Various viruses. The most dangerous viruses in the world

If you ask a person who has recently had the flu whether the virus can be useful for his body, at best he will twirl his finger at his temple. And he will be right in his own way. Viruses, those tiny microorganisms that reproduce only when they are in a living organism, are commonly associated with disease. Even the word "virus" means "poison" in Latin.

But Paracelsus also said that poison differs from medicine in dose. We present to you top 10 viruses that can be useful for people.

10. Bacteriophages are bacteria hunters

There is an invisible battle going on in our body. If a film were made based on it, it would come out. Imagine an organism that infects and devours another organism. Only the role of the monster is played by bacteriophages that live in the mucous membranes of the human body, and the role of the victim is played by harmful bacteria. A 2013 study showed that when a bacteriophage was introduced into a single culture of E. coli (Escherichia coli), it was able to kill it.

But bacteriophages do not infect human body cells and are successfully used in the treatment of bacterial infections. Isn't this one of the most useful viruses in the world?

9. GB virus C against HIV

Another interesting virus that is currently being studied by scientists is known as GB virus-C (GBV-C, aka hepatitis G). More than a billion people alive today are already infected with it without even knowing it.

Several experiments show that when a person with HIV also becomes infected with GBV-C, the progression of HIV may be slowed. Some experts also believe that GBV-C may help a person survive infection with Ebola hemorrhagic fever, although there is little data on this yet.

8. Viruses guarding embryos

When studying the cells of a three-day embryo, scientists discovered many viral proteins. Some of them have already begun to unite into something like ready-made virus particles. At the same time, they affected other genes of the embryo.

Thus, the viral protein Rec contributed to an increase in the level of the IFITM1 protein, which prevents viral infection from entering the cell. That is, some viruses can protect embryonic cells from their “brothers”.
In addition, the Rec protein regulated the number of ribosomes in several cellular RNAs. So far, scientists have not figured out how this can affect the embryo.
The results of experiments with germ cells were published in the journal Nature in 2015.

7. I teach, thanks to the virus

Arc Protein (Pink)

There is a “window of time” early in life when the brain is like a sponge and easily absorbs new knowledge and skills. Without a protein called Arc, this window will never open.

According to a study by scientists at the University of Utah, Arc looks and acts like a viral protein. It is capable of transferring genetic material from neuron to neuron. This is how viruses work to infect host cells.

The researchers injected Arc into bacterial cells. And when the cells produced this protein, it assembled into a capsid-like shape. This is the name of the shell containing the genetic information of the virus.

There is an assumption that a long time ago Arc entered the human genome along with some kind of virus. The virus, having integrated into the genome, “fell asleep”, and the cells began to use viral proteins for their own purposes.

The prospect that virus-like proteins could form the basis for a new form of communication between cells in the brain could change our understanding of how memories are created.

6. Stomatitis for the treatment of oncology

VSV

Not only people suffer from stomatitis. There is a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) that is common in horses. However, it can be transmitted to other animals and even people. The maximum that it can cause in humans is flu-like symptoms and blisters in the mouth.

But scientists were able to use this unpleasant virus for the benefit of humans. Genetically modified VSV is being used in innovative liver cancer therapy. The method was developed by researchers from the University of Miami and the Ottawa Clinical Hospital Research Institute. Its essence lies in the fact that some modified viruses, including VSV, can reproduce only in cancer cells that have lost antiviral protection. The innovative therapy is currently being tested in people with liver cancer.

5. Good and bad norovirus

Noroviruses are pathogenic microorganisms that cause vomiting, diarrhea and flu-like symptoms. Not only people suffer from them, but also laboratory mice; the virus easily destroys entire colonies of poor rodents.

However, some strains of norovirus have been shown to be beneficial in mice that were raised in a sterile environment. These experimental subjects lacked T and B cells in their bodies, which harmed their intestines and immunity. And with the addition of mouse noravirus, intestinal tissue was restored in “sterile” animals and immune defense was increased.

Perhaps in the future, people will be given certain strains of norovirus to treat gastrointestinal diseases.

4. Thanks to a retrovirus for live births

Childbirth is a complex and lengthy process. And perhaps some women would prefer to quickly lay eggs like snakes or turtles instead of a long labor. But alas, we have to thank the so-called “endogenous retroviruses” for the absence of this opportunity.

According to some scientists, these ancient viruses appeared in our ancestors and caused a mutation in the genetic code. Because of this mutation, mammals developed a placenta and the ability to give birth viviparously, which was a real evolutionary breakthrough. Scientists associate the most important changes that occurred in mammals about 60 million years ago with the extension of intrauterine development. Their brain size increased and their mental abilities gradually developed.

3. Gammaherpesviruses cannot be poisoned

Do you know the agony of food poisoning? This condition is often caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. But for every infection there is a solution. And in this case, it is another infection - gammaherpesvirus type MHV-68. It turned out that this infection, which occurs in a latent form, increases the human body’s resistance to Listeria monocytogenes.

This, of course, does not mean that you need to catch herpes to get rid of the threat of food poisoning.

2. Adenoviruses may help treat cancer

These are very common and highly contagious viruses. Fortunately, despite all this, they are not too dangerous for humans. For example, they can cause colds, gastroenteritis in children and, most dangerously, pneumonia in people with weakened immune systems.

In this case, the strain of adenovirus type 52 (HAdV-52) can bind to a specific type of carbohydrate that is found in cancer cells. This feature of the adenovirus requires further study, but gives hope for a more successful fight against various types of cancer in the future.

1. The virus will save you from the heat

First on the list of viruses beneficial to humanity is a microorganism that is not found in the human body. But it is still necessary, not for people, but for plants, in order to withstand very hot temperatures.

We are talking about a virus that infects an endophyte fungus. And he, in turn, grows on tropical millet, which does not care about tropical heat.

Scientists were able to attach the virus to other plants, and they became resistant to high temperatures. Researchers were able to grow tomatoes in soil whose temperature reached 60 degrees Celsius. When the virus was “removed,” the plant immediately lost its heat resistance.

Viruses can cause a wide variety of diseases, depending on the type of infection and the characteristics of the infected tissue. What types of viruses do humans have? There are a huge number of them, and throughout their lives people come into contact with most infectious agents in one way or another. The diseases they cause range from relatively mild to deadly. The most common viruses in the world are colds, flu, and hepatitis.

Viruses and colds

The common cold (as the common cold is called influenza, ARVI, laryngitis, pharyngitis) remains one of the most common human ailments. In the United States alone, about a billion cases of acute respiratory viral infection are registered every year. A viral infection of the lining of the nasal passages leads to a runny nose, watery eyes, sore throat and sneezing. The course of the disease lasts from one to two weeks. According to statistics, more than 200 of the known strains can cause a cold. What types of viruses are the most common causative agents of ARVI? These are various rhinoviruses, adenovirus, coronavirus, Coxsackie virus, echovirus, enterovirus, orthomyxovirus, paramyxovirus and

Influenza virus

Influenza is caused by three types of microorganisms. Types A and B lead to seasonal infections, occurring during a period beginning in late fall and ending in early spring. Type C virus infections are less common and most often cause mild illness. The most common flu symptoms include body aches, fever, feeling tired, headache, sore throat, dry cough and nasal congestion. Flu vaccinations protect against types A and B viral infections.

Enteric viruses

What viruses are found in the digestive system and what are their characteristic symptoms? Microorganisms of this type penetrate the tissues of the stomach and intestines, causing viral gastroenteritis. Common symptoms of the disease include abdominal pain, colic, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. In young children, including infants, gastroenteritis is often caused by rotavirus. This infection manifests itself in the form of fever, vomiting and watery diarrhea. Norovirus is an equally common causative agent of infectious diseases that affects both children and adults. However, in younger patients, diarrhea is almost always the predominant symptom of the disease, while incessant vomiting is more typical in adults. Other known enteric viruses include adenovirus, sapovirus, and astrovirus strains.

Hepatitis viruses

Infectious agents of this type infect the liver, initiating inflammatory processes. Science knows five different viruses that cause hepatitis; they were named based on the letters of the Latin alphabet from A to E. If you are interested in what types of hepatitis viruses exist in developed countries, then, according to statistical studies, in countries with developed infrastructure and medicine, types A, B and C predominate. The hepatitis A virus penetrates into the body when digesting food or water contaminated with feces. It causes one brief episode of hepatitis. Type B strains can cause acute or chronic liver infection. Microorganisms are found in blood and semen. The most common cases of hepatitis B infection include sexual intercourse, sharing the same syringes when using drugs, and transmission of the infection from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. Type C virus spreads through contact with the blood of a sick person. Repeated use of syringes by different people when using drugs is the most common method of transmission of infection. Hepatitis C, as a rule, becomes chronic, but adequate treatment in many cases can alleviate the disease.

Other viruses

What viruses do humans have besides the ones listed above? If you print a complete list of titles, you will have to publish several volumes of the list. Moreover: every year scientists discover new types, hitherto unknown. Some strains are very rare, but pose a great danger due to their potential lethality. These are, for example, the Ebola or rabies viruses. Other microorganisms are quite common and are the root cause of a huge number of diseases. For those who are interested in what types of viruses a person has, just open any popular medical reference book. Thus, a clear example of a common type of infection are herpes viruses that cause herpes simplex on the lips, genital herpes, infectious mononucleosis, chickenpox, shingles and many other ailments. The human papillomavirus causes not only the appearance of common warts on the skin, but also the development of cervical cancer.

What viruses have people been getting lately? Infections of the newest types - HIV, acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS coronavirus) - remain a serious problem, since today there is no truly effective treatment for these diseases.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of a viral infection is mainly based on a primary medical examination and analysis of the medical history. For example, a disease such as influenza is fairly easy to recognize, and most people are familiar with its manifestations. Detection of some other infections, however, may require additional diagnostic tests.

Diagnostic testing options for viral infection

Since the answer to the question of what viruses a person has involves thousands of answers, sometimes it is not enough to simply examine the patient and study his medical history. In such cases, doctors will order one or more of the following tests:

blood tests to check for antibodies to viruses or to detect antigens directly;
culturing blood components, bodily fluids, and other materials collected from the affected area;
spinal tap to analyze cerebrospinal fluid;
a polymerase chain reaction technique to create multiple copies of viral genetic material for faster and more accurate identification of the virus;
magnetic resonance imaging to detect inflammation in the temporal lobes of the brain.

Symptoms

What types of viruses do humans have? The list is incredibly extensive, but the symptoms of many infections can be systematized in order to compile a single list. Thus, signs of infection with the virus may include:

increased body temperature;
muscle pain;
cough;
sneezing;
runny nose;
chills;
diarrhea;
vomiting;
skin rash;
feeling of weakness.

More severe symptoms include:

neck stiffness;
dehydration;
convulsions;
paralysis of limbs;
loss of orientation in space;
back pain;
loss of sensation;
bladder and bowel dysfunction;
drowsiness, which may progress to coma or death.

Infection: viral or bacterial?

What types of viruses do humans have? The names are unlikely to say anything to a non-specialist, but one should distinguish between viral and bacterial infections.

Infections of both types cause deterioration in health and the development of various diseases. However, there is a difference between them. A viral infection, as its name suggests, begins with the impact of a virus on the body - a tiny intracellular agent even smaller in size than a bacterium. In addition, it is in a protective shell, which means it is more difficult to destroy. The virus penetrates a living cell and integrates its genome into its genetic apparatus. Such infectious agents are non-cellular particles and require foreign cells to reproduce. If you are wondering what types of viruses there are, the names you will find in this article will most likely point you to the main sites of infection. These are the nose, throat and upper respiratory tract. Viral strains can cause both the common cold and AIDS.

To initiate a bacterial infection, the pathogenic bacterium must gain entry into the body through contaminated water, cuts in the skin, or contact with an infected person or contaminated objects. One of the fundamental differences between the two types of infections is that bacteria can enter the body through contact with inanimate objects, including doorknobs and table tops, while viruses cannot. Another difference is that nature is a cell and reproduces by division, while the virus dies without a host carrier. Most often, bacteria enter the body through the respiratory tract or gastrointestinal tract. Some bacterial infections are contagious (such as strep throat).

Cause of viral infection

The question of what viruses a person has is especially acute because the cells of the human body are susceptible to them. When exposed to viral particles, the immune system tries to destroy the source of danger and remove foreign strains from the body.

Viruses can live in the human body without causing harm. These may be the same viruses that cause disease in humans. What types of viruses do humans have? Scientists have found several viruses living in healthy people.

Everyone knows that the human body has normal bacterial microflora. Modern research has shown that there is also a normal viral flora. Viruses live on the mucous membrane of the nose, in the mouth, on the skin, in stool and in the vagina.

In some cases, these viruses help strengthen the immune system. For example, the herpes virus lives in 90% of the world's population.

Viruses adapt to environmental conditions, and each virus penetrates certain cells of the body. Viruses cannot exist outside a living organism.

How the body fights viruses video

A person’s immune system, which has been formed over millions of years in the process of evolution, saves a person from the harmful effects of viruses. Some cells of the immune system recognize the virus, others bind it, and others destroy it. Thus, the immune response to the invasion of the virus is formed.

Human papillomavirus infection has been detected in people who did not have symptoms of an acute viral infection. It can cause throat cancer and cervical cancer.

The herpes virus lives quietly in the human body without causing harm. Adenoviruses, which cause colds and pneumonia, are also very common. Many viruses hide in cells and are difficult to detect.

hantaviruses transmitted from rodents or through their waste. These viruses can cause bleeding and thrombosis;
influenza virus;
Marburg virus causes bleeding, thrombosis, jaundice and pancreatitis;
rotavirus causes acute diarrhea, most often affecting young children;

Ebola virus causes thrombosis and bleeding. Characterized by a sharp increase in temperature, muscle pain, rash, diarrhea, kidney and liver dysfunction;
The dengue virus causes intoxication, fever, muscle and joint pain, rash and swollen lymph nodes;
Smallpox virus is the oldest virus;
the rabies virus depresses the central nervous system;
Lassa virus is a deadly virus that affects the respiratory system, kidneys, central nervous system, heart;
Human immunodeficiency virus is the most dangerous virus, transmitted through sexual contact or blood.

Every person should strengthen their immunity. To do this, you can do hardening, drink vitamin and mineral complexes, and eat right.

Infectious diseases are combined into a whole group of diseases caused by various agents. The virus enters the body in various ways, may already be in the body and manifest itself under certain circumstances. The main routes of infection are:

hematogenous (injections, non-sterile instruments, blood transfusions, dialysis procedures);
fecal-oral (through kissing, food or water, excrement);
through insect bites, bodies of water (for example, E. coli).

A viral infection enters the body and begins its development within various organs or systems. Viral infection has fundamental differences, which are expressed in the following aspects:

incubation period (can range from several days to ten years);
prodrome period (activation of the virus after incubation);
the height of the disease.

This scheme is suitable for any type of infection, from the usual ARVI to AIDS or hepatitis. Infectious diseases are very contagious, so the epidemiology of the disease is always large-scale. Treatment of viral infections should be carried out in hospitals, since at the height of the disease there are only two outcomes: recovery or death of the patient. A common viral infection in adults lasts from 7 to 10 days.

Paradoxically, when this carrier reproduces, it dies, and the patient begins to feel much worse. When a virus enters the body, especially during the prodrome, malaise is felt throughout the body. It is rare for a patient to clearly indicate the location of pain and discomfort. Usually all organs and systems are affected to one degree or another.

Main types

All viral infectious agents can be roughly classified into rapid and slow. The slower the reaction or intensity of development of the pathology, the more dangerous the virus is to human life. This is due to the long absence of symptoms, which means a great destructive impact. Among the main and common viruses are:

Herpetic infections. The herpes virus exists in the tissues of any human body, but becomes aggravated only in the presence of provoking mechanisms. Some people are completely unaware of this disease until the end of their lives. A characteristic sign of herpes is the appearance of blisters in different parts of the body.
Encephalitis. Encephalitis affects the membranes of the brain, causing irreversible damage to the central nervous system and human consciousness. The mortality rate of the disease is high. The disease is often accompanied by coma, convulsions, paralysis of the limbs and the whole body. Encephalitis provokes the development of multiple organ failure and the death of the patient in almost 90%.
ARVI. The ARVI virus infects the human respiratory system, causing the characteristic symptoms of colds and flu. These signs are known to almost all patients. The danger of a viral infection lies in the chronicity of the disease or in dangerous complications (bronchitis, pneumonia).
Viral hepatitis. The disease is characterized by damage to the liver and hepatic structures. Against the background of the development of pathology, persistent impairments in the functionality of the organ are formed, serious complications that can lead to the death of the patient.
Meningitis. Meningococcal infection is localized in the subcortical part of the brain and infects the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Distributed throughout the body through the bloodstream. Despite adequate therapy, persistent disturbances of consciousness and atrophy of the muscular structure of the limbs persist.
Polio. The development of the disease is accompanied by severe convulsions, loss of consciousness, and inflammation of the spinal cord. Paralysis often occurs. Usually the disease leads to profound disability for the patient.
Measles. Measles is characterized by the appearance of a red rash on different parts of the body, persistent hyperthermia, and cough. The measles virus is a relatively harmless condition, but often provokes complications such as meningitis or encephalitis.
Sexual infections. A common type of infection, known during the formation of any society. Today, this type of infection is highly treatable, provided it is detected early.

Each group of infections represents a huge list of diseases. The nature of the disease determines the degree of danger of the infectious agent. Timely diagnosis, attention to one’s own body, and preventive vaccination protect children and adults from the dangerous consequences of infection.

General signs

Signs of a viral infection in adults directly depend on the nature of the infecting agent, its location and extent of spread. Common signs include:

slight chills;
muscle weakness and soreness;
sensitive skin to contact;
swollen lymph nodes;
persistent body temperature;
disruption of the functioning of certain organs;
lacrimation, sore throat, cough.

The main difference between ARVI and regular flu is the manifestation in the first case of symptoms of infection, followed by the addition of disorders of the respiratory system. Respiratory diseases usually begin immediately with laryngitis or pharyngitis. For example, when a herpetic infection worsens, patients experience the appearance of blistering formations in different parts of the body, their health worsens, and irritability and pain appear in the areas of the blisters. Meningococcal infection manifests itself with severe symptoms with pain in the head, confusion, severe deterioration in health and other characteristic signs.

Indications for hospitalization

If the usual signs of ARVI do not frighten many patients and they are able to give an objective assessment of their condition, then the following are the symptoms of a viral infection in adults, which require immediate medical attention:

maintaining high temperature;
fainting, loss of consciousness:
confusion, tremors in the limbs;
cough with sputum;
fever;
pain behind the sternum, insufficient inspiration;
the appearance of a rash (redness, large blisters, large spots);
severe headache radiating to the neck;
coughing up blood;
pasty face or swelling of the limbs.

Such symptoms can be regarded as a complication of a common acute respiratory viral infection, the onset of a serious brain disease. If your immune system is unstable and your condition worsens due to colds, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of viral infections is as follows:

visual examination of the patient;
studying the patient’s clinical history;
immunological study:
chest x-ray;
urine, blood, stool tests.

Differential diagnosis consists of excluding life-threatening conditions. If necessary, doctors prescribe an MRI of the brain, additional blood tests for various enzymes, and other studies. A timely visit to a doctor will save the patient’s health and life.

Treatment tactics

The treatment tactics for viral infections consist of following the following algorithms:

elimination of the cause of the disease (provoking mechanisms);
elimination of unpleasant symptoms (pain, dyspeptic disorders, respiratory disorders, other factors);
bed rest and special diet.

Drug treatment of a viral infection begins after an accurate diagnosis and clarification of the provoking factors. So what should you take for this disease? A typical ARVI involves prescribing the following medications:

non-steroidal drugs (relieve inflammation, reduce fever, relieve pain);
antihistamines (have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic effects);
local nasal drops (vasoconstrictors for runny nose, swelling and severe nasal congestion);
throat remedies (relieve redness, swelling, disinfect and soothe irritated mucous membranes);
antitussives (promote the separation of sputum, eliminate spasms during the cough reflex, reduce irritation in the bronchi and disinfect).

For other mechanisms of pathology, appropriate drugs are prescribed to increase local immunity and eliminate characteristic symptoms. For example, for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, local drugs of specific administration are prescribed for men and women; for herpetic infections, it is necessary to prescribe antiviral drugs for local and internal use. Enteroviral intestinal infection requires special drugs from the group of absorbents. It is important to understand that taking antibiotics for viral infections is not only pointless, but also very dangerous for the condition of the kidneys, liver or stomach.

The right thing to do is to drink plenty of fluids.

Proper and nutritious nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, the absence of bad habits, and increased local immunity allow any patient to maintain health for a long time. With a burdened clinical history, it is important to undergo regular examinations and carry out preventive vaccinations. Preventing a disease or episodes of its exacerbation during a chronic course is much easier than starting to treat it.

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 – human cold viral diseases, 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:
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 of childhood, rashes are less common in adults.
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, high fever, 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 the modern world, it 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 and nervous system are affected, 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.

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