Viruses cause a broad range of human diseases. These microscopic particles spread out easily, typically through person-to-person contact or touching polluted surface areas. Once inside the body, viruses get in cells and replicate quickly. Viral infections cause a host of different diseases, some moderate and others potentially deadly.
Unfortunately, reliable antiviral medications exist for just a couple of the numerous human viral diseases. Oftentimes, treatment for a viral disease includes relieving symptoms up until the body’s immune system clears the infection.
Breathing Infections
A range of viruses cause various types of respiratory infections. Rhinovirus, coronavirus and adenovirus are the leading causes of the acute rhinitis. Influenza viruses infect the upper breathing system and sometimes spreads to the lungs causing pneumonia. Another virus called the breathing syncytial infection (RSV) causes a breathing infection called bronchiolitis in babies and toddlers. The symptoms of bronchiolitis consist of dry cough, rapid breathing and wheezing, a high-pitched noise sick children make when exhaling.
Gastrointestinal System Infections
A number of types of viruses cause viral gastroenteritis, commonly called the stomach flu. This common disease, identified by diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, is brought on by many different viruses, however not the influenza virus. Inning accordance with a June 2012 “American Family Physician” short article, viruses cause 75 to 90 percent of severe intestinal disease in children.
Rotavirus is the most typical cause of viral gastroenteritis amongst children. Norovirus is the leading reason for viral gastroenteritis break outs. Other viruses that cause the stomach flu include adenovirus, calicivirus and astrovirus. Many cases of viral gastroenteritis clear on their own within 2 to 4 days, but dehydration might need medical treatment.
Central Nervous System Infections
Numerous viruses can contaminate the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spine. For example, enteroviruses and herpes viruses can cause meningitis and encephalitis. Inning accordance with an October 2014 post published in the “The Neurohospitalist,” other viral causes of main nervous system infections are emerging, including West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis infection, human parechoviruses and Chikungunya infection.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain and spine. Sleeping sickness is an inflammation of the brain tissue itself. The symptoms of these main nerve system infections overlap and can consist of fever, headache, neck tightness and light sensitivity. Mental status changes prevail, including confusion, mood instability, severe absence of energy and possibly coma. Seizures occur in some people with meningitis or encephalitis.
Skin Infections
Viruses cause a wide range of skin infections. Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) cause some of the most typical skin infections. HSV type 1 has the tendency to cause vesicles in the mouth and on the lips, typically called cold sores or fever blisters. HSV type-2 has the tendency to cause genital herpes. Inning accordance with the Cleveland Clinic, 85 percent of the population has blood test evidence of direct exposure to HSV-1, even if they never ever had symptoms. The varicella infection causes chickenpox, a disease defined by itchy fluid-filled bumps on the skin that ultimately rupture and scab over. The varicella virus also causes shingles, which is a reactivation of the virus years after the initial bout of chickenpox.
Another group of viruses, the human papillomaviruses (HPV), cause warts. Warts are a typical skin infection and can affect any skin surface area. The feet, hands and face are regularly impacted by typical warts or plantar wart. Genital warts are the most typical sexually transmitted infection. Amongst women, genital warts brought on by particular types of HPV can predispose to cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against these cancer-causing types of HPV.
Lots of Other Diseases
There are clearly many other human diseases triggered by viruses. Undoubtedly, lots of professional medical books adhere specifically to this subject. A couple of notable examples that have gathered the attention of the general public health neighborhood and the population at big consist of:
- Zika: a virus spread out mainly by mosquitoes that can cause birth defects
- MERS-CoV: the virus responsible for Middle East breathing syndrome, a potentially lethal breathing infection
- Ebola: virus spread through contact with infected body fluids that can causes an often deadly illness called Ebola hemorrhagic fever
- HIV: virus accountable for obtained immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Hepatitis C: infection that usually develops long-lasting infection of the liver, and is the leading cause of liver transplants and liver cancer in the U.S.
