Vol. 1, Issue 8 ‣ November 2024
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The cold and flu season is upon us.
Flu season tends to peak in the winter months, between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you have not stocked up yet on necessary testing supplies for your laboratory, we are listing a few key items that you may want to grab now.
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According to Flu.com, some scientists hypothesize that humans probably acquired influenza when they began domesticating animals like birds and pigs. The rise of agriculture and permanent settlement provided ideal conditions to trigger a flu epidemic.
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In 412 BCE, the Greek physician Hippocrates describes a highly contagious disease with flu-like symptoms in his sixth book of “Epidemics.” Modern doctors suggest this may be the first reference of influenza.
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In 1357, people called an epidemic in Florence, Italy “influenza di freddo,” which translates to, “cold influence.” This may be a reference to the possible cause of the disease. Many astrologers in the Middle Ages believed that the periodic return of the disease was related to the, "influence of heavenly bodies" or "influenza di stelle," meaning "influence of the stars."
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Most epidemiologists agree that the 1580 influenza outbreak is the earliest recorded flu pandemic. It began in Asia during the summer before spreading to Africa, Europe, and eventually across the seas to the Americas. While the total death toll is unknown, it killed 8,000 people in Rome.
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Discover the history of influenza's most significant outbreaks, including the deadly pandemics that shaped modern understanding of viral transmission and prevention.. Click to learn more.
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Product Spotlight:
TransPRO™ VTM Kit
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TransPRO™ VTM is recommended for the preservation of viral agents including influenza A, influenza B, adenovirus, and echovirus.
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- Manufactured in the USA.
- Room temperature stable (see IFU for details).
- Each kit contains one (1) tube of TransPRO™ VTM (3ml fill) and one (1) individually wrapped, sterile, nasopharyngeal swab with a scored mark on the shaft for ease of breaking.
- Packaged in an easy-to-use specimen collection peel pouch kit.
- Viral transport media contains antibiotics and antifungal agents to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth within patient samples.
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Quick Facts About Influenza
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Segmented Genome Advantage
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Influenza’s segmented genome allows it to rapidly mutate and reassort, especially during coinfections, leading to new strains.
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The Role of Sialic Acid Receptors
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The virus binds to sialic acid receptors on the surface of host cells. Subtle differences in these receptors influence host range and tissue specificity.
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‘Cytokine Storms’ in Severe Cases
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Severe flu infections can trigger excessive immune responses or “cytokine storms,” causing more harm than the virus itself.
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Influenza viruses exist as quasispecies, a cloud of closely related mutations within a host, giving them adaptability under immune pressure.
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Video/Catalog Spotlight:
TransPRO™ VTM / Influenza
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See our collection of Viral Videos and Catalogs
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Hardy Diagnostics' Viral Transport Medium (VTM) is intended for the collection and transport of clinical specimens for the preservation of viral agents including Influenza A, Influenza B, Adenovirus and Echovirus from the collection site to the testing laboratory. Hardy Diagnostics' VTM is a culture-based media that is intended to be used in standard laboratory procedures for virus culture and diagnostics assays that utilize stable recoverable infectious viral particles.
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The Hardy Diagnostics COVID-19 and Influenza Testing Catalog provides an overview of diagnostic solutions, including rapid tests, molecular assays, and collection devices for the detection of COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and other respiratory pathogens. It includes information on product types, applications, and performance features designed for accurate and efficient diagnostics in clinical settings. You can view the full catalog here for detailed product descriptions and ordering information.
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Megan is an award-winning journalist, marketer, and current Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Marketing Product Manager at Hardy Diagnostics, brings over 20 years of experience in brand management, healthcare marketing, and communications to her role.
If you have any suggestions for content, a comment, or a question, please contact Megan here.
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"A Culture of Service"
Hardy Diagnostics, 1430 West McCoy Lane, Santa Maria, CA, 93455, USA, +1.800.266.2222
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