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Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that can only replicate inside the living cells of other organisms. They are not considered living organisms themselves because they lack the cellular machinery to reproduce independently. Viruses are found in nearly every ecosystem on Earth and are the most abundant type of biological entity.

The structure of a virus is generally simple, consisting of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed within a protein coat called a capsid. Some viruses also have an outer lipid envelope derived from the host cell membrane. The genetic material carries the instructions for making new virus particles.

Viruses infect a wide range of hosts, including animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. The process of infection typically involves the virus attaching to a host cell, injecting its genetic material, and then hijacking the cell's machinery to produce more viral components. These components are then assembled into new viruses, which are released from the host cell, often destroying it in the process.

Viral infections can cause a variety of diseases in humans, such as the common cold, influenza, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19. However, viruses are not always pathogenic; many viruses infect organisms without causing any noticeable harm. The study of viruses is called virology.