An ongoing dialogue on HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases,
January 2nd, 2011
2011: A New Meaning for “Antiviral”
January 1, 2011
Dear Lake Superior State University,
Clinicians are particularly concerned about this year’s “List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness“, as topping the list was the word, viral.
One nominator said:
Events, photographs, written pieces and even occasional videos that attracted a great deal of attention once were simply highly publicized, repeated in news broadcasts, and talked about for a few days. Now, however, it is no longer enough to give such offerings their 15 minutes of fame, but they must be declared to ‘go viral.’ As a result, any mindless stunt or vapid bit of writing is sent by its creators whirling around the Internet and, once whirled, its creators declare it (trumpets here) ‘viral!’ Enough already!
Unfortunately, those of us who make a living seeing patients could never survive without this precious word.
When we say to a patient, “You probably have something viral”, or, “It could be a virus”, what we really mean is, “I realize you’re sick, but I don’t know what you have.”
And it’s not really a lie, because literally hundreds of viruses cause human illness — and our diagnostic tests for them for the most part stink.
So I am hoping that MDs, NPs, and PAs may be granted a lifetime exemption for the banishment of “viral”, and continue to use it in the rigorously scientific manner described above.
Thank you for considering, and Happy New Year.
Paul Sax
(on behalf of clinicians everywhere)
Paul E. Sax, MD
Associate Editor
NEJM Clinician
Biography | Disclosures & Summaries
Learn more about HIV and ID Observations.
FROM NEJM — Recent Infectious Disease Articles- Global Cholera-Control Efforts — Progress and Remaining Challenges June 11, 2026If the current cholera pandemic, which began in 1961, is ever to end, the world will need better cholera vaccines that are effective in young children and global access to safe water and adequate sanitation.
- Human Infection with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N5) Virus June 11, 2026Avian influenza can jump species from birds to humans, a fact that arouses concern for serious illness and broader human transmission. In this report, avian influenza A(H5N5) was shown to cause severe human illness.
- War and Famine June 4, 2026The prevalence of wasting among children in Gaza tracks with Israeli blockades on aid, but war may lead to famine even without such policies. How should starvation be prevented and treated in wartime?
- The Unusual Suspects June 4, 2026A 53-year-old man with Crohn’s disease and psoriasis presented with a 2-day history of headache, slurred speech, nausea, and vomiting. During the previous 2 weeks, he had had yellowing of the skin and eyes and dark urine.
- Childhood Vaccine Hesitancy June 4, 2026Vaccine hesitancy is often driven by safety concerns. Clinician recommendations, presumptive communication, and empathy improve uptake; maintaining trust supports future acceptance and community protection.
- Global Cholera-Control Efforts — Progress and Remaining Challenges June 11, 2026