Study Reveals How New Respiratory Virus Spreads

WEDNESDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) -- The new respiratory virus responsible for an ongoing outbreak in the Middle East poses a serious risk to hospitals because it is easily transmitted in health care facilities, according to a new study.

Flu Vaccine Protects Millions Annually: CDC

WEDNESDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) -- Flu shots likely prevented 13 million illnesses and more than 110,000 hospitalizations in the United States between 2005 and 2011, according to a new study.

Many U.S. Adults Under-Vaccinated Against Whooping Cough, Survey Finds

WEDNESDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) -- Whooping cough cases are escalating in the United States, and many American adults are unknowingly exposing vulnerable babies to the potentially deadly disease because their vaccinations are not up to date, a new survey finds.

Saliva May Improve With Age for Flu Protection

FRIDAY, June 14 (HealthDay News) -- Certain proteins in saliva help protect seniors from influenza, according to a new study from China.

Early, Severe Flu Season Caused Big Rise in Child Deaths: CDC

THURSDAY, June 13 (HealthDay News) -- This past flu season started earlier, peaked earlier and led to more adult hospitalizations and child deaths than most flu seasons, U.S. health officials reported Thursday.

Blood Tests May Predict COPD Flare-Ups

TUESDAY, June 11 (HealthDay News) -- People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who have signs of chronic inflammation in their blood are more likely to have flare-ups of the lung disease than those who do not, a large new study shows.

Chronic Illness Afflicts Most Childhood-Cancer Survivors, Study Finds

TUESDAY, June 11 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly all adult survivors of childhood cancer have at least one chronic health problem, according to a new study.

Cutting Unneeded CT Scans in Kids Could Lower Future Cancer Risk

MONDAY, June 10 (HealthDay News) -- Reducing the number of unnecessary and high-dose CT scans given to children could cut their lifetime risk of associated cancers by as much as 62 percent, according to a new study.

Flu Shots at School Boost Vaccination Rates, Study Finds

MONDAY, June 10 (HealthDay News) -- Offering flu shots at elementary schools could reduce the number of flu cases and deaths among children, a new study suggests.

Summer Camp Health Tips for Parents

SATURDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- Regular hand washing and proper hygiene are essential to avoiding common summer-camp health issues such as lice, pinworm and bathing-suit dermatitis, according to a former summer camp physician.