Fig. 7

Strategies to block the invasion of respiratory viruses. Blocking viral-receptor binding represents the critical first-line defense against viral invasion of host cells. This can be achieved through receptor antagonists or competitive inhibition by commensal microbiota occupying receptor sites, thereby preventing viral attachment and subsequent cellular entry. When viral penetration triggers immune activation, strategic modulation of relevant signaling pathways and cytokine responses can enhance antiviral efficacy while mitigating pathological hyperinflammation, ultimately improving clinical outcomes. Prophylactic strategies employing microbial component-based vaccines or intranasal immunization protocols may prime trained immunity in hosts, conferring protection against severe sequelae of viral infection. Notably, gut-lung axis modulation through intestinal microbiota intervention emerges as a promising approach to optimize systemic responses post-infection. Furthermore, preventing viral-bacterial co-infections is crucial for containing viral dissemination and replication by avoiding synergistic inflammatory cascades