Viral variants emerge when viruses accumulate genetic mutations, creating new strains with potentially altered characteristics. These variants can influence...
A viral variant is a version of a virus that has acquired genetic mutations, resulting in changes to its characteristics compared to the original strain.
Variants emerge through the natural process of mutation during viral replication. If these mutations provide a survival advantage, the new variant can become more prevalent.
Yes, some viral variants can reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines or treatments, potentially requiring updates to current immunizations and therapies.
Not necessarily. While some variants may be more transmissible or cause more severe illness, others might have no significant impact or even be less virulent.