Virus
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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
![an illustration of red bacterial cells shaped like rods and spheres](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2mH9LbP2E7XmQNrBiVHKMP-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2mH9LbP2E7XmQNrBiVHKMP-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2mH9LbP2E7XmQNrBiVHKMP-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2mH9LbP2E7XmQNrBiVHKMP-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2mH9LbP2E7XmQNrBiVHKMP-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2mH9LbP2E7XmQNrBiVHKMP-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2mH9LbP2E7XmQNrBiVHKMP-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2mH9LbP2E7XmQNrBiVHKMP-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
'Extremely high' number of pneumonia cases strike kids in Ohio county
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Common respiratory viruses and bacteria are likely behind the uptick in pediatric pneumonia in Warren County, Ohio.
![a woman sits on a bench holding a baby wrapped in a blanket, whose face is turned from the camera](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CAvtXWmQPcurFsWa2A3PBi-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CAvtXWmQPcurFsWa2A3PBi-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CAvtXWmQPcurFsWa2A3PBi-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CAvtXWmQPcurFsWa2A3PBi-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CAvtXWmQPcurFsWa2A3PBi-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CAvtXWmQPcurFsWa2A3PBi-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CAvtXWmQPcurFsWa2A3PBi-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CAvtXWmQPcurFsWa2A3PBi-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Kids under 5 with HIV are dying at high rates. Here's why.
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Among people on HIV meds, young children are the likeliest to die, often due to late diagnosis or treatment interruptions.
![This aerial photograph taken on September 5, 2022 shows flooded residential areas after heavy monsoon rains in Dera Allah Yar, Balochistan province in Pakistan.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QfNSTHvhkFqDHgm99QsDJT-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QfNSTHvhkFqDHgm99QsDJT-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QfNSTHvhkFqDHgm99QsDJT-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QfNSTHvhkFqDHgm99QsDJT-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QfNSTHvhkFqDHgm99QsDJT-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QfNSTHvhkFqDHgm99QsDJT-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QfNSTHvhkFqDHgm99QsDJT-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QfNSTHvhkFqDHgm99QsDJT-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Climate change could upend fight against malaria, WHO warns
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Malaria cases rose in 2022, in part due to climate change-related extreme weather events.
![illustration of a red and orange HIV virus disintegrating against a black background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C8x4pbHPTCzaGdQqKmDPEk-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C8x4pbHPTCzaGdQqKmDPEk-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C8x4pbHPTCzaGdQqKmDPEk-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C8x4pbHPTCzaGdQqKmDPEk-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C8x4pbHPTCzaGdQqKmDPEk-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C8x4pbHPTCzaGdQqKmDPEk-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C8x4pbHPTCzaGdQqKmDPEk-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C8x4pbHPTCzaGdQqKmDPEk-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
We could end the AIDS epidemic in less than a decade. Here's how.
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Experts have laid out a road map to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Is it possible?
![close-up of a gloved hand using tweezers to pull genetic material from a suspended DNA molecule](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YzQWTW2zfXxYvJLENZqQnN-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YzQWTW2zfXxYvJLENZqQnN-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YzQWTW2zfXxYvJLENZqQnN-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YzQWTW2zfXxYvJLENZqQnN-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YzQWTW2zfXxYvJLENZqQnN-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YzQWTW2zfXxYvJLENZqQnN-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YzQWTW2zfXxYvJLENZqQnN-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YzQWTW2zfXxYvJLENZqQnN-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Could CRISPR cure HIV someday?
By Jennifer Zieba published
An early-stage clinical trial raises hope for a new, single-dose HIV therapy that uses CRISPR, the famous gene-editing system.
![Female veterinarian examines a french bulldog that is sat on an examination table at the veterinary surgery](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6KpuDPVdZCXfbMvts9ucxK-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6KpuDPVdZCXfbMvts9ucxK-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6KpuDPVdZCXfbMvts9ucxK-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6KpuDPVdZCXfbMvts9ucxK-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6KpuDPVdZCXfbMvts9ucxK-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6KpuDPVdZCXfbMvts9ucxK-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6KpuDPVdZCXfbMvts9ucxK-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6KpuDPVdZCXfbMvts9ucxK-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
US dogs suffer mystery respiratory illness: What we know so far
By Emily Cooke published
Across the country, pet dogs are falling sick with a flu-like illness, but scientists don't yet know what's causing it.
![Mother applies hand sanitizer to her young daughter outdoors. Both are wearing protective face masks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kkdKsvjYB4o8pnbi9wVG7R-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kkdKsvjYB4o8pnbi9wVG7R-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kkdKsvjYB4o8pnbi9wVG7R-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kkdKsvjYB4o8pnbi9wVG7R-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kkdKsvjYB4o8pnbi9wVG7R-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kkdKsvjYB4o8pnbi9wVG7R-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kkdKsvjYB4o8pnbi9wVG7R-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kkdKsvjYB4o8pnbi9wVG7R-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
China's respiratory outbreak is 'expected' and not caused by new virus
By Emily Cooke published
Evidence suggests the outbreak is being caused by several known pathogens, the World Health Organization said.
![woman leans over a steaming pan on a stovetop and wafts its scent towards her face](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZfhWyoKYdrMnp76eKDenki-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZfhWyoKYdrMnp76eKDenki-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZfhWyoKYdrMnp76eKDenki-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZfhWyoKYdrMnp76eKDenki-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZfhWyoKYdrMnp76eKDenki-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZfhWyoKYdrMnp76eKDenki-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZfhWyoKYdrMnp76eKDenki-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZfhWyoKYdrMnp76eKDenki-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Injection might help long COVID patients smell normally again
By Rebecca Sohn published
Early studies hint that a nerve block in the neck could help restore long COVID patients' normal sense of smell, but more research is needed.
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