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
Man sprouted thick, green 'fur' on his tongue in odd medical case
By Sascha Pare published
A man developed a condition known as hairy tongue, which can manifest itself in different colors depending on the bits of food, bacteria and dead skin cells that get trapped in the "hairs."
Could vaccines prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease?
By Simon Spichak published
Scientists are testing vaccines as potential treatments for Alzheimer's, in an attempt to reign in harmful immune activity tied to the disease.
'Disappearing' Y chromosome in aging men may worsen bladder cancer, mouse study shows
By Kiley Price published
As men get older, they can lose Y chromosomes in a portion of their cells. This could be helping certain cancers evade the immune system.
5 malaria cases in Florida and Texas were acquired locally, CDC warns
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Four people in Florida and one person in Texas recently caught malaria within the U.S. Similar cases haven't been reported since 2003.
Declassified US intelligence report finds no evidence of coronavirus 'lab leak' from Wuhan institute
By Nicoletta Lanese published
A declassified U.S. intelligence report further refutes the idea that SARS-CoV-2 "leaked" from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Pineapple in frozen fruit potentially exposed to Listeria, prompting wide recall
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Sunrise Growers Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of certain frozen fruit products due to potential Listeria contamination.
Metformin cuts risk of long COVID by 40% in patients with obesity, trial suggests
By Anna Demming published
A new study shows metformin can diminish risk of developing long COVID by more than 40% in overweight and obese patients.
Florida man gets 'flesh-eating' bacterial infection after a relative bit him
By Nicoletta Lanese published
A resident of Riverview, Florida was bitten by a relative and later developed a "flesh-eating" infection — likely from the bite.
AI predicts 5-year breast cancer risk better than standard tools — but we aren't sure how it works
By Carissa Wong published
Artificial intelligence models can use breast imaging data to pinpoint those at highest risk of getting breast cancer in the next five years, better than a standard approach.
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