Influenza

April 7, 2022

Study explores parents’ reluctance to flu, COVID vaccines for children

Vanderbilt research found parents who are reluctant to vaccinate their children against the flu are more than five times as likely to decline the COVID-19 vaccine for their children.

By Jessica Pasley
March 17, 2022

Study compares kidney injury risk for COVID, flu patients

A Vanderbilt study found that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAASi) inhibitor drugs, which are commonly used to regulate high blood pressure, do not disproportionately increase the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with COVID-19 compared to patients hospitalized with influenza.

By Emily Stembridge
February 24, 2022

Study to explore neurologic impact of flu treatment

A Vanderbilt study will explore the neurologic and psychiatric complications of flu and evaluate adverse effects of the antiviral treatment oseltamivir, also known by the brand name Tamiflu.

By Jessica Pasley
Vials with medication and syringe on blue methacrylate table. Horizontal composition. Top elevated view.
January 6, 2022

Grant boosts vaccine effectiveness research

By Nancy Humphrey
November 3, 2021

COVID testing recommended for flu-like symptoms

Vanderbilt physicians recommend COVID testing for people who think they may have the flu because the symptoms for both infections overlap.

By Paul Govern
October 4, 2021

Neurologic complications of the flu

Neurologic complications are common in children hospitalized with influenza, especially those with chronic neurologic conditions, and are associated with worse outcomes.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 22, 2021

Influenza network sizes up COVID

Hospital data from a CDC network that monitors influenza revealed that adults hospitalized for COVID-19 in the early months of the pandemic were 20x more likely to die compared to hospitalized influenza patients.
By Paul Govern
September 24, 2020

Questions, answers on flu season and COVID

Infectious diseases specialist Thomas Talbot, MD, MPH, chief hospital epidemiologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, answers questions about the rapidly approaching U.S. flu season and how it might play into the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Paul Govern
August 18, 2020

Flu shots available beginning week of Sept. 7

This year’s effort by Vanderbilt University Medical Center to protect its people from influenza will be the most important in a century. With COVID-19 already prevalent, consuming precious health care resources, endangering lives, and so far, killing more than 170,000 Americans, this is not the year to shun getting a flu vaccine.
By John Howser
August 10, 2020

Occupational Health invites you to name this year’s flu vaccine campaign

In 2011 Vanderbilt University Medical Center received worldwide attention for doubling the Guinness World Record for the number of flu shots given in an 8-hour period, making its annual flu vaccine event, Flulapalooza, a model for others to follow.
By VUMC News and Communications
March 23, 2020

Cellular factor helps package flu genome

New insights on influenza genome packaging could guide strategies for interfering with the virus’s life cycle and ability to cause infection.
By Leigh MacMillan
January 13, 2020

Home with a cold or the flu? It’s OK to snuggle with your pet, infectious disease doctor says.

Dogs and cats can't catch or spread human disease and "are a comfort, not a hazard"
By Wayne Wood
December 12, 2019

When should you take your child to the emergency room for cold or flu symptoms?

The majority of emergency room visits can be averted with a call or visit to a pediatrician
By Jessica Pasley