Virus
A virus is defined as any of a various number of submicroscopic parasites that can infect any animal, plant or bacteria and often lead to very serious or even deadly diseases. A virus consists of a core of RNA or DNA, generally surrounded by a protein, lipid or glycoprotein coat, or some combination of the three. No virus can replicate without the help of a host cell, and though they can be spread, viruses lack the ability of self-reproduction and are not always considered to be living organisms in the regular sense.Some of the most common or best known viruses include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is the virus that causes AIDS, the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores, smallpox, multiple sclerosis, and the human papilloma virus, now believed to be a leading cause of cervical cancer in adult women. The common human cold is also caused by a virus.Since a great deal of mystery still surrounds the origins of most modern viruses, ways to cure these viruses and the diseases they cause are still in the very early stages of development.
Explore Viruses, Infections & Disease
Latest about Viruses, Infections & Disease
Skeletons from 1918 flu dispel myth that young, healthy adults were more vulnerable to the virus
By Emily Cooke published
Frail people and those with preexisting conditions were most likely to die from the 1918 flu — not young, healthy adults as once believed, a study of the victims' skeletons suggests.
Who should get the new COVID vaccines? What to know about the 2023-2024 shots
By Nicoletta Lanese last updated
New COVID vaccines have been approved to guard against coronavirus variants that are currently circulating.
Novavax's new COVID vaccine cleared for use by FDA
By Nicoletta Lanese published
An updated COVID-19 vaccine made by Novavax has been authorized by the FDA, joining the two vaccines already cleared for use.
Inexpensive new malaria vaccine is a 'vital tool' to protect tens of millions of people
By Nicoletta Lanese published
The World Health Organization has recommended the use of a malaria vaccine called Matrix-M, which is anticipated to boost the vaccine supply.
Nobel Prize in medicine goes to scientists who paved the way for COVID-19 mRNA vaccines
By Ben Turner published
Katalin Karikó and Dr. Drew Weissman won the 2023 Nobel Prize in medicine for their work on mRNA vaccines.
Prenatal RSV vaccine protects newborns from the virus, CDC says
By Nicoletta Lanese published
The CDC recommends a newly approved RSV vaccine be given during the last trimester of pregnancy to protect newborns.
Woman is 1st to survive infection with deadly 'blackleg' bacteria she caught while gardening bare-handed
By Emily Cooke published
A woman survived a rare infection that had previously been reported in only two other humans, both of whom died from the disease.
Strange purple lump on infant's head is rare case of protruding brain tissue, case report says
By Emily Cooke published
The cause of the boy's lump is unknown, although doctors suspect it could be an unusual symptom of a neural tube defect.
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