Global Warming May Double Pollen by 2040

If you're allergic to pollen, brace yourself.

Hormones in Menstrual Cycle 'Affect Asthma'

A woman's menstrual cycle affects the severity of respiratory symptoms, potentially worsening conditions such as asthma, a study suggests.

Norwegian researchers studied almost 4,000 women, and found worse symptoms around ovulation.

Writing in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, they said it may be possible to adapt women's medication.

Asthma UK said it could help women with asthma manage their condition better.

All the women studied had regular menstrual cycles lasting 28 days or less, and none were taking hormonal contraceptives.

Does Tamiflu Work? Questions Continue

Does the blockbuster flu drug Tamiflu really work?

Food Allergies Linked to Pesticides

People exposed to higher levels of certain germ- and weed-killing chemicals may also be more likely to develop food allergies, a new study shows.

Oral Contraceptives May Help Treat Asthma

Study Shows Oral Contraceptives May Benefit Some Premenstrual Women

Fertility Treatment 'Asthma Link'

Children born after fertility treatments, such as IVF, may have a slightly higher chance of developing asthma, research suggests.

In a study of more than 13,000 UK children, five-years-olds were about twice as likely to have asthma if they were not conceived naturally.

The children were also more likely to need medication, which could be an indication of more severe asthma.

The findings were published in the journal Human Reproduction.

What Cancer Patients Need to Know About the Flu

What do cancer patients and survivors need to know about the flu? WebMD asked Lisa Richardson, MD, associate director for science in the CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.

FDA Approves Tamiflu for Infants

Children as young as 2 weeks old may now be treated for the flu with Tamiflu.

The FDA expanded its approval today for Tamiflu to include infants under age 1 who have had symptoms of the flu, such as stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, fever, and body aches, for no longer than two days.

It is not approved to prevent flu infection in this age group.

Tamiflu is now the only drug approved to treat the flu in children under age 1, who are at higher risk of developing complications of the flu.

Antibiotics 'Ineffective for Coughs'

Antibiotics are ineffective in treating patients with persistent coughs caused by mild chest infections, the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal reports.

About 2,000 patients across 12 European countries filled in an 'illness' diary.

The study found that the severity and duration of symptoms in patients treated with antibiotics were no different to those given a placebo.

But experts caution that if pneumonia is suspected, antibiotics should still be used due to the disease's severity.