Virus
Explore Viruses, Infections & Disease
Latest about Viruses, Infections & Disease
![A woman stands in front of a mirror and palpates her breasts during a cancer self-check](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s6njGx8zpkZsCPAAJFkatK-320-80.jpg)
Doctors no longer recommend 'self-checks' for breast cancer — here's what to know
By Julie Goldenberg published
Breast self-exams used to be recommended as a part of routine breast cancer screening. Here's why the guidelines changed and what experts recommend instead.
![A group of people excavate a house](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/55v4fXMkiZJjhqTVbfoTQ7-320-80.jpg)
World's early mega-settlements mysteriously collapsed — this might be why
By R. Alexander Bentley published
Whether intentional or not, the way mega-settlements in southeastern Europe from 6,000 years ago were laid out would have cut down on the spread of disease.
![A woman holds a patient's hands in a hospital bed](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c86vQGqmPVrijff7AUHaEF-320-80.jpg)
How do people die of the flu?
By Bryan Rocha, Nicoletta Lanese published
Severe flu infections can lead to a range of deadly complications, especially in people whose immune systems are compromised by age or disease.
![A split image showing illustrations of viruses on the left and bacteria on the right](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rxc7okSbfZa7xkzSmKWosj-320-80.jpg)
Which came first: viruses or bacteria?
By Victoria Atkinson published
Viruses and bacteria have been around for billions of years, but which came first?
![A woman sits on the couch under a blanket and blows her nose](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MuVfaXjqy4f9A4bSjneVQ3-320-80.jpg)
How long is the flu contagious?
By Marilyn Perkins published
Many factors affect the infectious period of seasonal influenza, commonly called "the flu," but there are some good rules of thumb for when it's safe to return to work or school.
![Medical illustration of a mitochondrion against a black background. The outline of the mitochondrion is in fluorescent purple and is undulating. Inside, there are fluorescent orange and yellow blobs and circles, as well as patches of fluorescent green and blue.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zzDKSYWg8aGxZZWaVHqX8h-320-80.jpg)
Malfunctioning mitochondria may drive Crohn's disease, early study hints
By Emily Cooke published
A new study in mice suggests that dysfunctional mitochondria may change the composition of the gut microbiome and thus drive Crohn's disease.
![A dual combined antigen test for COVID-19 and the flu.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ujxhpyRXuJ74YTRmio6zWj-320-80.jpg)
Is it COVID or the flu? At-home tests can look for both viruses at once
By Julie Sullivan, Wilbur Lam published
A fever and a nasty cough can be symptoms of a range of respiratory illnesses. An antigen test that narrows down the culprits can speed up diagnosis and recovery.
![A view of a petri dish with hundreds of tiny spiral worms in it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uY6GESAL2q8WPv2qngZyVD-320-80.jpg)
Parasitic worms cause terrible diseases — could the viruses they carry be to blame?
By Rohini Subrahmanyam published
Roundworms harbor viruses, which could be responsible for these parasites' painful symptoms in humans, scientists theorize.
![A toothbrush rests on the edge of a sink.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2wyLz23UKBxhpeNm5Ln5q9-320-80.jpg)
Toothbrushes and showerheads are teeming with viruses unknown to science, study shows
By Ben Turner published
Scientists identified more than 600 viruses in samples taken from bathrooms in the United States. The viruses infect bacteria — not people — and scientists say they may provide more benefits than causes for concern.
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