How and where viruses gain virulence
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How and where viruses gain virulence
April 30, 2026
Above: Stock photo of a research mouse by Pixabay via Pexels.
In mice, viruses gain virulence in some individuals, depending on genetics and sex.
During the early stages of a pandemic, viruses tend to evolve in ways that enhance their ability to reproduce and spread, rather than to evade the host’s immune system. The genetics and sex of the host influence how a novel virus adapts to a new environment, but scientists don’t fully understand how..