The death toll and economic damage associated with flu highlight its role as one of the most harmful viruses in history.

Viruses have no metabolism of their own and must therefore infect host cells in order to replicate. Contact between the virus and the cell surface is a crucial first step, which can also prevent ...

The culprit is the influenza virus, hitching a ride on tiny droplets we breathe in. Once inside, it slips past our defenses and begins its quiet invasion, targeting the very cells that keep us alive.