Diseases caused by virus, also known as viruses, affect several people every year, and are well known by the population. There are viruses that are relatively simple, such as colds, and others that trigger more serious conditions, and there are even diseases without a cure, as is the case with AIDS.
Viruses are organisms that are characterized by reproducing only inside cells, and are therefore known as obligate intracellular parasites. By parasitizing cells, viruses can trigger diseases, causing different symptoms. You symptoms of these diseases may be the result of different processes, such as the release of enzymes from lysosomes after the destruction of a cell, or as a result of toxic components present in the parasite.
Below is a list of some diseases caused by viruses in humans:
AIDS
Chickenpox
Mumps
Chikungunya
Condyloma acuminata
Dengue
Ebola
Yellow fever
The flu
Hepatitis (Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and hepatitis D)
genital herpes
HPV
Polio
Anger
Cold
Rubella
Measles
Smallpox
Zika
HPV is the name given to a group of viruses that affect the skin and mucous membranes. Some types of HPV are related to cervical cancer.
→ Symptoms
By invading a cell, which can be from any living organism, viruses can trigger disease. In humans, these diseases are very common and usually cause fever, headache and body pain, lack of appetite and indisposition, relatively unspecific symptoms.
Body aches, malaise, poor appetite, and runny nose may indicate a cold.
Symptoms of viruses, because they are very similar to each other, make an accurate diagnosis difficult. That's why, when looking for a doctor, with the clinical picture described above, we quickly received the diagnosis of a virus. It is important, however, to always carry out more specific exams in cases of intense symptoms is that persist for a long time.
Some diseases caused by viruses, however, trigger some more specific symptoms that help in a more accurate diagnosis, such as:
Jaundice: it is a clinical sign characterized by the yellowish color of the skin and mucous membranes. Hepatitis is a viral disease that can trigger this symptom.
Red blisters that itchy a lot: can be seen, for example, in chicken pox frames.
Paralysis: can occur in cases of polio.
Swelling and pain in the salivary glands: are very common in cases of mumps.
Genital Warts: are one of the symptoms caused by HPV infection.
Red spots on the body: they can, along with other symptoms, help diagnose problems like Zika and rubella.
Coryza: A symptom also known as a “runny nose” may be a sign of the flu or a cold.
→ Treatment
For the treatment of viruses, in most cases, the doctor recommends medications aimed at to control you symptoms, such as fever, pain, nausea and vomiting. This is because most diseases caused by viruses doesn't have a specific drug for your treatment. It is also recommended that the patient maintain rest, hydrate yourself enough and take care of your food. Generally, the symptoms of a virus disappear in shortly, between three and seven days.
As noted earlier, not all viral diseases have specific medications for their treatment, but some can be treated with the use of drugs that act by inhibiting viral replication, the calls antivirals. An example of these medications is the acyclovir, which prevents herpes virus replication. In addition to acyclovir, we can mention the AZT (azidothymidine), which works by controlling the reproduction of HIV.
→ Prevention
Diseases caused by viruses have different forms of transmission, and therefore also have different forms of prevention. Among the main protective measures against viral diseases, the daring of vaccines, that can act against various diseases. Among the viral diseases that can be prevented through vaccines, the following stand out: polio, measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B, yellow fever and flu.
Various vaccines are available to prevent viral illnesses.
Habits of hygiene is healthy eating they are also important points to avoid diseases caused by viruses and other infectious agents. Furthermore, avoid being in places with many people, keep the rooms well ventilated and avoid contact with patients they are ways to prevent the transmission of diseases, especially those that can be easily transmitted by droplets containing the virus present in the air, such as flu and cold.
Read too:10 ways to prevent yourself from colds and flu
Certain diseases, such as condyloma acuminatum and HIV infection, can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. Thus, one way to prevent viral diseases is also using a condom in every sexual intercourse.
In those diseases that are transmitted by vectors, such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya, it is important to control the proliferation of these vectors. Among the measures that can be taken, the following stand out: keep the trash covered so as to avoid water accumulation; store empty bottles upside down; clear land; keep gutters always clean; and cover the water tanks.
→ Virus Characteristics
You virus are organisms that have, as their main characteristic, the absence of cells, that is, they are acellular organisms. They have a relatively simple structure, being formed by a nucleic acid (DNA, RNA or both) surrounded by a protein capsule. Some viruses also have a membranous envelope, which is derived from the plasma membrane of host cells.
Viruses are structures formed by a capsule that surrounds the genetic material.
Viruses do not have metabolic enzymes or ways to produce proteins, making it necessary to parasitize a cell in order to reproduce. Due to these characteristics, viruses are said to be obligate intracellular parasites.
Much is discussed if viruses are or are not living beings. This discussion takes place because viruses are acellular and do not have their own metabolism. However, many researchers accept viruses as a live form, as they have genetic material and are capable of evolving.
Read too: General characteristics of viruses
By Ma. Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/doencas-causadas-virus.htm
