Cold and Flu News & Features
- U.S. Bird Flu Outbreak: What You Need to Know
April 5, 2024 — Bird flu has infected several dairy cattle herds across the U.S. Here's what to know about the outbreak and if you should be concerned about it.
- Older People Should Get Another COVID Booster Before Summer
People ages 65 and older should get a COVID-19 booster vaccination 4 months after their last one, the CDC advised Wednesday.
- CDC: Flu Levels Stay High While COVID Declines
February 26, 2024 — Influenza levels remain elevated in the U.S., while COVID-19 levels keep declining, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last Friday in weekly updates.
- Your Co-worker or Fellow Plane Passenger May Be Sick and Lying to You
Getting sick brings on more than sniffles or a fever. For most people, it brings out the sneaky in them. An impressive 75% of people admitted they have concealed an infectious illness in a new study.
- Your Co-worker or Fellow Plane Passenger May Be Sick and Lying to You
January 30, 2024 — Getting sick brings on more than sniffles or a fever. For most people, it brings out the sneaky in them. An impressive 75% of people admitted they have concealed an infectious illness in a new study.
- Flu Rates Swell Post-Holidays, but COVID Is Less Severe: CDC
January 8, 2024 — Flu season continues to worsen nationwide, as 38 states have high or very high levels of the respiratory virus known for causing an onslaught of symptoms like a fever, sore throat, runny nose, and body aches.
- More Evidence Suggests That ‘Long Flu’ Is a Thing
You may have never heard of it, but you may have had it. More evidence points to "long flu" being a real phenomenon, with a large study showing symptoms persist at least 4 weeks or more after some people are hospitalized for the flu.
- More Evidence Suggests That ‘Long Flu’ Is a Thing
December 19, 2023 — You may have never heard of it, but you may have had it. More evidence points to "long flu" being a real phenomenon, with a large study showing symptoms persist at least 4 weeks or more after some people are hospitalized for the flu.
- Do You Have the Flu, RSV, COVID, or a Cold?
Winter is almost here, and with it may come runny noses, coughing, and congestion. But how do you know if you just have a common cold, or if you have one or more of the three respiratory viruses that make up the “tripledemic” – RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), COVID-19, and influenza?
- CDC Says Flu Cases Rising, 12,000 Hospitalized
November 28, 2023 — The rate of flu infections keeps rising in the U.S., according to the latest report from the CDC. Seasonal influenza activity continues to increase in most parts of the country, most notably in the South Central, Southeast, Mountain, and West Coast regions.
- Do You Have the Flu, RSV, COVID, or a Cold?
November 22, 2023 — Winter is almost here, and with it may come runny noses, coughing, and congestion. But how do you know if you just have a common cold, or if you have one or more of the three respiratory viruses that make up the “tripledemic” – RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), COVID-19, and influenza?
- Flu Cases Climbing as We Return to a More ‘Typical’ Season
November 14, 2023 — Seasonal influenza activity is increasing in most parts of the country, primarily in the South Central, Southeast, and West Coast regions, the CDC said.
- Needle-Free Flu Vaccine for Home Use May Be Approved Next Year
October 27, 2023 — A self-administered nasal spray flu vaccine could be available next season. Drug-maker AstraZeneca announced that the FDA is currently considering approving the needle-free option for home use.
- CVS Halts Sale of Decongestants That FDA Panel Said May Not Work
October 20, 2023 — CVS Health is removing some nasal decongestants from its shelves after influential experts said this year that an ingredient in the products is ineffective.
- Study Suggests Long Cold, Long Flu Exist Just Like Long COVID
October 6, 2023 — Long COVID isn’t the only respiratory illness that has symptoms that can interfere with daily life for weeks on end. A new study finds that lingering symptoms from the common cold or the flu also can negatively impact people’s lives long-term.
- 12 Tips for Nighttime Cough Relief
Coughs tend to feel worse at night and can keep you from sleeping. Learn ways to manage them.
- Moderna’s mRNA Flu Vaccine Could Be Ready for Next Flu Season
September 13, 2023 — Moderna announced Wednesday that its experimental mRNA-based flu vaccine creates a better immune response against four influenza strains than the currently approved flu vaccine called Fluarix.
- Australia’s Flu Season Doesn’t Bode Well For U.S.
June 15, 2023 — A recent spike in flu activity in Australia, which is in the midst of its flu season, has U.S. health officials on alert. That’s because flu activity Down Under can help predict how severe the U.S. flu season will be.
- Flu Season Ends Not With a Bang but a Whimper
March 10, 2023 — The 2022-23 flu season lingered through the second half of January and most of February at the edge of its defined existence, but it now appears to be over.
- This Season’s Flu Shot Cut Hospitalization Risk in Half
February 23, 2023 — The flu vaccine has been highly effective this year, the CDC says, despite flu season getting off to one of the earliest and strongest starts on record.
- Nearly 40% of U.S. Households Affected by 'Tripledemic'
February 7, 2023 — In about 40% of U.S. households during the holiday season, at least one person got sick with one of the trifecta of respiratory illnesses referred to as the tripledemic, a new survey shows.
- The Future of At-Home Testing: Flu, RSV Rapid Tests Are Coming
February 2, 2023 — The FDA says it is confident that at-home rapid tests like those for COVID-19 are forthcoming for flu and RSV.
- Flu, RSV on Decline, but COVID Deaths Persist
January 30, 2023 — Respiratory illness levels in the U.S. have declined so much in recent weeks that they are approaching numbers usually seen during non-flu season.
- 'Tripledemic' Cases Decline in U.S. Hospitals
January 23, 2023 — A 'tripledemic' surge of COVID, flu, and RSV cases peaked before the New Year and is now in decline, according to data released by the CDC.
- Why Doesn't the U.S. Have at-Home Tests for the Flu?
January 11, 2023 — Americans are now accustomed to buying at-home COVID-19 test kits, swabbing, waiting, and interpreting the results themselves. But what about at-home tests for the flu?
- Flu Cases Fall, But Not Admissions and Deaths
January 9, 2023 — The proportion of visits for respiratory illness drops for the fifth consecutive week since peaking in late November.
- What We’ve Learned About COVID-19 and Cold and Flu Season
The COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder predict how this year’s cold and flu season will play out. Here’s what you need to know.
- Treating a Cold or Flu When You Have COVID-19
It’s possible to catch COVID-19 and a cold or flu at the same time. Here are tips on how to feel better with a coinfection.
- What Your Mucus Says About Your Health
Yes, mucus – or snot, or phlegm – is gross, but it has vital clues about your health. Learn what it might be telling you and when to see a doctor.
- Teach Your Kids to Avoid Colds
Kids spread germs like it’s their job. But teaching them these simple habits will help them – and your family – stay well and head off colds and flu.
- Who Needs the Flu Vaccine?
Many new shots have been pointed our way since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Here's why you still need a flu shot.
- The Germiest Places in Your Community
Germs are everywhere, but some places and things are germ hot spots. Learn how to stay healthy wherever you go.
- Beware of Workplace Germs
Germs live and thrive in the workplace. Find out about germ hot spots, when contamination is at its worst, and how to protect yourself.
- How Do You Catch a Cold or the Flu?
Arm yourself with these helpful facts to stay healthy all year long.
- The 'Man Cold': Do Guys Really React Differently to Colds?
Is there any truth to the belief that men handle having a cold differently than women?
- The Truth Behind Mom's Cold and Flu Advice
Mom has a lot of advice when it comes to cold and flu. Here's what she's right about.
- Tips to Help You Manage a Weakened Immune System
If your immune system is weak due to illness, chemotherapy, HIV, or for other reasons, use these tips to take care of yourself so you stay as healthy as possible.
- How to Stop a Cold
Before your sniffles morph into a nasty sinus, chest, or ear infection, here's how to fight back.
- 6 Tips for Sound Sleep When You Have a Cold
Too stuffy to sleep? Try these tricks to breathe easier and sleep better when you’re sick.
- Is It a Cold or the Flu?
Do you know the difference between a cold and the flu?
- Getting to the Bottom of a Sore Throat
How can you figure out what’s causing your sore throat?
- Myths vs. Facts About Your Immune System
What do you really know when it comes to boosting your immune system and fighting off a cold?
- Soothe Dry Skin When You Have a Cold
Tips to heal dry, chapped skin, nose, and lips.
- How to Look Your Best When You Have a Cold
Snuggle up! Getting enough sleep can help your beauty routine when you have a cold.
- Soothe a Nighttime Cough
Are you up at night coughing because of a cold or flu? Find out how to soothe your nighttime cough.
- Get Through Your Day With a Cough or Cold
Survival strategies if you can't stay in bed and rest while you're sick with a cold.
- Cold and Flu Season: Limit the Spread of Germs
Use these tips to stop the spread of colds or the flu when someone in your house gets sick.
- Should I Go to the Clinic for a Cold or Flu?
You have a terrible cold –- maybe even the flu. Do you know when to see a doctor?
- Cough Medicine: Should You or Shouldn’t You?
Do cough medicines really work? Get the facts on cough medicine effectiveness and side effects.