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Latest about Viruses, Infections & Disease

3D computer illustration of the spherical bacteria, Streptococcus pyogenes, or group-A Streptococcus, bacteria.

'Flesh-eating' infections that liquefy tissues can affect the vulva, doctors warn

By Jess Thomson published

Doctors in the U.K. have warned gynecologists of the risks of necrotizing fasciitis in the external genitalia after seeing several cases.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
Sickle cell anaemia. Artwork showing normal red blood cells (round), and red blood cells affected by sickle cell anaemia (crescent shaped). This is a disease in which the red blood cells contain an abnormal form of haemoglobin (bloods oxygen-carrying pigment) that causes the blood cells to become sickle-shaped, rather than round. Sickle cells cannot move through small blood vessels as easily as normal cells and so can cause blockages (right). This prevents oxygen from reaching the tissues, causing severe pain and organ damage.

Sickle cell 'crises' linked to menstrual cycle

By Jennifer Zieba published

In a new study, researchers found that the inflammation behind painful episodes in sickle cell disease are correlated with the menstrual cycle.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
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The science behind the 10 plagues of Egypt

By Live Science Staff last updated

Some of the diseases and natural disasters chronicled in the Book of Exodus can be explained by scientific theories.

Viruses, Infections & Disease

Flu: Facts about seasonal influenza and bird flu

By Mindy Weisberger published

Learn interesting facts about the flu, a viral infection that targets the respiratory system.

Flu
A high-resolution microscope image of a particle of a hantavirus against an enlarged, blurred version of the same image. The virus is blue, green and black.

What is hantavirus? The rare but deadly respiratory illness spread by rodents

By Emily Cooke published

Hantaviruses are spread by rodents and can cause deadly respiratory and kidney illnesses in humans. It recently killed Betsy Arakawa, actor Gene Hackman's wife, in a widely covered case.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
A woman holds her baby as they receive an MMR vaccine

When will the US measles outbreak end?

By Emily Cooke published

A public health official in Texas recently warned that the state's ongoing measles outbreak could last a year. Why are cases expected to keep rising?

Viruses, Infections & Disease
A woman is shown holding up a test tube containing a sample of blood. The different components of the blood have been separated, including the plasma which is visible in yellow. The test tube and the woman's hand are in focus, but the rest of the image is slightly blurred.

'Fingerprints of cancer' found after scientists flash infrared light pulses at blood samples

By Emily Cooke published

A new, AI-powered test can detect the molecular "fingerprints" of cancer in a patient's blood using flashes of infrared light.

Cancer
Researcher examining cultures in a petri dish, low angle view.

Diagnostic dilemma: A scientist caught plague from bacteria thought to be 'noninfectious'

By Kamal Nahas published

A scientist who was working on plague-causing bacteria caught the disease despite using weakened strains that were deemed noninfectious.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
An illustration of particles of the measles virus in red and white against a dark background.

US measles outbreak tops 600 cases — what to know about the disease

By Emily Cooke last updated

As measles outbreaks in the U.S. continue, here's what to know about how the disease spreads, what its symptoms are, and how to protect yourself and community from the illness.

Viruses, Infections & Disease

2 school-age children have died in Texas measles outbreak, as total cases pass 480

By Nicoletta Lanese published

Texas officials reported the death of a second school-age child in the state's ongoing measles outbreak.

Viruses, Infections & Disease
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