By mid-August, the 2017 year had recorded more flu notifications across Australia than the previous five years. So why is the flu season so bad this time around?
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Articles on Flu
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New genetic technologies are letting us look at flu evolution right where it starts: within individual people, while they're sick.
This antivirus software protects health, not computers. Researchers are beginning to combat deadly infections using computer-generated antiviral proteins – a valuable tool to fight a future pandemic.
Australia needs to think about who gets the flu vaccine first before the next pandemic strikes and supplies run low.
Yelp and Twitter can help us spot food poisoning outbreaks quickly. But a new study shows the data favor some communities over others.
As we head towards flu season, many people are wondering if it's worth getting vaccinated against influenza and if so, when. Here's what you need to know.
How is it the flu has managed to stay around for so long, and why haven't we beaten it yet?
Most immunisation campaigns continue to primarily focus on infants and children, but almost 4 million Australian adults are not vaccinated against preventable diseases.
Antibiotics are wrongly being prescribed for infections where they won't work and cutting this down could help combat resistance. But change isn't as easy as just providing the means.
Stay away from viruses in the early morning – and in winter.
The “common cold” is common, most of us will have at least one or two per year. Despite this, there's a lack of good research looking into it, and ways to prevent and treat it.
The flu vaccine – which prevents one from getting influenza – changes every year, because it is based on the strains of the virus that presented in the previous year.
While studies suggests that cholesterol-lowering statins can make the flu shot less effective, the vaccine remains the best available tool for reducing flu-related complications and death.
Cold and flu season is here, but getting worried about it might only hurt your chances of staying healthy.
Emerging science could help us gain a better understanding of the annual phenomenon of students falling ill when they head back to uni.
You wake up and feel under the weather. If you're vomiting or have a fever, the decision to stay at home is probably clear cut. But what if you generally feel unwell but are torn about missing work?
Viruses cause all kinds of infections from relatively mild cases of the flu to deadly outbreaks of Ebola. Clearly, not all viruses are equal and one of these differences is when you can infect others.
Australia's in the middle of the annual flu season and once again, it's claimed to the worst on record. But why is it that every season seems to outdo previous ones and how bad is this year, really?
As we move into winter, the cold mornings, dark evenings and rain tend to bring out the best excuses to miss a session at the gym or run around the park.
Pharmacies have aisles full of cold and flu tablets. But which product is the best one for you? And will it really help you feel better?
Top contributors
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Professor (Adjunct) in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Australian National University
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Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, UNSW
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Ian M. Mackay is a Friend of The Conversation.
Adjunct assistant professor, The University of Queensland
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Virologist, The University of Queensland
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Research Fellow, American University School of Public Affairs
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Peter C. Doherty is a Friend of The Conversation.
Laureate Professor, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
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Professor and Head of Clinical Research, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, University of Sydney
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Deputy Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
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General Practitioner, and Senior Lecturer, UNSW
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Infectious Diseases Physician, Senior Lecturer, James Cook University and, The University of Queensland
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Professor in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Monash University
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Professor, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Sydney
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PhD Candidate, School of Public Health, University of Sydney
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Epidemiologist, UNSW
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Associate Dean For Global One Health, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences; and Director, Pandemic and Biosecurity Policy Program, Scowcroft Institute for International Affairs, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University
