Uncategorized

• A new study reports that there is an association between ultra-processed foods and the risk of developing polyps that could progress into colorectal cancer in women under the age of 50.
• Experts say these findings back up previous research on unhealthy diets and colorectal cancer, but they said the risks also apply to men.
• They recommend a balanced diet of nutrient-rich foods that includes whole grains and fruits and vegetables of various colors.

A new study found an association between ultra-processed foods and the risk of polyps that may grow into colorectal cancer — or “colorectal cancer precursors” — in women under the age of 50.

Female participants who had the highest intake of ultra-processed foods had a 45% higher risk of developing precancerous colon polyps than participants with a lower intake of ultra-processed foods.

The report was published on November 13, 2025, in JAMA Oncology.

“These data highlight the important role of [ultra-processed foods] in early-onset colorectal tumorigenesis and support improving dietary quality as a strategy to mitigate the increasing burden of [early onset colorectal cancer],” the study authors wrote.

Report backs up previous findings on early onset colorectal cancer

Experts not involved in the study told Healthline that the findings back up previous research on colorectal cancer risk in younger adults.

“There is a global epidemic with rising incidence of colorectal cancer in younger adults,” said Katherine Van Loon, MD, a specialist in gastrointestinal cancer at the University of California San Francisco. “Up to this point, there has not been a clear explanation for the rising numbers, although we have a growing body of literature that diet, obesity, and other environmental exposures may contribute to the increased risks.”

“This study elucidates another potential contributing risk factor for the development of precancerous lesions in young woman,” Van Loon noted.

“This study is in line with previous data showing a link between early onset of [colorectal cancer] and the lifestyle connections associated with this risk,” added Kristin Kirkpatrick, RD, the president of KAK Consulting and a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic Department of Wellness & Preventive Medicine in Ohio. “This is also consistent with previous data showing the general adverse impact of a high consumption of [ultra-processed foods].”

“Overall, this study adds to the growing evidence that high consumption of ultra-processed foods may play a role in early colorectal cancer development,” said Caroline Um, PhD, MPH, a principal scientist in epidemiology research at the American Cancer Society.

“Although further research is needed to confirm these findings and understand underlying mechanisms, limiting ultra-processed foods and emphasizing whole, nutrient-rich options align with current cancer prevention guidelines,” Um said.

However, Tracey Childs, MD, a specialist in general and colorectal surgery and chief of surgery at Providence Saint John’s Health Center and an adjunct associate professor of surgery at Saint John’s Cancer Institute in California, noted these findings should be expanded to include males.

“One cannot make the assessment that women are higher risk than men in developing colorectal cancer from ultra-processed foods as this study was only done in women and did not look at men at all,” Childs said.

Ultra-processed food linked to 45% higher risk of precancerous polyps

For the current study, the researchers analyzed the medical records of more than 29,000 female nurses under the age of 50 who had participated in the Nurses Health Study II.

The study participants provided baseline data in 1991. They had follow-up check-ins between June 1991 and June 2015. The median follow-up period was 13 years.

The nurses reported on their food intake the previous 12 months via questionnaires they received every 4 years.

The nurses in the study had an average age of 45 during the 24-year follow-up period. They had undergone at least one lower endoscopy before age 50 years after baseline and had no history of cancer — except for nonmelanoma skin cancer — before their endoscopy.

The researchers examined the data thus gathered between October 2024 and July 2025.

For this study, ultra-processed food intake was primarily from processed breads, breakfast foods, sauces, spreads, condiments, and sugar-sweetened or artificially sweetened beverages.

The researchers reported there were 1,189 study participants who were documented as having early-onset conventional adenomas and another 1,598 who had serrated lesions during the follow-up check-ins.

Noncancerous colorectal adenomas are growths or polyps in the colon and rectum that can lead to cancer. Serrated lesions are a type of precancerous polyp in the colon that are characterized by a serrated architecture and can be a pathway to the development of cancer.

In their study, the researchers reported that participants with the highest intake of ultra-processed foods, which was described as about 10 servings per day, had a 45% higher risk of developing adenomas by age 50 when compared with those with the lowest consumption, which was classified as about three servings per day.

There was no association observed between ultra-processed foods and serrated lesions.

Experts noted some limitations to this particular research besides the fact it only involved women. They pointed out that the information was gathered by questionnaire and that the definition of “ultra-processed” was somewhat general in nature.

Um said that alcohol was included as an ultra-processed food in this study.

“Because alcohol independently raises cancer risk, it would be helpful for future studies to examine ultra-processed food intake with and without alcohol,” she noted.

Colorectal cancer deaths rising in younger adults

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report there were nearly 150,000 cases of colorectal cancer in the United States in 2022, the latest year for which statistics are available.

The agency adds that more than 50,000 people died from the disease in 2023. Men had a higher incidence and death rate than women from colorectal cancer.

The American Cancer Society reports that the incidence of colorectal cancer has been declining in people 65 years and older. The incidence rate has remained stable for people ages 50 to 64.

However, the organization notes that colorectal cancer cases have been rising about 2% per year for U.S. adults ages 50 to 54 as well as those under the age of 50.

Previous research has concluded the obesity and diabetes are high risk factors for colorectal cancer in younger adults.

However, a December 2024 study linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods to colorectal cancer risk in men and women. So did an August 2022 study.

In addition, an April 2025 study reported that ultra-processed foods were linked to more than 120,000 preventable deaths per year in the United States.

The organization Food Tank estimates that 73% of the food supply in the United States consists of ultra-processed foods.

In addition, a 2022 study reported that almost 60% of the caloric intake of U.S. adults is ultra-processed foods.

How to reduce your colorectal cancer risk

Ultra-processed foods are described as mass-produced foods with a high level of industrially processed ingredients that are designed to ensure longer shelf lives.

Examples include commercially produced breads, most breakfast cereals, flavored yogurts, hot dogs, frozen meals, potato chips, soft drinks, and candy bars.

The study authors said that “ultra-processed foods are typically low in bioactive compounds, such as dietary fiber, vitamins, and polyphenols, and high in unhealthy fats, refined starches, and food additives such as emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners.”

They said these ingredients “could disrupt gut microbiota, increase intestinal inflammation, and contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis.”

Experts agreed. “The concept is that ultra-processed foods change the intestinal microbiome as well as enhance a pro-inflammatory environment, increasing the risk of pre-cancerous changes, which then can lead to early onset colon cancer,” said Childs.

“It’s also important to note that many ultra-processed foods contain a wide variety of additives, and we do not fully understand their effects on long-term health,” said Um.

Van Loon added that ultra-processed foods can lead to weight gain, which can also raise the risk of colorectal cancer.

“There is evidence from other research that ultra-processed foods promote excess energy intake, which can result in rapid weight gain,” she said.

A healthy, balanced diet is a key factor in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) provides dietary recommendations for all adults to reduce their cancer risk. These include consuming:

• nutrient-rich foods that help you maintain a healthy body weight
• a variety of vegetables and fruits in different colors
• whole grains.

The ACS also recommends the avoidance of:

• red and processed meats
• sugar-sweetened beverages
• highly processed foods and refined grain products
• alcohol.

Beyond diet, ACS recommends:

• maintaining a healthy body weight throughout life
• being physically active
• reducing sedentary time.

Other experts are in agreement with these guidelines.

“I recommend a diet that is low in processed meats, low in red meat, low in processed grains, and low in sugar,” said Van Loon. “Choose whole grain breads and brown rice, and try to consume sugars from healthy sources such as fruits and vegetables.”

Kirkpatrick recommended a goal of eating healthy foods 90% of the time and indulging in less healthy foods 10% of the time.

“It’s not the frozen pizza that we may have once a month that does great harm. It’s when the frozen pizza becomes dinner three times a week. The greater the frequency of consumption of [ultra-processed foods], the greater the risk,” she said.

Kristin struggled daily with overwhelming fatigue and persistent brain fog that clouded…

Content source – www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the removal of black box warnings on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatments for menopause. 
• The federal agency has requested that HRT manufacturers update wording regarding various risks, such as cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and dementia.
• Experts say removing the warnings could help reduce stigma around HRT and facilitate a dialogue between individuals and healthcare professionals. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Monday that it will remove the strictest black box warning labels for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products used to treat menopause symptoms.

Black box warnings are issued by the FDA to highlight serious risks of major injury or death associated with a medication. 

Black box warning labels have been included on HRT products for more than two decades, which the agency said has sown fear and confusion around hormone therapy, the FDA stated in a news release.

“For more than two decades, bad science and bureaucratic inertia have resulted in women and physicians having an incomplete view of HRT,” Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement. “We are returning to evidence-based medicine and giving women control over their health again.”

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH, said that millions of women have been denied the potential health benefits of HRT during menopause due to “distorted” risk factors included on the warning labels.

“For too long, issues of women’s health have been underrecognized. Women and their physicians should make decisions based on data, not fear,” Makary said in a statement.

The FDA is requesting that HRT manufacturers update the language on black box warnings pertaining to cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and dementia risks. However, the FDA is not seeking to remove the warnings regarding endometrial cancer on systemic estrogen-alone products. 

This decision is based on an FDA assessment of current literature and a comprehensive review by a panel of experts, which includes a reanalysis of data from younger cohorts who began HRT treatment within 10 years of entering menopause. Here’s what you need to know.

Black warning labels and hormone therapy stigma

HHS states that removing black box warnings from HRT products could help address the underutilization of these products to treat menopause symptoms. Experts are in agreement.

“The FDA removal of the black box warning for HRT will increase clinician awareness and education across all fields of medicine, and will ultimately expand access to appropriate, individualized treatment for those experiencing menopause,” said Nataki Douglas, MD, reproductive endocrinologist and chief scientific officer at Extend Fertility.

HRT was first approved by the FDA to treat certain menopause symptoms in 1941. However, studies conducted in the 1990s by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) found that there were potential risks of cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and pulmonary embolism. Following these studies, the use of HRT fell by 45%. 

“Initially, the ‘black box’ warning cautioned women and healthcare providers that hormone therapy would increase their risks of blood clots, breast cancer and strokes, which was based on the notorious and faulty WHI study done in 2002,” said Sherly Ross, MD, a board certified OB-GYN and women’s health expert noted this about the initial use of the black box warning and what the removal means.

“After over 20 years of waiting, we now have a restored trust and confidence in safely using hormone therapy for menopausal women as a recommended medication for quality of life and healthy aging,” Ross told Healthline.

Future of menopause treatment

Experts say that removing the black box warnings from HRT products will improve menopause treatment outcomes for symptoms ranging from hot flashes to night sweats and sleep issues.

“For the 6,000 [U.S.] women entering menopause every day, they will not only get relief from the disruptive symptoms of menopause, but will also have a reduced risk of heart disease, cognitive decline, and bone fractures,” Ross said.

She said the benefits of hormone therapy become even more pronounced when the medication is prescribed within the first 10 years of menopause onset.

“Starting hormone therapy is an individualized process that should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider, weighing the benefits versus the risks,” Ross said.

Douglas echoed these remarks, calling the black box removal an “important first step” that raises awareness among clinicians and patients alike about the evidence-based benefits and risks of HRT.

“It will encourage more open and informed patient–provider discussions and lead to increased referrals of perimenopausal and postmenopausal individuals to specialists who provide menopause-focused care,” Douglas told Healthline.

A hiatal hernia can be a surprising and uncomfortable condition, especially for…

Content source – www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com

• A new research review disputes claims made by the Trump administration that Tylenol use during pregnancy can increase the risk of autism and ADHD in children.
• The researchers claim that recent studies cited by the White House are flawed.
• Tylenol remains safe to use during pregnancy and can help relieve pain as well as reduce high fever, both of which can be harmful to an unborn child.

In a new study, researchers concluded that pregnant people can safely take acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, to treat pain and high fever.

The analysis of recent studies shows there is insufficient evidence linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

The researchers said that previous studies suggesting a slight association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and ADHD and autism were flawed. The findings were published on November 10 in The BMJ.

“Existing evidence does not clearly link maternal [Tylenol] use during pregnancy with autism or ADHD in offspring,” the researchers wrote.

Experts not involved in the study said the researchers’ conclusions are well-founded.

“The high-quality methodology used in this new umbrella review confirms what experts around the globe have been saying,” said Dimitrios Siassakos, a professor in obstetrics and gynecology at the University College London in England, in a statement posted on the Science Media Centre.

“The evidence that links [acetaminophen] use in pregnancy to autism is tenuous and those studies which do report an association are confounded by the association of autism or ADHD with factors shared by families such as genetics, lifestyle etc.”

The review comes less than two months after President Donald Trump and members of his administration made statements that linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism risk.

A key member of the Trump administration, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., had already softened his stance about Tylenol. Kennedy recently said there was no “sufficient” evidence that Tylenol is a definitive cause of autism, but reiterated that women should only use Tylenol during pregnancy when “absolutely necessary.”

Here’s what you need to know about Tylenol use during pregnancy, and why experts continue to assert that it’s safe.

Research on Tylenol and autism risk

The large review involved an umbrella analysis of nine systematic reviews that included 40 studies conducted over the past decade. Each study had investigated the potential link between acetaminophen and the risk of a child developing autism or ADHD.

The researchers reported that some of those studies concluded there was a “strong association” between maternal acetaminophen use and autism and ADHD risks.

However, the researchers said those studies were flawed and confidence in the findings was “low to critically low.” Among other issues, the researchers said those studies did not make adjustments for familial factors that could have increased the risk of autism or ADHD in some children.

“Primary studies that do not adjust for key confounders such as familial genetic and environmental factors, maternal health, indications for [acetaminophen] use, and potential unmeasured confounders cannot accurately estimate the effects of in utero exposure to [acetaminophen] on neurodevelopment in children,” the study authors wrote.

They added that none of the research they reviewed established any biological mechanism between acetaminophen and autism or ADHD.

“The results from this extensive study looking at the potential link between acetaminophen during pregnancy and the risk of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were not surprising,” said Sherry Ross, MD, an OB-GYN and women’s health expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California. Ross wasn’t involved in the study.

“This study confirmed there was no association between taking Tylenol during pregnancy increasing the risk of autism in the baby. The exaggerated hype and misrepresentation about acetaminophen increasing the risk of autism and ADHD during pregnancy has been exploited, harmful to pregnant women, and causing unnecessary confusion,” Ross told Healthline.

A 2024 study published in JAMA reached similar conclusions.

“Acetaminophen use during pregnancy was not associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in sibling control analyses. This suggests that associations observed in other models may have been attributable to confounding,” the study authors wrote.

Tylenol a safe option for pregnancy pain relief

Acetaminophen is the safest option for pain relief and lowering fever during pregnancy. For example, fever during pregnancy carries heightened risks of neural tube defects.

G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, an OB-GYN and the lead OB/GYN at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in California, explained that acetaminophen does not cross from the mother’s bloodstream into the placenta.

Other pain medications, such as ibuprofen, do cross that threshold and can endanger the health of a developing fetus.

“Most pain relievers are medications you shouldn’t take while pregnant,” Ruiz told Healthline.

He added that pain during pregnancy can cause stress, which can cause harm to both the unborn child and the mother. “Undue stress is not going to be good for the baby or mom,” Ruiz said.

Ross agreed. “The risks of untreated fevers, headaches, and pain during pregnancy may be dangerous for mother and baby and do outweigh the unsupported risks of using Tylenol to treat these harmful symptoms,” she said.

Trump administration’s stance on Tylenol

In late September, President Trump stated that the use of Tylenol during pregnancy was associated with a “very increased risk of autism.”

“[Federal officials] are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary,” the president said.

His remarks were followed by an announcement from officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that they were initiating a change in Tylenol labels to include a mention of a potential association between the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and autism and ADHD.

In a statement, HHS officials stated that autism cases among children in the United States have risen 400% since 2000.

White House officials cited an August 2025 study from Harvard as well as an October 2019 study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health among their references.

They also noted that a 2021 consensus statement called for “precautionary action” and recommended that women “minimize exposure” to acetaminophen and use “the lowest dose for the shortest time possible.”

In response, the makers of Tylenol issued a statement on their website asserting that rigorous research has confirmed “there is no credible science that shows taking acetaminophen causes autism.”

In late October, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturers of Tylenol, accusing the pharmaceutical company of failing to warn consumers about the risk of taking Tylenol during pregnancy.

Despite HHS Health Secretary Kennedy walking back part of the White House’s stance on maternal Tylenol use and autism, he said there should be “a cautious approach to it.”

What to know about autism, ADHD

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 3% of children in the United States are diagnosed with autism by the age of 8.

They note that autism is three times more common in boys than it is in girls.

CDC officials also report that about 11% of U.S. children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD at some point.

The condition is also more common in boys than in girls.

Autism is a broad term used to describe a group of neurodevelopmental conditions. People with autism commonly exhibit problems with communication and social interaction as well as restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior.

The exact cause of autism remains unknown. Suspected risk factors include:

• having an immediate family member who has autism
• having certain genetic mutations
• being born to older parents
• low birth weight
• exposure to heavy metals and other environmental toxins

A July 2025 study involving more than 1 million children determined there was no link between vaccines and the development of autism.

ADHD is a condition that can cause people to have difficulty focusing their attention on a single task or sitting still for long periods of time.

People with the condition may experience difficulty completing tasks, become easily distracted, and interrupt others while they’re talking. ADHD can have a significant impact on school, work, relationships, and lifestyle.

Like autism, the causes of ADHD aren’t entirely understood. Possible explanations include genetic factors, certain neurotoxins, and smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Ruiz said autism is likely caused by a number of factors, not a single contributor. “We don’t really have a good handle on [the causes],” he said. “It’s likely multiple variables.”

“The exact cause(s) of autism is still to be determined,” added Ross. “Credible medical studies suggest autism is thought to be due to genetic and environmental factors. What is known about the cause of autism is it results from a combination of influences.”

Ace Frehley, founding guitarist of KISS, died from blunt trauma to the…

Content source – www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com

• A new clinical trial challenges the long-held medical advice that coffee triggers a common type of heart arrhythmia.
• Results of a new trial found that adults with atrial fibrillation (AFib) who drank coffee daily had a significantly lower risk of recurrence than non-coffee drinkers.
• The findings suggest that moderate coffee consumption may protect the heart from arrhythmia.

Coffee is the most popular beverage in the United States, with approximately two-thirds of adults consuming it daily.

For people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) and those at risk for it, conventional medical wisdom has long advised cutting back or avoiding coffee altogether.

Your morning brew contains caffeine, a stimulant that acts on the sympathetic nervous system and can raise blood pressure and cause a rapid heartbeat. Those well-documented effects have led many to believe coffee may increase your risk of AFib, the most common type of arrhythmia.

However, this idea has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, and recommendations surrounding coffee and AFib remain mixed.

Now, a new clinical trial challenges long-standing medical advice, suggesting that coffee may not trigger AFib episodes and could even reduce their frequency.

In the aptly named DECAF randomized controlled trial, researchers found that among 200 adults with diagnosed AFib, those who drank coffee daily had fewer recurrent episodes than those who avoided caffeine entirely over a six-month period. The trial results were published on November 9 in JAMA.

“There have been conflicting thoughts about whether coffee affects atrial fibrillation,” said Gregory Marcus, MD, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and senior author of the research.

“To our knowledge, this is the only long-term randomized trial of caffeinated coffee on any cardiovascular endpoint. It suggests that caffeinated coffee may protect against atrial fibrillation, at least among people that otherwise enjoy and tolerate caffeinated coffee,” Marcus told Healthline.

Rod Passman, MD, a professor of medicine and director of the Center for Arrhythmia Research at Northwestern University, who wasn’t involved in the research, praised the trial.

“This is an important  study that calls into question the lifestyle advice that we often give patients without clearly supportive data,” Passman told Healthline.

Coffee drinkers had 39% lower risk of AFib recurrence

Marcus and his team recruited 200 patients with a history of AFib or atrial flutter for the trial.

The average participant was 69 years old; most participants were males (71%) and identified themselves as white (80%). All were regular coffee drinkers, averaging about one cup per day.

The patients were enrolled immediately after successful cardioversion therapy, a treatment that uses an electrical impulse or medication to restore a healthy heart rhythm.

Half of the participants were randomly assigned to either continue drinking coffee daily or completely abstain from all caffeinated products, including coffee and even decaffeinated coffee. Over a six-month period, researchers recorded any recurrence of AFib or atrial flutter lasting at least 30 seconds.

At the end of the trial, 47% of coffee drinkers experienced an episode of AFib, compared with 64% of those who abstained. This represents a 40% lower risk of AFib recurrence among individuals who regularly consume coffee.

“For people that enjoy drinking caffeinated coffee, they should not avoid it for fear that it’s going to worsen their atrial fibrillation. That’s the most conservative perspective on this. Now, whether it makes sense to actually encourage consumption of caffeinated coffee, that will require further study,” Marcus said.

What explains the reduced AFib risk among coffee drinkers isn’t yet clear. The authors suggest several possible mechanisms, though the study doesn’t provide direct evidence for any of them.

Caffeine is known to block adenosine receptors, which is one of the ways it makes you feel more alert. Adenosine is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that makes you feel drowsy. It’s part of how the body regulates energy and sleep cycles, but it’s also known to provoke AFib.

The authors propose that blocking adenosine may confer antiarrhythmic properties to caffeine.

Coffee also has anti-inflammatory properties that may be protective against AFib. 

“Coffee, as we know, naturally contains antioxidant properties, such as chlorogenic acids and melanoidins, which may act as protective effects for our body and our heart,” said Alyssa Kwan, a clinical dietitian in Cardiology at Stanford Medicine who wasn’t affiliated with the research.

The effects could also be attributed to a healthier lifestyle in general. For example, a 2023 clinical trial found that people in the coffee drinking group walked approximately 1,000 more steps per day than the abstaining group

Coffee, caffeine best enjoyed in moderation

Although the research suggests that coffee will not worsen your risk for AFib, there are still some important caveats.

First, this study focused exclusively on coffee. Its findings don’t extend to other forms of caffeine, such as energy drinks, supplements, or pills, that people commonly consume today.

In fact, energy drinks, which can have twice as much (or even more) caffeine in them as a cup of coffee, may trigger AFib, even in young and otherwise healthy people.

“People should absolutely not extrapolate from this study that more caffeine is therefore better,” Marcus said. “All of the observational evidence that caffeine may reduce the risk for AFib is all related to moderate or normal consumption of naturally occurring caffeine, such as in coffee.”

Kwan said that you should also be mindful of what you put in your coffee.

“I would still caution against choosing coffee that might contain high amounts of added sugars or saturated fat, including items like lattes and mochas,” she said.

The bottom line: if you have AFib and enjoy coffee in moderation, your morning coffee likely won’t trigger an AFib episode and may, in fact, lower your risk.

If your doctor advised that you avoid drinking coffee on account of your AFib, you should still consult them before starting regular consumption.

“For many patients with AFib, a cup of coffee is an integral part of their routine. We need more data if we are going to tell people to give up the things they like,” said Passman.

Every winter, influenza viruses sweep through communities, causing a seasonal epidemic. There are several different flu vaccines that are used in the national vaccination programme and all of them protect against the 3 main flu virus types: influenza A(H1N1), influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B.