N-3 PUFAs and/or their biologically active metabolites have the potential to modulate many of the adverse effects of an exaggerated immune response, inactivate enveloped viruses, enhance macrophage phagocytic capacity, ameliorate coagulopathy, modify cell signaling and gene expression, shift the pattern of the lipid metabolites produced under stress conditions to a more anti-inflammatory metabolite profile and enhance the anti-oxidative capacity of the heart.