Influenza Virus Symptoms

When it comes to spotting — and even stopping — cancer, your primary care physician (PCP) plays a critical role. Whether they're providing a referral for screening, checking out an unusual mole or addressing any concern that's out of the ordinary, PCPs do much more than conduct your annual check-up or address minor ailments. "Screening is the best way to catch several types of cancer early, and that's one of our roles in primary care," said University of Chicago Medicine primary care doctor Laurence Gordon, DO*, who explained the ways he and other PCPs can help. 1. Monitoring your overall health over time Most PCPs have known their patients for several years, making them well-informed about a person's health status and their family history of cancer. Routine and recurring tests to measure blood pressure, heart rate and weight — as well as physical exams and blood tests — give your PCP a wealth of important data at each visit. Gordon is always on the ...

The winter months often mean getting cozy by a fire or drinking your favorite warm beverage. However, the cold weather can also bring a lot more sniffles and illness. While many of us have let down our guard with COVID-19, it's still circulating in our community. And now, it's also flu season. Here is some information from our UC Davis Health experts to help keep you safe this winter. Are there different COVID-19 symptoms and flu symptoms? Both the flu and COVID-19 are contagious respiratory illnesses. But they are caused by different viruses. Symptoms of COVID-19 and flu can be very similar, and people can have both at the same time. Here are a couple differing symptoms: COVID can cause diarrhea for all ages (typically only children have diarrhea when they get the flu). Change in or loss of taste and smell is more common with COVID-19. Infants, children and teens are most likely to get sick from the flu. But it's important to note that anyone at any...

A little more than a century ago, one of the most deadly viruses in recorded history took a toll on communities around the world including British Columbia. The Spanish influenza epidemic had three distinct waves of infection. The first wave began in the spring of 1918. This was followed by a second wave in the fall of 1918 and a third wave which began in the fall of 1919 but had its peak in the spring of 1920. The first wave, which was also the least deadly, did not reach British Columbia. The first official case of Spanish influenza in the province was recorded on Oct. 5, 1918 and was part of the second wave of infection. At that time, the province recommended closing schools, churches and other social events. "The health authorities are seemingly taking every precaution to guard against the epidemic getting a foot-hold in this province," said Dr. F.W. Andrew, Summerland's medical health officer at the time. "It would be a serious m...

After scoring approval as the world's first pneumococcal disease vaccine made specifically for adults earlier this month, Merck's Capvaxive passed the next test in its bid to take on Pfizer and its dominant Prevnar franchise. At a meeting this week, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) gave a unanimous vote, with one abstention, in favor of the vaccine in millions of adults. Specifically, the vaccine experts recommended the shot for adults 65 and older who have not yet received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, plus for those 19 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors. Adults 19 years old and up who have started their pneumococcal vaccine series with Pfizer's Prevnar 13 but have not received all of the recommended Merck's Pneumovax 23 doses are also included in ACIP's endorsement. "The ACIP vote recognizes the clinical profile of Capvaxive for ...

The dog days of summer might be in full swing, but for flu vaccine makers, its a busy time prepping for this fall's influenza season. CSL Seqirus said it kicked off influenza vaccine shipments on July 9, when it began to ship out its three options, according to a press release. The company's portfolio includes unique offerings such as Flucelvax, the "first and only" cell-based influenza vaccine and Fluad, which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for people 65 and older. CSL Seqirus also makes the egg-based vaccine Afluria for people six months of age and older. "As we begin distributing influenza vaccines to healthcare providers throughout the U.S., it is imperative that we work to maintain high vaccination rates this season to help reduce the burden of influenza-related illnesses and the risk of severe outcomes," the drugmaker's chief hea...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] NJ: Not enough primary care doctors or Medicaid reimbursement    NJ Spotlight News

Lucien Dhooge, 63, likes to get his flu shot early every year before being around college students at the University of Washington Tacoma, where he teaches law and ethics. This year, he decided to get the new vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus at the same time, so he made an appointment earlier this month for both shots at his local Walgreens in Gig Harbor, Wash. But when he arrived at the pharmacy, he was told that the R.S.V. vaccine wasn't covered by his insurance provider, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. The out-of-pocket cost? About $330. "I'm in pretty good health, I don't have any pre-existing conditions and I'm willing to just take my chances," Mr. Dhooge said, adding, "I'm not going to pay that kind of money out of pocket." When the Food and Drug Administration approved two R.S.V. vaccines earlier this year for adults aged 60 and up, they were heralded as a potentially lifesaving breakthrough. Every year, between 6,000 and 10,000 peop...