Viral Diseases

Viruses are tiny microorganisms composed of genetic material encased in a protein shell. They produce common infectious ailments such as colds, flu, and warts. Many severe diseases are caused by viruses such as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and even COVID-19.

Viruses infiltrate normal living cells and use them to increase and produce other viruses like themselves. Killing, damaging, or changing your cells leads to illnesses. It assaults specific cells in your body, such as your liver, respiratory system, or blood. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. However, antiviral medication can treat some viral infections. In some cases, vaccines can also help protect you from viral infections.

Viral Structure

What are Viral Diseases?

Viral diseases are those infections that are caused by viruses. Different infections are caused by different viruses. The most common type of viral infection is common flu which is caused by infections in the respiratory system. Other important viral diseases include:

Common Flu
Gastroenteritis
Yellow Fever
Dengue
Influenza
Chickenpox
AIDS/HIV
Herpes
Viral Hepatitis

Infection of plants is also caused by a virus. An overview of different viral diseases with their causes and symptoms is given below:

Viral Diseases	Virus
Common Flu	Rhinovirus
Gastroenteritis	Norovirus, Calicivirus, rotavirus
Yellow Fever	Arbovirus
Dengue	Dengue Virus
Influenza	Influenza Virus
Chickenpox	Varicella-zoster Virus
AIDS/HIV	Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Herpes	Herpes simplex virus
Viral Hepatitis	Bacillus Cereus

Causes of Viral Diseases

Viruses can be found in the air, ground, and on animal bodies. The sizes of these microscopic organisms are measured in nanometers. Human bodies contain a large number of viruses. Most viruses are not harmful to the body because the immune system creates antibodies that fight viruses and try to kill them.

A dangerous virus may be opportunistic, which means that when the human immune system weakens to various causes, the virus seizes the opportunity to become a pathogen. The virus and the immune system are frequently found in a balanced approach.

Types of Diseases Caused by Viruses

There are various types of diseases caused by viruses; some of them are briefly discussed below:

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is sometimes termed “stomach flu.” It is characterized by significant digestive tract inflammation, especially in the stomach and intestines. The initial signs of the condition are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which develop nearly quickly.
This illness can be addressed by increasing the consumption of salty and mineral-rich liquids to prevent dehydration.

Yellow Fever

Patients infected with this virus are more prevalent in continents such as Africa, South America, and Central America.
Symptoms of this virus include nose and mouth bleeding, dark-colored vomiting, yellow skin coloring, dehydration, cardiac arrhythmia, and high fever. It is a sickness that can be avoided by immunization.

Dengue

Dengue, like yellow fever, is spread by the bite of the Aedes Aegypti fly. It feeds on the blood of an infected individual and then transmits the virus to a healthy person through its sting.
Lymph node enlargement, fever, severe muscular pain, joint discomfort, and the emergence of skin rashes are among the most typical signs of this disease. Like other viral infections, dengue can be avoided by delivering a single-dose vaccination.

Influenza

This happens when the RNA virus lodges and reproduces in the body’s cells. It often affects the respiratory tract and is frequently misdiagnosed as cold in its early stages.
Headache, malaise, fever, dry cough, bodily weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, and sore throat are the most prevalent symptoms of this condition. The use of influenza vaccinations can help to avoid this condition. These vaccinations often protect patients against many strains of flu, including swine flu.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is infectious when the body’s cells infect the varicella-zoster virus.
Chickenpox symptoms include headache, lack of appetite, physical tiredness, and fever. This sickness is nearly never dangerous and usually lasts no more than ten days. Ointments, lotions, and skin creams are commonly used to treat it.

AIDS/HIV

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) destroys the immune system, rendering patients vulnerable to potentially fatal illnesses.
AIDS, termed Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is a time of HIV infection in which there are low levels of defense and the advent of uncommon diseases known as opportunistic infections, which occur when the HIV-infected person’s immune defenses are weak.

Symptoms of Viral Diseases

The important symptoms of viral diseases are:

Flu-like symptoms like sore throat, headache, etc.
Irritability
Sneezing
Malaise
Swollen tonsils
Weightloss excessively.

Treatment of Viral Diseases

The treatment for viral diseases includes-

Proper drinking of fluids
Proper nutrition
Proper Rest
Medication for body aches and pain.

Conclusion

Vaccines, for example, can help avoid significant illnesses by protecting against potentially dangerous pathogens. India is constantly threatened by developing and re-emerging viral diseases as a country with extreme geo-climatic diversity. Illness surveillance in the country has to be improved, focusing on epidemiology and disease burden. Improving emergency planning and response for these diseases is critical by concentrating on a ‘One Health‘ strategy.