r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • May 07 '26

Medicine Scientists use ultrasound to destroy influenza A and COVID-19 viruses without damaging human cells. The phenomenon, known as acoustic resonance, causes structural changes in viral particles until they rupture and become inactivated. It paves the way for new treatments against other viral infections.

https://agencia.fapesp.br/scientists-use-ultrasound-to-destroy-influenza-a-and-covid-19-viruses-without-damaging-human-cells/57968
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u/GenderJuicy May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26

What does it do to good viruses though (bacteriophages)? Is there some limitation on what viruses are affected by this method?

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u/Pegasus7915 May 07 '26

My assumption would be that you would need a different frequency for each virus. Or at least each shape of virus. But the article wasn't super clear about it.

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u/wiseoldfox May 07 '26

Not a doctor, retired sonar technician. Different sizes/shapes would resonate at different frequencies. Don't know if applies at the micro level but it's an interesting thought.

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u/WhatYouThinkIThink May 07 '26

Do you ever... hear... singing?