Flu

Experts from the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommend enhanced protection measures against the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

A few key points differentiate between the symptoms of a cold, flu, or possible COVID-19 infection.

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergy, hay fever, and the common cold.

A new poll shows that this year 64% of individuals between aged 50 and 64 years say they already got or are likely to get their influenza shots up from 54% last year.

Overall vaccine efficacy was 54.6%, which met the pre-specified endpoint for success and showed benefit across 3 influenza seasons and all 8 countries.

Mild dengue fever causes a high fever and flu-like symptoms.

Walgreens Chief Medical Officer Kevin Ban, MD, said the Walgreens 2021-2022 Flu Index is showing high flu activity in several regions of the country.

Symptoms of bird flu include cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, and shortness of breath.

Dextromethorphan works on the part of the brain responsible for the cough reflex.

Study results show that individuals who were vaccinated against the flu were 37% less likely to be hospitalized and 82% less likely to be admitted to the ICU that those who were unvaccinated.

The approval marks the first and only cell-based influenza vaccine approved in the United States.

The study aimed to examine the impact of masking and social distancing practices used to control the spread of COVID-19.

There is a real opportunity for technology to alleviate some of the administrative burdens pharmacists face so that they have more time to focus on patient care.

Samples for the test are isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs, anterior nasal swabs, and mid-turbinate swabs.

Labcorp’s collection kit can simultaneously detect the coronavirus and influenza A/B in individuals aged 2 years and older, and results can be determined in 1 to 2 days.

With the arrival of flu and cold season, note the differences between symptoms for both illnesses.

The researchers noted the importance of maintaining vaccination rates for conditions that can lead to respiratory issues, especially with COVID-19 cases still raising concern throughout the United States.

Laura Lee Hall, PhD, president of the Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality and Equity (SHC), discusses the SHC’s recently released Flu DRIVE Toolkit, which was designed to help overburdened health systems improve flu vaccination rates among vulnerable populations.

Aaron Clark, DO, medical director of value based care at Ohio State University and clinical associate professor of family medicine, discusses vaccine hesitancy and racial disparities around flu vaccinations.

Doug Long, vice president of industry relations at IQVIA, and Scott Biggs, director of supplier services, discussed their session at the 2021 National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Total Store Expo titled "Pharmaceutical Trends, Issues, and Forecasts."

Doses of the influenza live, intranasal (Flumist Quadrivalent, AstraZeneca) vaccine are now available in the United States in time for the 2021-2022 influenza season.

In an interview with Pharmacy Times®, Sachin Nagrani, MD, medical director at the home visit and telemedicine service Heal, discusses the Biden administration's announcement that booster shots will soon be available for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and what this would mean for patients and practitioners.

Coadministration of the flu vaccine with other immunizations traditionally offered during flu season that pharmacies should continue to encourage.

Walgreens also announced expanded age eligibility for flu shots, with pharmacy team members able to vaccinate patients 3 years of age and older.

Jennifer Adams, PharmD, EdD, leads discussion on reasons for the mild flu season this previous year and share predictions for the upcoming flu season.

This week’s recommendation by the Biden administration for booster shots to combat COVID-19 is a call to action for pharmacists to get ready for the upcoming flurry of activity.

Experts anticipate a return to high influenza rates as COVID-19 prevention measures decline.