts say that's unlikely but argue the case raises other concerns.
New self-swab HPV test is an alternative to Pap smears. Here's how it works.
There's a new way to screen for high-risk HPV, a viral infection that can lead to cervical cancer. This alternative method of collecting samples for cervical cancer screening doesn't require a speculum.
New York resident dies of eastern equine encephalitis — what is it?
Recent cases of a viral illness nicknamed "triple E" have occurred in New England. Here's what you should know about the disease.
At-home flu vaccine approved by FDA — what to know
People could previously get the nasal spray flu vaccine, called FluMist, from a health care provider, but now they can administer it themselves.
Saline nose drops may shorten colds and cut transmission, trial hints
Giving children saline nose drops at the start of a cold may shorten its duration and reduce the likelihood that they will pass the illness to others, a study hints. But it has some caveats.
Scientists invent tool to see how 'healthy' your gut microbiome is — does it work?
A new tool can reveal whether someone has a "healthy" gut microbiome with a simple score — but how does it work?
Hospitalized patients with flu need Tamiflu the day they're admitted, CDC says
New research suggests that hospitalized patients with flu who start taking Tamiflu the day they are admitted are 40% less likely to die within a month than those treated just days later.
