Virus, infections and disease news, features and articles

Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that are commonly known for their role in causing disease. They contain either RNA or DNA as their genetic material and need to infect host cells in order to survive and replicate. Some of the most famous viruses that infect humans include influenza (or the flu), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola. However, viruses are not the only infectious agents; bacteria, fungi and parasites can also all trigger diseases. Furthermore, there are a plethora of conditions that are not spread from one person to the next, known as "non-communicable diseases." These include cancer, diabetes, heart disease and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's. Learn more about the latest research concerning viruses, infections and diseases in our articles below.
Discover more about virus, infections and disease
—Could bacteria or viruses lurking in ancient Egyptian mummies unleash a plague today?
Latest about Viruses, Infections & Disease
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Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia
By Anand Kumar Published
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Opinion
COVID-19 vaccines for kids are mired in uncertainty amid conflicting federal guidance
By David Higgins Published
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Legionnaires' outbreak in NYC causes two deaths
By Perri Thaler Published
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An infectious disease expert explains what germs can lurk in pools — and how to avoid them
By Lisa Cuchara Published
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How the battle between viruses and bacteria could help us beat superbugs
By Franklin Nobrega Published
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Experimental HIV vaccines show promise in early safety test
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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'Universal' cancer vaccine heading to human trials could be useful for 'all forms of cancer'
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Explore Viruses, Infections & Disease
Alzheimers & Dementia
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Vaccines hold tantalizing promise in the fight against dementia
By Anand Kumar Published
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Dementia: What are the signs and symptoms of dementia, and how is it treated?
By Shira Gordon Published
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There's a new blood test for Alzheimer's — here's how it works
By Theresa Sullivan Barger Published
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Shingles vaccine may directly guard against dementia, study hints
By Clarissa Brincat Published
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Man nearly guaranteed to get early Alzheimer's is still disease-free in his 70s — how?
By Marianne Guenot Published
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'Reanimated' herpes viruses lurking in the brain may link concussions and dementia
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Nearly half of global dementia cases could be delayed or prevented, scientists say
By Eric B. Larson Published
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'Look at all this we don't understand': Study unravels whole new layer of Alzheimer's disease
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Active ingredient in Viagra tied to lower Alzheimer's risk — but don't get too excited
By Emily Cooke Published
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Cancer
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'Universal' cancer vaccine heading to human trials could be useful for 'all forms of cancer'
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Planned C-sections linked to increased risk of childhood leukemia in study: What to know
By Rachel Somerstein Published
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Why is heart cancer so rare?
By Julie Phillippi Published
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'PAC-MANN' uses magnets and glowing 'probes' to detect signs of pancreatic cancer
By Sayan Tribedi Published
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Weird swelling of man's fingers and toes revealed cancer had 'completely replaced' the bones with lesions
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Chemotherapy can make healthy blood cells 'look old'
By Patrick Sullivan Published
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New blood test detects cancers 3 years before typical diagnosis, study hints
By Kamal Nahas Published
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Some early-onset cancers are on the rise. Why?
By Skyler Ware Published
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Joe Biden diagnosed with 'aggressive' prostate cancer: What to know
By Jess Thomson Published
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Coronavirus
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Opinion
COVID-19 vaccines for kids are mired in uncertainty amid conflicting federal guidance
By David Higgins Published
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1 in 22 COVID survivors develop debilitating chronic syndrome
By Clarissa Brincat Published
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Older adults should get 2 doses of the updated COVID shot, CDC says
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Newfound autoimmune syndrome tied to COVID-19 can trigger deadly lung scarring
By Stephanie Pappas Published
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COVID pandemic knocked 1.6 years off global life expectancy, study finds
By Sascha Pare Published
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Vaccines slash risk of long COVID, studies show
By Shannon Hall Published
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Rare clotting effect of early COVID shots finally explained — what could that mean for future vaccines?
By Stephanie Pappas Published
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Can antiviral drugs prevent long COVID?
By Ziyad Al-Aly Published
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Injection might help long COVID patients smell normally again
By Rebecca Sohn Published
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Ebola
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Ebola: Causes, symptoms, treatments & vaccines
By Alina Bradford Published
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Ebola can linger in brain fluid and trigger deadly relapse, monkey study suggests
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Ebola may have lingered in a survivor for 5 years before sparking new outbreak
By Yasemin Saplakoglu Published
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Japan Just Imported Ebola to Prep for Possible Olympic Outbreak
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Patient Tested for Ebola in Pennsylvania
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Anti-Vaccine Movement Joins Ebola, Drug Resistance on List of Top Global Threats
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Scientists Discover a Sixth Species of Ebola Virus — in Bats
By Kimberly Hickok Published
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How Bats Could Help Scientists Stop Ebola Outbreaks Before They Start
By Nidhi Sharma Published
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Here's How Health Officials Plan to Use the Ebola Vaccine in New African Outbreak
By Tereza Pultarova Published
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Ebola
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Ebola: Causes, symptoms, treatments & vaccines
By Alina Bradford Published
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Ebola can linger in brain fluid and trigger deadly relapse, monkey study suggests
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Ebola may have lingered in a survivor for 5 years before sparking new outbreak
By Yasemin Saplakoglu Published
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Japan Just Imported Ebola to Prep for Possible Olympic Outbreak
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Patient Tested for Ebola in Pennsylvania
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Anti-Vaccine Movement Joins Ebola, Drug Resistance on List of Top Global Threats
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Scientists Discover a Sixth Species of Ebola Virus — in Bats
By Kimberly Hickok Published
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How Bats Could Help Scientists Stop Ebola Outbreaks Before They Start
By Nidhi Sharma Published
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Here's How Health Officials Plan to Use the Ebola Vaccine in New African Outbreak
By Tereza Pultarova Published
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Flu
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Flu: Facts about seasonal influenza and bird flu
By Mindy Weisberger Published
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Brain damage reported in 13% of kids who have died of flu this season, CDC finds
By Patrick Pester Published
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This year's flu shot was up to 78% effective at preventing hospitalization in kids, early data finds
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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The US is having its most active flu season in 15 years
By Hatty Willmoth Published
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2nd form of bird flu detected in US cows
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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US reports 1st outbreak of 'highly pathogenic' H5N9 virus in poultry. Should we worry?
By Emily Cooke Published
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1st deadly case of H5N1 bird flu reported in US
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Pet cats in Los Angeles County are catching bird flu from raw food, milk
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Avian influenza: Bird flu spread triggers state of emergency in California
By Pandora Dewan Published
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HIV
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Experimental HIV vaccines show promise in early safety test
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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HIV/AIDS: Facts about the viral infection that attacks the immune system
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Nearly 3 million extra deaths by 2030 could result from HIV funding cuts, study suggests
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Single-shot HIV treatment suppresses virus 10,000-fold for months, animal study finds
By Michael Schubert Published
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HIV prevention drug found 100% effective in clinical trial
By Linda-Gail Bekker Published
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In a 1st, HIV vaccine triggers rare and elusive antibodies in humans
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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New trial hints at a possible HIV cure approach: Wake up latent virus hiding in the body, then kill it
By Stephanie Pappas Published
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Teens use HIV prevention meds way more if they get these simple interventions
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Kids under 5 with HIV are dying at high rates. Here's why.
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Zika
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Florida releasing genetically modified mosquitoes to prevent diseases like Zika
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Ebola, Zika & More: How Many Viruses Can Get into Men's Semen?
By Rachael Rettner Published
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About 10% of Pregnant Women with Zika Had Babies with Birth Defects
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Zika to Weed: 8 Huge Health Stories from 2016
By Stephanie Bucklin Published
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Men with Vasectomies Can Still Spread Zika Via Sex, Report Suggests
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Zika Can Cause Birth Defects in Monkeys Too
By Rachael Rettner Published
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Zika Pesticide Controversy: Is 'Naled' Dangerous to Human Health?
By Stephanie Pappas Published
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Crying Zika: Virus Material Found in Tears
By Rachael Rettner Published
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In Babies, Zika Can Linger for Months, Brazilian Case Suggests
By Rachael Rettner Published
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More about Viruses, Infections & Disease
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'Universal' cancer vaccine heading to human trials could be useful for 'all forms of cancer'
By Nicoletta Lanese Published
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Dementia: What are the signs and symptoms of dementia, and how is it treated?
By Shira Gordon Published
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Planned C-sections linked to increased risk of childhood leukemia in study: What to know
By Rachel Somerstein Published
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