NPR

Scientists Discover The Secret Weapon Of Stomach Viruses

New research finds that stomach infections, like norovirus and rotavirus, have a special way to get to us hard — and fast. That knowledge could lead to new, more effective treatments.
A cluster of rotaviruses. The image is from a transmission electron micrograph and has been colored.

Researchers have discovered why some stomach bugs hit us so hard — and spread so fast.

New research published Wednesday in Cell Host & Microbe found that stomach infections, like norovirus and rotavirus, are more contagious and more potent when the virus particles cluster together.

These findings may help treat — and even prevent — these viruses more effectively.

The research began in 2015, when the researchers were studying polio viruses for a different project. It was led by , who focuses on host-pathogen connections at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The researchers were

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