Viruses

Some states’ wait-and-see approach worry public health expert as bird flu inches closer to humans.

New data on survivors shows a range of health problems, from loss of vision to arthritis. It's making researchers realize they need to learn more about how the virus affects the human body.

Scientists studying HIV and Ebola have noticed another virus hitching along for the ride in some blood samples. Now they're trying to figure out whether the lurker helps the body fend off disease.

Frustrated scientists argued Wednesday that making nasty viruses even worse in the lab provides crucial insight into preventing pandemics. Others say it just ups the risk a lab germ will start one.

The same viruses that make us sick can take up residence in and on the human body without provoking a sneeze, cough or other troublesome symptom,…

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome has a fatality rate of about 30 percent. An uptick in new cases in Saudi Arabia has health specialists concerned that the virus could spread outside the region.

This marks the first time an outbreak of the virus among humans has been detected in the country.

Roughly 1 in 5 unvaccinated people had the flu between 2006 and 2011, but only a quarter of them had symptoms, a study found. That could affect how the virus spreads.

It sounds like a good idea: anticipating flu's spread by monitoring a region's online searches. But sometimes a sneeze is just a cold.

http://media.soundmedicine.org/segments/071413_full.mp3The award-winning “Sound Medicine” announces its program for July 14, including segments about a…