The CDC has been tracking the spread of H5 avian flu since last March. And while it doesn’t typically affect humans, experts are encouraging flu vaccines to reduce the chance of it spreading enough to mutate and better transmit between people.
“You can manage yourself better,” said Tom Leggett with Sonora Quest, whose labs are offering free COVID-19 and flu tests to uninsured Arizonans. “You know whether you have a flu, or if you don't have the flu or COVID, then you might have something that would respond to an antibiotic. “
Leggett added that there are also some free medications available, like Paxlovid, to treat COVID. And that while the CDC is paying for testing, he said, it's ultimately up to patients to seek out care.
“It’s simply you’re positive or you’re negative,” said Leggett. “And then you can figure out the type of treatment based off the severity of the symptoms that you have.”
While the flu vaccine doesn’t protect against bird flu, experts have emphasized that staying generally healthy – including seasonal injections – can keep both forms at bay.
-
On Wednesday, members of the Arizona vulnerable-adult study committee debated whether cameras should be allowed in group homes, such as assisted living. -
The Arizona Department of Health Services has reported more than 900 cases of whooping cough throughout 2025 — the highest case count in the state in 12 years. -
As Congress debates extensions for subsidies for Obamacare health plans, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes says abortion restrictions should not be part of the negotiation. -
On Oct. 1, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, AHCCCS, Arizona’s Medicaid agency, began reimbursing for traditional healing services, making Arizona one of the first states to do so. -
A new study by Phoenix’s Barrow Neurological Institute is leading to changes in how migraine patients are treated in emergency rooms across the U.S.
