Influenza

The Healio Editors have compiled a list of the most-read news in pulmonology published in February.

A nudge intended to remind general practice residents to receive an influenza vaccine, though deemed “acceptable,” did not increase uptake, according to researchers.

According to the CDC, influenza activity this season has been “unusually low,” with rates of hospitalization as of late January that were similar to 2011-2012 — the least severe season in the past decade.

The fast and successful development of COVID-19 vaccines has generated hope for new and effective vaccines for other infectious diseases, including influenza.

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 had a mortality risk that was nearly 3.5 times higher than those hospitalized with influenza, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Influenza vaccine-provided immunity declines by around 10% each month following vaccination, according to study results published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. Researchers said September or October are the best months to get the shot.

Shelter-in-place orders at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. appear to be associated with significantly lower rates of common community respiratory viruses, including influenza and rhinovirus.

Approximately 419,000 people in the United States have died of COVID-19 — more lives lost than during World War II.

A study found that older and immunosuppressed patients are at an increased risk for influenza vaccine failure and influenza complications, researchers reported.

CABG or surgical AVR procedures may be safe to perform even in the worst of influenza seasons, according to research published in JAMA Network Open.