Flu

Medical Superintendent, Dr Tony Harry, told the Vanuatu Daily Post the exact number of deaths cannot be confirmed as some of the dead had underlying illnesses as well as the flu virus.

He said Vila Central Hospital has been busy round the clock receiving flu patients of all ages, though most are babies.

Dr Harry said those with flu symptoms such as fever, sore throats and headaches were advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Men, especially in the older age group, and people living in the most deprived areas, were also more also vulnerable to premature death.

Influenza kills about 500 New Zealanders each year and probably the biggest single infectious disease killer, the study from the University of Otago, Wellington said.

Researchers found that in the 65-79 year age group, Māori were 3.6 times more likely to die of influenza than those of European or other ethnicity.

And yet, like with most people, it is probably something you haven't spent much time thinking about. After all, it is human nature to avoid being consumed by hypotheticals until they are staring us squarely in the face.

Such is the case with a highly lethal flu pandemic. And when it comes, it will affect every human alive today.

I've cried more times today than I can count. You'd think by now, I could go days without crying, but I can't get over the guilt.

Shannon's only complaint was a sore throat. Her fever wasn't even scary.

I spent (wasted is a better word) most of my morning Googling flu information again today. The complex science of mutating viruses leaves me boggled. If I can't make sense of it, how can I explain the importance of stopping the flu to others?

After more than two years, my husband Terry and I haven't said the "D" word yet.

We say "she went to heaven."

The sunshine vitamin is vital for healthy bones, but also has a role in the immune system.

The analysis, published in the British Medical Journal, argues food should be fortified with the vitamin.

But Public Health England (PHE) says the infections data is not conclusive, although it does recommend supplements.

These, it says, should be taken for improved bone and muscle health.

Now, a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Virology is shedding some light on exactly how cold weather and the spread of viruses are linked.

It turns out, seasonal flu outbreaks first appear each year about a week after the winter's first cold spell -- or at least that's what happened in Sweden, over the course of three years when researchers tracked weather patterns and the prevalence of the virus.

The experts said many thousands of patients had received treatment that may have done no good at all.

They are calling for comprehensive trials during the next pandemic, with some patients receiving the drug and others being given routine care.

The report was put together by the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Together with the Wellcome Trust the team reviewed all recent evidence on Tamiflu.

Their new analysis suggests the antiviral pills are helpful in certain, limited circumstances - for example for people unwell in hospital with seasonal flu.