Dr. Jie Sun, a professor at the University of Virginia specializing in respiratory immunology and long COVID, dives into the intricate world of respiratory viral infections. He compares long COVID with other post-viral conditions while elucidating his lab's groundbreaking research on mucosal immunity from mRNA vaccines. The conversation also highlights emerging strategies for enhancing immunity against evolving strains, alongside the pressing public health implications of recent viral surges, including the complex challenges posed by long-term health effects.