Influenza (flu)
Vaccine Committee Bans Mercury (Thimerosal) from…
A CDC advisory panel recommended on June 25, 2025, that the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal be removed from influenza vaccines. In theory, only about 4% of flu shots contain thimerosol. Tha…
Show 1433: What Are the Hidden Dangers in the Ai…
In this episode, our guest, award-winning science journalist Carl Zimmer, describes the hidden dangers in the air we breathe. He begins with the concept of the aerobiome–the collection of living thi…
Has CDC Cut Back on Infectious Disease Info?
How well is the CDC communicating about infectious diseases these days? An NPR analysis suggests that this public health agency has cut back on infectious disease info and alerts to health professiona…
Birds, Cows, CATS and People Suffer H5N1 Influen…
"Bird flu" continues to pose challenges for public health officials. They remain concerned about the potential for person-to-person transmission of H5N1 influenza. This strain of influenza has been ci…
Show 1424: Breathing Better Despite Pollution, I…
This week, we talk with a pulmonologist–a doctor who takes care of people with lung problems. Our topics range from common respiratory infections to the hazards of breathing smoke from forest fires.…
The Inside Story of Tamiflu Side Effects & …
The CDC says that the flu is on the way out at long last. Measles is climbing with over 250 cases identified in at least 15 states, but we're told that influenza is dropping, down 19% over the last we…
Stay Home When Sick…Unless You Are A Healt…
The CDC urges most people who come down with flu symptoms to "stay home and avoid contact with others except to get medical care." You could extend that advice to just about all communicable diseases …
Flu Frenzy! The Worst Influenza Outbreak in 15 Y…
The flu season usually begins to subside by February. Not this year! The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that influenza infections are at the highest rate in 15 years and still risin…
The Sexdemic: Why Infections Seem Worse Than Eve…
Many Americans gathered with friends and family over the holidays. That meant hugs and togetherness. There have also been sporting events. College basketball is a big deal where we live. Duke and UNC …
Should You Worry About Norovirus or Germs on You…
Do you pay attention when you visit your local coffee shop? Can you observe the person who fills your mug or places the lid on your paper cup? Does that person wear disposable gloves? Are the gloves c…
Will Xofluza Help You Recover from the Flu Faste…
According to the CDC, seasonal influenza activity remains elevated across most of the country. Doctors often prescribe oseltamivir, also known by the brand name Tamiflu, to try to help patients recove…
Show 1369: What to Do If You Catch the Flu (Arch…
This week, we hear from pulmonologist Roger Seheult, MD, about ways we can strengthen our immune responses to respiratory infections. Seasonal influenza activity is high and still rising in most parts…
Home Remedies or Brand Names for the Common Cold…
Doctors have abbreviations for anything that causes coughing, sneezing, sore throat, congestion and/or runny nose: URTI (upper respiratory tract infection) or the shorter version URI (upper respirator…
Are There Dangerous Viruses in the Air You Breat…
I know that you have almost suppressed the memory of the pandemic. If COVID-19 taught us anything, though, it is that air quality matters! Most people would prefer not to catch a respiratory infection…
First Home Flu Vaccine Approved Is Not a Shot
When we mention vaccines, most people think of a shot at a clinic, pharmacy or doctor’s office. Next year, many Americans will be able to get their flu vaccines at home. It won’t be a shot though;…
Will Vitamin D Help You Avoid Infection?
Does vitamin D improve resistance against viruses such as influenza or the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19? Grandmothers across northern Europe have long relied upon cod liver oil, which is rich…
The Flu Is Back! Why Hasn’t Influenza Disa…
Several weeks ago the CDC reported that influenza cases were dropping. But an “updated” report on March 15, 2024 suggested that trend had reversed, and the flu is back. Of course it never really w…
Show 1378: Rediscovering the Power of Medicinal …
This week, two guests describe their work with the healing power of medicinal herbs. They draw upon family histories of herbalism along with their own studies of how to use botanical medicines. You ma…
Is Phenylephrine a Worthless Decongestant? FDA&#…
What took the Food and Drug Administration so long to determine that a common cold and allergy drug does not work? Phenylephrine (PE) is almost 100 years old, having received a patent in 1927. Its eff…
Will You Make a Condiment to Fend Off Colds?
Every so often, a reader shares a remedy that gets a lot of attention. Last month, we heard from a person whose special sauce helps her family fend off colds. Wendi wrote: “I have been making a hot …
Will Elderberry Extract Help You Recover from Fl…
Natural approaches to healing are getting extra attention right now, as people try hard to stay out of doctors' offices if they can. After all, if you don't have COVID-19, you don't want to go anywher…
Can You Protect Yourself from the Flu?
It’s that time of year. Lots of people are miserable with colds, coughs or the flu. What will you do to protect yourself from the flu and keep from coming down with something nasty? Will Astragalus …
This Week’s Influenza Update: It’s Back with…
The Sick Season has arrived! We know we are starting to sound like a cracked record. We have been warning about flu for weeks and weeks and weeks! The influenza update from the CDC continues to show a…
Overdosing on Acetaminophen in Cold and Flu Reme…
Many over-the-counter medicines marketed for treating colds and flu contain acetaminophen (paracetamol in Europe, Australia and New Zealand). This non-aspirin pain reliever helps lower fever. Acetamin…
Should You Have a Home Flu Test on Hand?
In case you have not noticed, the flu is back! The swallows come back to Capistrano every spring and influenza viruses start circulating around the holidays. According to FLUVIEW the “Weekly U.S. In…
Is There Influenza in Your Town?
Flu season has just begun, but cases of influenza continue to rise. The southeast is being hit particularly hard. States reporting high levels of influenza-like illness include Alabama, Florida, Georg…
Should You Lower a Fever or Leave It Alone?
When should you treat a fever? Before people used aspirin or acetaminophen to lower a fever, healers around the world believed that raising body temperature would speed recovery from infection. A few …
Show 1357: Revisiting Ventilation to Avoid Airbo…
According to the CDC, cases of COVID-19 have been rising in several parts of the country. Cases of hospitalization for COVID are also up. One way to protect ourselves from airborne germs like the SARS…
If the COVID Pandemic Is Over, Can We Relax?
I am optimistic. For many months COVID cases have been steadily declining in the US. That’s at a time when most people have stopped being careful. Masks are mostly gone. People are traveling, dining…
Improve Indoor Air Quality to Fight COVID and Fl…
Masks are a thing of the past for most Americans. Even though a lot of people are still catching and spreading COVID these days, masking has pretty much faded away as a precautionary measure against c…
Will We Have a Bad Flu Season This Year?
The last thing most Americans and Europeans are thinking about at this time of year is influenza. This is not flu season! And most people have put worries about COVID-19 behind them. Over the last sev…
Will Chinese Herb Andrographis Ease Misery of Fl…
As we move into spring, flu season is receding. We will not hear public health announcements urging us to get our flu shots for another six months. But the question remains: what can you do if you cat…
Can Elderberry Juice Really Fight Flu Virus?
Elderberries and elderberry juice have long had a reputation for fighting the flu. Most physicians undoubtedly have considered this just another old wives’ tale. One reader remembers how her family …
Will Vitamin D Supplements Really Protect You fr…
Avoiding colds and flu is challenging. Physicians will tell you that vaccination is the only protection against influenza. Frequent hand washing is the other standard recommendation. Unfortunately, im…
Good News About This Year’s Flu Season!
Have You had the flu this year? I didn’t think so. Most people have avoided the H3N2 type-A influenza strain that has been circulating since October. By the way, that’s early! Normally the flu doe…
Does Injection Technique Lead to Bruising from I…
This season, nurses and pharmacists are giving flu shots and COVID boosters to help people stay out of the hospital. People who are afraid of needles have a lot of trouble with these immunizations. On…
Will You Get a Flu Shot? How Well Will It Work?
Every year, public health authorities urge Americans to roll up their sleeves and get a flu shot. The CDC sometimes suggests that people call ahead to make sure there is vaccine available. The reasons…
Surge in Viral Infections Linked to Shortage of …
The dreaded tripledemic seems to have arrived. Cases of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19 are higher than usual. Perhaps because these infections affect young children disproportiona…
Is It Too Late for a Flu Vaccination This Year?
No one likes a know-it-all. When such a person utters the deadly phrase "I told you so," it sets everyones' teeth on edge. It is, therefore, with complete awareness that I am going to annoy you, dear …
Will We Have a Tripledemic This Year? Health Off…
With the flu season in full swing, some public health experts are concerned about the possibility of a tripledemic. In such a scenario, three different respiratory viruses circulate at the same time…