Category Archive

Since the early days of AOL and Yahoo, digital information has transformed how people access and share health information. While the digital age has increased access, it has also accelerated the spread of disinformation and misinformation.
To address this issue, Dr. C. Everett Koop spearheaded an industry initiative in 1999 to protect people from unreliable health information by involving doctors, nurses, and pharmacists in the content creation.

In the 20th century, influenza and pneumonia constituted the most significant proportion of infectious disease deaths in the United States. However, in the 21st century, that trend changed.
On May 20, 2024, a Major Article published by the journal AJIC analyzed crude death rates (CR) and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 individuals calculated using influenza and pneumonia mortality data (ICD-10 Codes: J09-J18) from the U.S. CDC WONDER database.

Vaccines have proven to be the primary means of reducing influenza infections over decades. Although many people think all flu shots are the same, there are significant differences between cell—and egg-based vaccines, which provide different health benefits.

Over the past few years, significant media attention has been paid to detecting avian influenza (bird flu). While the overall human health risk is being evaluated, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently shared clarifying data points.
During 2020, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses arose from previously circulating influenza A(H5Nx) viruses. They spread predominantly via migratory birds to many parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe.
In late 2021, these bird flu viruses crossed to North America and, in late 2022, to South America.

Over the past few years, significant media attention has been paid to detecting avian influenza (bird flu). While the overall human health risk is being evaluated, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently shared clarifying data points.
During 2020, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses arose from previously circulating influenza A(H5Nx) viruses. They spread predominantly via migratory birds to many parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe.
In late 2021, these bird flu viruses crossed to North America and, in late 2022, to South America.

Although avian influenza (bird flu) viruses usually do not infect people, there have been some rare cases of human infection.
Human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when the virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, or mouth or is inhaled.

Recent reports indicate that the multi-year, global outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus has reached the state of Texas.
In late March 2024, the Texas Animal Health Commission announced that dairy cattle in the Texas Panhandle had tested positive for avian influenza A(H5N1).
Subsequently, on April 1, 2024, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported one confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in Texas. The affected person had direct exposure to dairy cattle suspected of being infected with avian influenza.

It is essential to remember that various airborne viruses spread throughout the year, even as respiratory diseases continue to decline from their peak in late December 2023.
Viruses such as influenza and Respiratory Syncytial virus displayed both seasonal and regional outbreaks last winter.
Human respiratory viruses include a broad range of viruses transmitted mainly by infected persons.

In the United States, influenza is a significant health concern each year, affecting millions of people and leading to hospitalization and death for many.
Flu vaccines have been recommended for over five decades and have been proven to lower the risk of flu and its severe complications in those who receive it.
The composition of U.S. flu vaccines is reviewed annually in time for newer flu vaccines to be manufactured each year.

Influenza vaccines have provided moderate yet crucial protection against laboratory-confirmed influenza, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations for the past few decades.
Although influenza vaccine's effectiveness does vary based on virus type and age group, healthcare providers have emphasized the need to tailor vaccination strategies for those at the most significant risk.