Flu, genes, clades and H3N2
We’ve talked earlier about clades; a term which relates to how we can put influenza (flu) viruses that sit under the broad title, “A/H3N2”, into subgroupings. Clades are a way Read More …
Tag: Flu
Every flu season is a soup of viruses
It may surprise some to know that influenza isn’t caused by just one “flu virus”. There are multiple flu viruses which can all cause the flu and they are around Read More …
Only effective vaccines can protect us from respiratory viruses because we’re us
As winter wraps up in Australia, it’s become quite clear that – barring a very unusual late burst of activity – the 2018 influenza (flu) season has passed Australia by with Read More …
Queensland influenza keeping it cool….
This week’s influenza (flu) data from Queensland’s Department of Health suggest that the virus is toying with Queenslanders – and much of Australia – this season. The total number of Read More …
Is increased testing at the root of Australia’s biggest ever first quarter of Flu cases…?
I’ve seen some media reporting an “early start to the flu season”. Is this true? The short answer is – I don’t know. Let’s explore why I can’t answer my Read More …
Flu numbers from the US…Peaky McPeakFace
This year’s annual influenza (flu) H3N2 epidemic in the United States (US) has peaked. It’s been a big season in the US and the United Kingdom and in Canada, as it was Read More …
Influenza virus transmission: with or without symptoms, you’re dropping Flu virus
Influenza viruses infect our cells, but cell entry alone does not result in influenza (the disease). What happens after our cells get infected can depend on quite a few things. Read More …
Why the current influenza season is a big one…
We wrote a little something on this topic for the Conversation back in November. It may be of interest you in the northern hemisphere. You can read the entire piece, Read More …
Flu is a slippery virus, a tough vaccine target and a challenge to contain…
Much was made of a regrettable interview earlier in the week about the Australian equivalent Flu vaccine. Some of the headlines included… “Cut-price flu jabs too weak to work” “Cheaper Read More …
Flu has long been associated with death in younger adults: it is known
A very short post just to highlight that younger adults have been linked to Flu deaths for many years. This is still far less often than occurs among the elderly Read More …
A look at public reporting of Flu in Australia…
I’ve spent a bit more time in Flu reports this year than past years so I thought I might compare the data that the public can see. There are no Read More …
Queensland Flu season gives us the cold shoulder…
The latest Flu data, fresh from the excellent Epidemiology Research Unit, Communicable Diseases Branch, Queensland Health, shows the usual post-winter spike (shoulder) in Flu cases and the subsequent plunge thanks Read More …
Influenza on the brain….
Influenza, (Flu), caused by influenza viruses, is what we all think of as a respiratory disease. It can cause acute mild upper respiratory tract illness. It can cause acute severe Read More …