Viruses
Viruses are minute infectious particles that require a host to survive, be it an animal, plant and bacterium. Viruses have a simple structure consisting of DNA or RNA enveloped within a protein capsule. These pesky pathogens cause a variety of human diseases, including AIDs, meningitis and the flu. There is some controversy as to whether viruses are alive, as they require a living host cell to replicate, and cannot do so on their own.

COVID, 4 years on: 9 most surprising lessons from the pandemic

It’s been exactly four years since the official declaration of the COVID pandemic. What do we know now that we didn’t before?
more

Before we had long COVID, was there long SARS?

A doctor explains the post-viral impact of the respiratory viruses, SARS and COVID-19.
more

Zombie viruses in the Arctic

The world’s polar regions are melting. Beneath the ice lurks all kind of microbes, but how much of a threat do they really present?
more

Will melting permafrost release ancient viruses and bacteria?

Climate change is causing permafrost to thaw, and estimates suggest that by 2100 up to two-thirds of Arctic near-surface permafrost will be lost.
more

Should we be worried that polio has been detected in the UK?

A national incident has been declared after the virus was found in a London sewer.
more

What is Parosmia?

If you have long COVID, you may be experiencing this.
more

Why it's spreading now, what causes it and what to look for

There are now 173 cases of monkeypox in the UK. But what is the risk to the general public, and why has the outbreak occurred? We answer your key questions about the disease outbreak.
more

Reality Check: How worried should we be about monkeypox?

It is unlikely the disease will become a new pandemic but cases are likely to rise over the coming weeks, virologist says.
more

How to survive a real-life Walking Dead apocalypse

Survival experts and professional preppers give their top tips on how to survive a zombie invasion.
more

Are you more likely to get chest infections if you’ve got no tonsils?

Your tonsils are part of your body's immune system.
more

COVID-19: Will we have to live with it forever? A virologist explains

The extent to which we will have to live with the virus depends on our actions.
more

Avian influenza: All you need to know about the bird flu outbreak

It’s the worst-ever outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) on record. Here’s what we know so far.
more