Quizzes
Read Next
Discover
Science & Tech
viral disease
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
Category:
Science & Tech
- Related Topics:
- AIDS
- polio
- influenza
- yellow fever
- bird flu
viral disease, disease caused by viruses. Long-term immunity usually follows viral childhood diseases (see chickenpox). The common cold recurs into adulthood because many different viruses cause its symptoms, and immunity against one does not protect against others. Some viruses mutate fast enough to reinfect people after recovery (see influenza) or to keep the immune system from fighting them off (see AIDS). Certain cancers are caused by viruses. Vaccines can prevent some viral diseases. Antiviral drugs work only against specific viruses; antibiotics are ineffective against viral diseases. See also polio; smallpox.