Immune system-evading hybrid virus observed for first time

Researchers found the RSV and influenza viruses fused together to form a new type of virus pathogen

Two common respiratory viruses can fuse to form a hybrid virus capable of evading the human immune system, and infecting lung cells - the first time such viral cooperation has ever been observed.

Researchers believe the findings could help to explain why co-infections can lead to significantly worse disease for some patients, including hard-to-treat viral pneumonia.