Viral entry

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Viral entry is when a virus goes into the cell that it has infected. It is the first part of the virus’s life. ^[1]

Most viruses share some basics steps. First, the virus has to stick or attach to the outside of the cell. Then some proteins react to each other. After that, there are a few different ways that viral entry can happen.

The first way is called membrane fusion. The outside layer of the cell has a hole poked in it for the virus to go in.

The second way is called endocytosis. The cell thinks the virus is food and eats it.

The third way is Viral penetration. This is where the virus injects itself into the cell.