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03 September 2012 09:51
Evidence flu can be caught before symptoms appear is mounting
New research suggests flu viruses may be transmitted before any symptoms appear. A study of ferrets carried out by scientists at Imperial College London supports previous studies showing viral particles carried in mucus droplets can be expelled into the air not only via coughing and sneezing but also as a result of normal breathing.
People who have seen holidays blighted by a bout of the flu will be interested in the findings, however those suffering other health problems too should still arrange pre-existing medical travel insurance. The study published in online journal PLoS ONE, is the first of its kind to explore non-symptomatic flu transmission in an animal. Ferrets with flu were put near healthy ferrets for short periods of time at various stages post-infection and even before the flu carriers began to display fever symptoms the virus was transmitted. The animals - which show similar symptoms to humans and are susceptible to similar virus strains - are often used in flu research.
Professor Wendy Barclay, lead researcher at Imperial College, said: "This result has important implications for pandemic planning strategies. It means that the spread of flu is very difficult to control, even with self-diagnosis and measures such as temperature screens at airports. It also means that doctors and nurses who don't get the flu jab are putting their patients at risk because they might pass on an infection when they don't know they're infected."
22 September 2017
A new computer code that can be applied to GP surgery data could be the answer to identifying those most at risk of developing bowel cancer.
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21 September 2017
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning over a growing resistance to antibiotics.
20 September 2017
Thousands of Ryanair flights have been cancelled over the next six weeks, as the airline says it "messed up" allocation of its pilots' annual leave.
19 September 2017
Manchester's Girlguides are being urged to help the elderly with a new badge incentivising youngsters to tackle senior loneliness.
16 September 2017
Holidaymakers are being evacuated as winds up to 200km per hour hit Central Vietnam, with Typhoon Doksuri damaging houses, roads and infrastructure.
15 September 2017
People in parts of East Anglia are eight times more likely to survive liver disease than Blackpool residents, according to new data by Public Health England (PHE).
14 September 2017
A non-invasive alternative to gastric bypass surgery that helps people with Type 2 diabetes lose weight is being recommended for widespread use by NHS experts.
13 September 2017
Almost half of UK adults travelling to areas at risk of malaria are not covering themselves by taking medication, despite recommendations made by the NHS and world health organisations.
12 September 2017
A new health warning has been issued by scientists in Sweden, suggesting e-cigarettes with nicotine could lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
09 September 2017
Researchers have developed a futuristic pen-like device that can tell whether someone has cancer much faster than current technology.
08 September 2017
A staffing crisis in the NHS is seeing cancer patients turned away from their GP surgery and instead visiting A&E, a report has claimed.
07 September 2017
Whether it's binge-watching box-sets, shopping for clothes, chatting to friends or picking up work emails, staying connected is pretty much essential to everyday life.