PulmonaryInfo Center

Bird Flu Vaccine Approved
Talk of bird flu may make people a little nervous. So many will likely be relieved to hear that the US government has approved a vaccine to protect against one strain of the virus.
How Vaccines Have Changed Disease Rates
Sometimes it's easy to forget how common many diseases were before vaccines for them were introduced. When the disease is not around, people may not notice as much.
Impact of the H1N1 Flu Pandemic
In 2009, there were concerns across the world about the H1N1 flu. It turns out that, overall, death rates from this flu pandemic weren't worse than those of other flu seasons — at least for some.
Antivirals May Help Kids Fight the Flu
One of the best ways to avoid the flu is to get the annual flu vaccine. Yet many children will still get the flu each year and possibly need hospitalization. Can antivirals help?
How Doctors Prescribe Antibiotics to Kids
In the past, it wasn't uncommon for kids to be prescribed antibiotics for almost any respiratory infection. Now doctors are more careful about prescribing them only when necessary.
Little Lungs May Struggle When Born a Little Early
It's already understood that babies born very early are at a higher risk for respiratory problems. Yet even being a week or two early might increase this risk slightly.
A New Type of Bird Flu
Bird flu is often talked about as if it's one disease, but there are a variety of avian influenza strains, some of which have been discovered in humans and some of which have only been seen in birds. The authors of a new study took a close look at the first reported human patient with the H6N1 bird flu strain.
Flu More Dangerous for Some
The flu is a very common illness that affects all different types of people. But it may be more dangerous for some.
The Most Serious Flu Consequences
It's flu season again, and there are ways to protect your children against the flu. A recent study revealed how serious the flu can be.
Flu Vaccine Rates Lower Than Desired
For years, health officials have been aiming to increase rates of flu vaccination across the US each flu season. While new data shows that more and more people seem to be getting vaccinated, the rates of the increases are slower than desired.