There are a myriad of microorganisms in the world, viruses predominate among them. They can survive in the harshest conditions. Viruses have also been found in eternal ice Antarctica, and in the hot sands of the Sahara, and even in the cold vacuum of space. Although not all of them pose a danger, more than 80% of all human diseases are caused by viruses.
Back in the 40s of the last century, humanity knew about 40 diseases provoked by them. Today this figure is more than 500, not counting the fact that new species are discovered every year. People have learned to fight viruses, but knowledge is not always enough - more than 10 of their types remain the most dangerous for humanity. Viruses are causative agents of dangerous human diseases. Let's look at the main ones.
Hantaviruses
Most dangerous look viruses - hantavirus. When contacting small rodents or their waste products, there is a possibility of becoming infected. They can cause many diseases, the most dangerous of which are hemorrhagic fever and hantavirus syndrome. The first disease kills every tenth person, the probability of death after the second is 36%. The largest outbreak occurred during Korean War. Then more than 3,000 soldiers from different sides of the confrontation felt its effect. There is a strong possibility that the hantavirus caused the extinction of the Aztec civilization 600 years ago.
Ebola virus
What else dangerous viruses exist on Earth? The epidemic created panic in the world community just a year ago. The virus was discovered in 1976, during an epidemic in the Congo. It got its name in honor of the pool in which the outbreak occurred. Ebola disease has many symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. The most common of them include: increased body temperature, general weakness, vomiting, impaired liver and kidney function, sore throat. In some cases, internal and external bleeding is observed. In 2015, this virus took the lives of more than 12 thousand people.
How dangerous is the influenza virus?
Of course, no one would argue that the dangerous virus is an ordinary flu. More than 10% of the world's population suffers from it every year, making it one of the most common and unexpected.
The main danger to people is not the virus itself, but the complications it can cause (kidney disease, pulmonary and cerebral edema, heart failure). Of the 600 thousand people who died from the flu last year, only 30% of deaths were caused by the virus itself; the rest were the result of complications.
Mutations are another danger of the influenza virus. Due to the constant use of antibiotics, the disease becomes stronger every year. Chicken and swine flu, epidemics of which have broken out over the past 10 years, are yet another confirmation of this. In the worst-case scenario, in a few decades, drugs that can fight influenza will pose an extreme danger to humans.
Rotavirus
The most dangerous type of virus for children is rotavirus. Although the medicine for it is quite effective, about half a million babies die from this disease every year. This disease causes acute diarrhea, the body quickly becomes dehydrated and death occurs. Most of those affected live in underdeveloped countries where it is difficult to obtain a vaccine against this virus.
Deadly Marburg
The Marburg virus was first discovered in the city of the same name in Germany in the late 60s of the last century. It is one of the top ten deadly viruses that can be contracted from animals.
About 30% of diseases with this virus are fatal. In the early stages of this disease, a person suffers from fever, nausea, and muscle pain. In more severe cases - jaundice, pancreatitis, liver failure. The disease is transmitted not only by humans, but also by rodents, as well as some species of monkeys.
Hepatitis in action
What other dangerous viruses are known? There are more than 100 types of them that affect the human liver. The most dangerous of them are hepatitis B and C. It is not for nothing that this virus is nicknamed the “gentle killer”, because it can remain in the human body for many years without causing noticeable symptoms.
Hepatitis most often leads to the death of liver cells, that is, cirrhosis. It is almost impossible to cure the pathology caused by strains B and C of this virus. By the time hepatitis is detected in the human body, the disease, as a rule, is already in a chronic form.
The discoverer of this disease was the Russian biologist Botkin. The strain of hepatitis he found is now called “A”, and the disease itself is treatable.
Smallpox virus
Smallpox is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind. It only affects humans, causing chills, dizziness, headaches and lower back pain. Characteristic features smallpox is the appearance of a purulent rash on the body. Over the past century alone, smallpox has killed nearly half a billion people. Enormous amounts of material resources (about $300 million) were used to combat this disease. Yet virologists have achieved success: the last known case of smallpox was recorded forty years ago.
Deadly rabies virus
The rabies virus is the first of this rating, leading to death in 100% of cases. You can become infected with rabies after being bitten by a sick animal. The disease is asymptomatic until the time when it is no longer possible to save the person.
The rabies virus causes severe damage to the nervous system. In the last stages of the disease, a person becomes violent, experiences a constant feeling of fear, and suffers from insomnia. A few days before death, blindness and paralysis occur.
In the entire history of medicine, only 3 people have been saved from rabies.
Lassa virus
What other dangerous diseases are known? The virus caused by this virus is one of the most dangerous diseases in West Africa. It affects the human nervous system, kidneys, lungs, and can cause myocarditis. During the entire period of illness, body temperature does not fall below 39-40 degrees. Many painful purulent ulcers appear on the body.
Lassa virus is transmitted by small rodents. The disease is transmitted by contact. Every year, about 500 thousand people become infected, of which 5-10 thousand die. In severe forms of Lassa fever, the mortality rate can reach 50%.
Human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
The most dangerous type of virus is HIV. It is considered the most dangerous of those known to man at this time.
Experts have found that the first case of transmission of this virus from a primate to a human occurred in 1926. The first death was recorded in 1959. In the 60s of the last century, symptoms of AIDS were discovered in American prostitutes, but then they did not attach much importance to this. HIV was simply considered complex shape pneumonia.
HIV was recognized as a separate disease only in 1981, after the outbreak of an epidemic among homosexuals. Just 4 years later, scientists figured out how this disease is transmitted: blood and seminal fluid. The real AIDS epidemic in the world began 20 years ago. HIV is rightly called the plague of the 20th century.
This disease primarily affects the immune system. As a result, AIDS itself does not lead to death. But an HIV-infected person who simply lacks immunity can die from a simple runny nose.
All attempts to invent it to date have failed.
How dangerous is the papilloma virus?
About 70% of people are carriers of the papilloma virus, most of them are women. Papilloma is transmitted sexually. Of the more than 100 types of papilloma virus, about 40 lead to various diseases. As a rule, the virus affects the human genitals. Its external manifestation is the appearance of growths (papillomas) on the skin.
The incubation period of the virus after entering the body can last from several weeks to several years. In 90% of cases, the human body itself will get rid of foreign microbodies. The virus is dangerous only for weakened immune systems. Therefore, papilloma often appears during other illnesses, such as influenza.
The most serious consequence of papilloma can be cervical cancer in women. 14 known strains of this virus are highly oncogenic.
Is bovine leukemia virus dangerous for humans?
Viruses can infect not only people, but also animals. Since humans eat animal products, the question of the danger of such pathogens to humans is increasingly being raised.
The leukemia virus is in first place in terms of damage. It infects the blood of cows, sheep, goats and provokes serious illnesses, and in some cases, death.
Research shows that more than 70% of people have antibodies in their blood that can fight the bovine leukemia virus. However, this does not exclude the possibility of human infection with this virus. The likelihood that bovine leukemia can lead to blood cancer in humans is very small, but there is the possibility of others negative consequences. The leukemia virus can attach to human cells, causing mutations. In the future, this may create a new strain of it, which will be equally dangerous for both animals and humans.
Although viruses can benefit people, this does not outweigh their harm. They died from them more people than died in all the wars of the world for all times. This article listed the most dangerous viruses in the world. We hope you find this information useful. Be healthy!
There is an opinion that previously people got sick much less often, but the truth is that without the necessary level of technological progress it was impossible to identify some viruses and provide their treatment. Why, even today, having the opportunity to grow artificial organs and having mastered neurosurgery, humanity has not been able to significantly reduce the list incurable diseases, moreover, it increases due to exposure to radiation, pollution environment, poor quality food, as well as the adaptation of viruses and bacteria to antibiotics.
We have collected the deadliest and most persistent pathogens and ranked them the most dangerous viruses in the world for humans, describing the main symptoms, origin and distribution area of each of them. Some have almost been eradicated through vaccination, and some have been main theme evening news just a week ago.
10. Influenza virus A subtype H5N1 (bird flu)
It got its name due to the killing of huge livestock poultry in Southeast Asia, from where it spread throughout the planet. The greatest damage was caused to countries with poorly developed medicine or suffering from an influx of migrants. Initially it affected all types of animals besides humans, but soon reached us. It started out as a regular flu, with a cough and fever, and was able to take the lives of about half of those infected only because, due to symptoms typical of a cold, they avoided going to the hospital and sought to solve the problem on our own. The spread was stopped by vaccination, because if the immunity copes with the first hit of the strain, then subsequently you lose the chance of becoming infected, with the exception of rare mutations.
9. Luho fever
On the ninth line of the ranking of the most dangerous viruses for humans in the world is a fever that is not inferior in aggressiveness even to Ebola. The only thing that has prevented the epidemic is the complex method of transmission - exclusively tactile contact. The first victim was a travel agent, followed by her four doctors. The main symptoms are excessive bleeding, coma and failure internal organs, but it has not yet been possible to establish either the reasons for the appearance or ways to combat the disease, because it is relatively young - less than six months have passed since its discovery.
8. Cercopithecus (simian) herpes virus B
About 70 percent of macaques are considered carriers of this disease. It is extremely easy to become infected; all you need to do is get a scratch, or get a primate’s saliva on your skin, after which you will develop symptoms of ordinary herpes. After a few days, the rash will go away, but there is no way back - herpes B has already settled in the nerve cells, first a cough and runny nose will appear, which will be replaced by tremors and loss of consciousness. A total of 17 human cases of infection were reported, 15 of which were fatal. The only saving grace is that it is transmitted by airborne droplets only in monkeys; people need closer contact, which is quite easy to avoid.
7. Dengue fever
Every year, about 50 million people in Central Africa are infected, which makes dengue fever one of the most dangerous viruses in the world for humans. There are two types: classic and hemorrhagic, and if the first can be treated extremely effectively, the second will give you a 50% chance of survival. The carriers are mosquitoes and the bats, as well as primates. I'm glad that favorable conditions Only areas around the equator are susceptible to spread, meaning it is extremely difficult to get sick as a European.
6. Rabies virus
In the Middle Ages, when diagnostics in medicine was just emerging, it was assumed that a person was possessed by demons, hence the name, although in practice this is an extremely aggressive form of inflammation of the brain, which first disrupts the functioning of the nervous system, clouding the mind, and then finishes off through the failure of internal organs. Everyone, without exception, is vaccinated against rabies back in early age, which significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment after bites from infected animals, but you should still go to the nearest hospital immediately. In general, the prognosis is positive, but if you delay it, then after 8 days you can already find yourself on your deathbed.
5. H1N1 virus (Spanish flu)
Number of victims of this disease, which originated in Spain and immediately affected about half of its population, not even bypassing the royal family, was twice the scale of the bloodiest war in human history. The worst thing is that there was no treatment for the disease as such; recovery depended on the strength of the immune system of each individual person, his diet and compliance with hygiene standards. The name originated during the First World War, where the leading bloody battles of the country decided to avoid news of the epidemic, and neutral Spain decided to take this desperate step, thereby allowing its citizens to take the necessary precautions, but still lost one and a half percent of the total population. In some cities, gravediggers died so often that people organized mass graves on their own.
4. Ebola
West Africa in 2014 attracted the attention of the world community, because an extremely rare, but almost always lethal virus was raging there. After an outbreak that killed about 15 thousand people, the World Health Organization recognized it as a global threat and began searching for a vaccine, which to this day has not been successful, which is extremely unfortunate, because in the case of a response to treatment with antiviral drugs within 7 days after infection , the chances of survival are only 4%. In Europe, Ebola fever has not become widespread due to high level medical care, water filtration and significant distance from natural sources of spread. This virus was first discovered in the Ebola River area (Democratic Republic of Congo) 12 years ago, where the first victims of the disease were registered.
3. Smallpox virus
Fortunately, the third of the most dangerous viruses for humans in the world was completely eradicated three decades ago, although its manifestations have been recorded in literature since the time of Alexander the Great. But in 1964, a worldwide smallpox vaccination campaign was launched, and by the end of the eighties, the disease was completely defeated. The last victim was one of the laboratory assistants in the United States in May 1978. The fact is that someone did not pay enough attention to ventilation, and the room in which she worked was not properly ventilated. Let us remember that there is no cure for this virus today, and death from smallpox occurs just a few days after infection. Smallpox spread throughout the world during the era of the slave trade, when it was brought from Africa.
2. Marburg hemorrhagic fever
Very similar to Ebola, but much more treatable. The gateways to the body are the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, as well as small wounds. It all starts with a sharp increase in temperature, then cirrhotic liver damage and disruption of the nervous system occur. It is when neuralgic symptoms appear that the greatest mortality rate is observed; people lose consciousness and never come to their senses. Mortality rates range from 50 to 90 percent. The body of a person who died of Marburg fever poses a biological hazard even three months after burial. Another problem is the possibility of asymptomatic fever during the first few days, which significantly reduces the chances of a positive treatment outcome.
1. HIV virus (AIDS)
The most dangerous virus in the world continues to claim millions of lives every year. The first victims among the population of civilized countries were homosexuals and drug addicts, which for a long time distracted attention from his research by promoting the erroneous assumption that it is lifestyle that causes such significant deterioration of the immune system. In 2008, French scientists received a Nobel Prize for the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus, and in 2015, for the first time, they succeeded in completely curing a child born from an HIV-positive mother from AIDS. Unfortunately for our country, the epidemic of this virus is gaining momentum in the Yekaterinburg region, and the total number of infected people in the country is about 1 million 100 thousand people. Therefore, try to avoid questionable sexual relations, drug use, and trust only those beauty salons that comply with the standards of sterilization of instruments.
Over the course of a lifetime, a person can get sick from so many different diseases and viruses that by old age he may not remember them all. Some diseases occur quickly and unnoticed, but others can be crippling. And to the question of which virus is the most dangerous, several dozen can be named.
What is a virus?
Translated from Latin, “virus” means “poison”. It is a cell-free organism that reproduces and lives only in the cells of living beings. Any virus consists of a protein shell containing DNA and RNA molecules.
Scientists know more than a hundred viruses that differ in shape and habitat. They mutate without problems and adapt to the characteristics of the organisms into which they have invaded. For viruses, life outside the cell does not exist. Microorganisms can cause many different diseases: measles, chickenpox, hepatitis, herpes, rabies, cancer, AIDS.
How do viruses spread?
All viruses that exist in nature can be divided into anthropotic (live in human body) and zooanthropotic (live in the body of animals). You can pick up one or another virus in several ways.
- Through food (contaminated food, water).
- Through blood (surgery, transfusion, from mother to fetus, sexual intercourse, through the bites of infected insects or animals).
- By airborne droplets (through the respiratory tract).
- Contact and household (through hygiene items).
Almost all viruses have their certain places locations. Thus, hepatitis B and C enter the liver; chickenpox spreads across the skin; The staphylococcus virus can “at its own taste” infect the intestines, throat, heart and other vital organs. All viral infections are accompanied by individual symptoms and can affect the body in different ways. Each has its own specific therapy.
The most dangerous viruses in the world
Our life is very unpredictable. Successful, healthy and strong man Tomorrow you can become practically disabled; it is enough to be infected with the most terrible and incurable disease - AIDS. For many people, just the word itself causes horror and trembling.
So, the 10 most dangerous viruses:
- Human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It was opened in the early 80s of the twentieth century. The immunodeficiency virus attacks the human immune system, completely depriving it protective functions. So, people can die from a simple runny nose or a scratch on the arm. The disease is incurable.
- In second place in the “Most Dangerous Viruses” category is a relatively new disease - spongiform encephalopathy, which damages the human brain and causes dementia. The disease is incurable. Death occurs within two years.
- Rabies. Death can occur as early as five days after infection. The rabies virus is at the heart of hundreds of zombie films.
- African fever. A tropical infection that is accompanied by high fever, muscle pain and hemorrhages. Some types of this fever are incurable and result in death.
- Plague is an infection that in the 14th century killed everyone it came across. A third of Europe died from this disease. In our time, the treatment for plague is the Haffkine vaccine, discovered at the beginning of the last century.
- Anthrax. It is found in both humans and animals. Infection spores can persist in the soil for many years; they are very tenacious and can even withstand boiling. Without treatment, 90% of the disease is fatal.
- Cholera. A disease with a mortality rate of 85%. Transmitted through household contact. Causes vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea and cramps. Nowadays, a vaccine against this disease is actively used.
- Meningococcal infection. Affects the upper respiratory tract, nasopharynx. Inflammations end in hemorrhages. The infection can penetrate the brain. May be fatal.
- Tularemia. The fever is similar to typhoid fever.
- Malaria, African trypanosomiasis, tuberculosis, pneumonia and some others.
This list is not all of the most dangerous viruses in the world. This is only a small part known to mankind.
Animal viruses dangerous to humans
Viruses that infect animals also pose a significant danger to humans. Infections enter the human body along with food - milk, meat, eggs. They are capable of developing severe, sometimes incurable diseases, and occur in people with complications.
Top most dangerous viruses that are transmitted from animals.
- Brucellosis.
- Tularemia.
- Toxoplasmosis.
- Rabies.
- Ringworm.
- Helminths.
- Trichinosis.
- Ancroceliosis.
Basic precautions can protect you from illness.
- Personal hygiene.
- High quality food processing.
- Vaccination of animals.
- Correct behavior with domestic and wild animals.
The most dangerous sexually transmitted human viruses
A person may not be aware of the presence of infections and diseases in his body for quite a long time. Thus, sexually transmitted infections can often occur without any symptoms. As a result, in the absence of a regular partner, the number of infected people may increase.
- AIDS is the first on the list of deadly infections. The virus can persist in the body for years and make itself felt after 7-10 years.
- Gonorrhea.
- Trichomonosis.
- Chlamydia.
- Syphilis.
- Genital herpes.
- Human papillomavirus.
All of the listed infections, except AIDS, are curable, but they leave their mark, affecting the internal organs and pelvic organs. One of the most terrible consequences is infertility.
You can protect yourself from such ailments with the help of a high-quality condom that has a valid expiration date. Anti-venereal drugs used in the first hours after sexual intercourse help with some sores. They treat the mucous membranes of the genital organs, and the chance of infection is reduced several times.
And, of course, the best prevention is a regular sexual partner. It should be remembered that the most dangerous human viruses are not only those that end in death, but also all known viruses, because any treatment can be both expensive and lengthy.
The impact of viruses on human health
Once in the body, a viral infection can occur in two forms - acute and chronic. Often the disease develops covertly, when a person is unaware of it and becomes a carrier (herpes, AIDS).
There are many different ways of transmitting viruses, so you need to always be on guard. Having had one or another illness once, the body can develop immunity (chickenpox, Botkin's disease). Diseases often recur and return accompanied by serious complications. Sometimes vaccination can help alleviate the infection or avoid it altogether.
The most terrible consequence of viruses is damage to internal organs, the nervous system and brain, and mucous membranes. Some infections can provoke cancer, and the most dangerous viruses in the world often end in death.
Prevention of viral diseases
Of course, it is much safer and cheaper for people to carry out timely prevention of viruses. This way you can avoid not only expensive treatment and health complications, but also save lives.
- So, the best prevention is personal hygiene. You should always wash your hands before eating and after going outside.
- You should only eat well-processed food, and be sure to wash vegetables and fruits. Products must be purchased in specialized stores.
- Strengthening the immune system should become a rule for every person.
- More positive - less stress!
- Infected people are indicated for quarantine and hospitalization.
- Don't forget about vaccination. Vaccinations are given against many diseases in childhood; there is no need to refuse them.
- Healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition and vitamins.
- Safe sex - some of the most dangerous viruses are transmitted through sexual contact.
Viruses that are best to get over in childhood
Viruses are one of the ancient forms of life on the planet. More than a thousand are known. Some exist quietly next to us, but some can cause serious damage to human health. Among all infections, there are some that are better to get over in childhood. Children's diseases are the most dangerous viruses for adults, especially for pregnant women.
What children tolerate easily can cause complications for an adult. Pregnant women represent a special risk group, because the infection can affect not only the mother’s body, but also intrauterine life. Infections suffered during pregnancy cause serious defects and abnormalities of the fetus.
Top diseases that are best to get in childhood:
- Measles (consequences for adults - encephalitis, meningitis).
- Mumps (can cause mumps, infertility, brain diseases).
- Chickenpox, rubella (especially dangerous for expectant mothers. They cause cataracts, heart defects, and brain enlargement in the fetus).
- Polio. Your child must be vaccinated against this disease. When the disease appears in an adult, it almost always ends in a wheelchair or death.
Equipment also suffers from viruses
A virus is a microorganism with its own DNA that can live and reproduce only in another organism. A computer virus is no different from an ordinary one. It is a specially written program that infiltrates and attacks other programs and files.
A computer virus can erase absolutely any file on its own. There are several signs of infection:
- The program is not working.
- The program is not working correctly.
- Extraneous information appears on the screen.
- The files cannot be opened or read.
- The operating system does not load.
- There are more files on the disk, but less memory.
It is impossible to say for sure which is the most dangerous virus on a computer, because each of them harms files and programs.
Five common computer viruses:
- "Friday the 13th" (Jerusalem) - deletes all programs.
- "Cascade of falling letters."
- “Melissa” - an email arrives in the mail “The document that was requested...”.
- “Letter of confession” or “letter of happiness.” An email with a declaration of love.
- Nimda - creates administrator rights on the computer.
All viruses are created by experienced programmers for the purpose of hacking and personal gain. However, for every poison there is an antidote. The most dangerous computer viruses can be “cured” antivirus programs or formatting the hard drive.
For the purpose of prevention, you should use only licensed programs, visit only trusted sites and use “clean” media.
Conclusion
During his life, a person suffers a huge number of all kinds of ailments and viruses. To some, he develops lifelong immunity, and some can return again. Proper nutrition, personal hygiene and good immunity will help protect yourself from various diseases. Some of the most dangerous viruses come to humans from animals (rabies, anthrax, salmonellosis), so it’s worth taking care of them too. For example, vaccinating animals reduces the risk of getting an infection several times.
Doctors classify all infections as rapid and slow. The slower the bacteria, the more dangerous it is to human life. This is justified by the fact that these microorganisms have the greatest destructive factor and also do not have pronounced symptoms.
Let's look at the main infections:
- Herpetic. Herpes is present in the body of every person, but it worsens only if a provocateur appears. In appearance, herpes can be identified by characteristic blisters on one or another part of the patient’s body.
- Acute respiratory viral infection. This microbe enters the human respiratory tract and then infects them. The symptoms are similar to the flu or a common cold. The most dangerous part of the disease is the possibility of getting chronic bronchitis or pneumonia.
- Encephalitis. This microbe affects the human brain, which leads to the destruction of the central nervous system and consciousness. This disease has an extremely high mortality rate. Once infected, patients often fall into a coma, experience seizures and paralysis of some limbs. Also, this microbe contributes to the development of multiple organ failure, the result is death in 9 out of 10 cases.
- Hepatitis. Infection of the body with such a microbe leads to damage to the liver tissue. Subsequently, disturbances and complications in the functioning of this organ develop. These symptoms can lead to a disastrous outcome.
- Polio. After the disease, a person will experience constant convulsive attacks, and subsequently develop inflammation of the brain and loss of consciousness. As a result of these symptoms, paralysis is possible. The disease is extremely dangerous, as it leads to disability of the patient.
- Meningitis. This microorganism penetrates under the cerebral cortex and infects the cerebrospinal fluid. Subsequently, the virus “travels” throughout the human circulatory system. Can lead to disturbances of consciousness and atrophy of the muscles of the arms or legs, even despite correct therapy.
- Measles. After the onset of the disease, the patient develops a red rash on certain parts of the body, a cough and a fever. In itself, the microorganism is not particularly dangerous, but if you do not treat the infection in time, you can get complications in the form of encephalitis or meningitis.
- STD. Sexually transmitted diseases have been around for a long time. Previously, they were considered extremely dangerous, but with the current level of medicine, they can be completely cured. To completely eradicate the disease, symptoms must be identified in a timely manner.
Viral diseases affect cells that already have abnormalities, which the pathogen takes advantage of. Modern research has proven that this only happens when the immune system is severely weakened and is no longer able to adequately fight the threat.
Features of viral infections
Types of viral diseases
These pathogens are usually distinguished by genetic characteristics:
- DNA - colds viral diseases human, hepatitis B, herpes, papillomatosis, chicken pox, lichen;
- RNA – influenza, hepatitis C, HIV, polio, AIDS.
Viral diseases can also be classified according to the mechanism of their effect on the cell:
- cytopathic - accumulated particles rupture and kill it;
- immune-mediated - the virus integrated into the genome sleeps, and its antigens come to the surface, putting the cell under attack by the immune system, which considers it an aggressor;
- peaceful – the antigen is not produced, the latent state persists for a long time, replication starts when favorable conditions are created;
- degeneration - the cell mutates into a tumor cell.
How is the virus transmitted?
The viral infection spreads:
- Airborne. Respiratory viral infections are transmitted by drawing in particles of mucus splashed during sneezing.
- Parenterally. In this case, the disease spreads from mother to child, during medical procedures or sex.
- Through food. Viral diseases come from water or food. Sometimes they lie dormant for a long time, appearing only under external influence.
Why do viral diseases become epidemics?
Many viruses spread quickly and en masse, which provokes epidemics. The reasons for this are the following:
- Ease of distribution. Many serious viruses and viral diseases are easily transmitted through droplets of saliva inhaled. In this form, the pathogen can maintain activity for a long time, and therefore is able to find several new carriers.
- Reproduction rate. After entering the body, the cells are affected one by one, providing the necessary nutrient medium.
- Difficulty in eliminating. It is not always known how to treat a viral infection, this is due to lack of knowledge, the possibility of mutations and difficulties in diagnosis - at the initial stage it is easy to confuse it with other problems.
Symptoms of a viral infection
The course of viral diseases may differ depending on their type, but there are common points.
- Fever. Accompanied by a rise in temperature to 38 degrees, only mild forms of ARVI pass without it. If the temperature is higher, this indicates a severe course. It lasts no longer than 2 weeks.
- Rash. Viral skin diseases are accompanied by these manifestations. They may appear as macules, roseolas, and vesicles. Characteristic for childhood, in adults, rashes are less common.
- Meningitis. Occurs due to enterovirus and is more common in children.
- Intoxication– loss of appetite, nausea, headache, weakness and lethargy. These signs of a viral disease are caused by toxins released by the pathogen during its activity. The strength of the effect depends on the severity of the disease; it is more difficult for children; adults may not even notice it.
- Diarrhea. Characteristic of rotaviruses, the stool is watery and does not contain blood.
Human viral diseases - list
It is impossible to name the exact number of viruses - they are constantly changing, adding to the extensive list. Viral diseases, the list of which is presented below, are the most famous.
- Flu and colds. Their signs are: weakness, fever, sore throat. Antiviral drugs are used, and if bacteria are present, antibiotics are additionally prescribed.
- Rubella. The eyes, respiratory tract, cervical lymph nodes and skin are affected. It spreads by airborne droplets and is accompanied by high fever and skin rashes.
- Piggy. The respiratory tract is affected, and in rare cases, the testes are affected in men.
- Yellow fever. Harmful to the liver and blood vessels.
- Measles. Dangerous for children, affects the intestines, respiratory tract and skin.
- . Often occurs against the background of other problems.
- Polio. Penetrates into the blood through the intestines and breathing; when the brain is damaged, paralysis occurs.
- Angina. There are several types, characterized by headache, heat, severe sore throat and chills.
- Hepatitis. Any variety causes yellowing of the skin, darkening of urine and colorlessness of feces, which indicates a violation of several body functions.
- Typhus. Rare in modern world, affects the circulatory system and can lead to thrombosis.
- Syphilis. After damage to the genital organs, the pathogen enters the joints and eyes and spreads further. It has no symptoms for a long time, so periodic examinations are important.
- Encephalitis. The brain is affected, a cure cannot be guaranteed, and the risk of death is high.
The most dangerous viruses in the world for humans
The list of viruses that pose the greatest danger to our body:
- Hantavirus. The pathogen is transmitted from rodents and causes various fevers, the mortality rate of which ranges from 12 to 36%.
- Flu. This includes the most dangerous viruses known from the news; different strains can cause a pandemic; severe cases affect the elderly and young children more.
- Marburg. Discovered in the second half of the 20th century, it is the cause of hemorrhagic fever. Transmitted from animals and infected people.
- . It causes diarrhea, the treatment is simple, but in underdeveloped countries 450 thousand children die from it every year.
- Ebola. As of 2015, the mortality rate is 42%, transmitted through contact with the fluids of an infected person. Signs are: a sharp increase in temperature, weakness, muscle and throat pain, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, and possible bleeding.
- . Mortality is estimated at 50%, characterized by intoxication, rash, fever, and damage to the lymph nodes. Distributed in Asia, Oceania and Africa.
- Smallpox. Known for a long time, it is dangerous only to people. Characterized by a rash, high fever, vomiting and headache. The last case of infection occurred in 1977.
- Rabies. Transmitted from warm-blooded animals, it affects the nervous system. Once symptoms appear, treatment success is almost impossible.
- Lassa. The pathogen is carried by rats and was first discovered in 1969 in Nigeria. The kidneys are affected nervous system, myocarditis and hemorrhagic syndrome begin. Treatment is difficult, fever claims up to 5 thousand lives annually.
- HIV. Transmitted through contact with the fluids of an infected person. Without treatment, there is a chance to live 9-11 years; its complexity lies in the constant mutation of strains that kill cells.
Fighting viral diseases
The difficulty of the fight lies in the constant change in known pathogens, making the usual treatment of viral diseases ineffective. This makes it necessary to search for new drugs, but at the present stage of medical development, most measures are developed quickly, before crossing the epidemic threshold. The following approaches have been adopted:
- etiotropic – preventing the reproduction of the pathogen;
- surgical;
- immunomodulatory.
Antibiotics for viral infections
During the course of the disease, the immune system is always suppressed; sometimes it needs to be strengthened to destroy the pathogen. In some cases, for a viral disease, antibiotics are additionally prescribed. This is necessary when a bacterial infection occurs, which can only be killed in this way. In case of a pure viral disease, taking these medications will not bring any benefit and will only worsen the condition.
Prevention of viral diseases
- Vaccination– effective against a specific pathogen.
- Strengthening immunity– prevention of viral infections in this way involves hardening, proper nutrition, and support with plant extracts.
- Precautionary measures– exclusion of contacts with sick people, exclusion of unprotected casual sex.
