What is a virus?
How does it affect the body? Is it deadly? A virus is a parasite made of
protein and hereditary material. Viruses can only reproduce when they are
inside a living cell called the host (Viruses, 2012). Viruses are the cause of
disease and are very dangerous. Even the common flu is a virus. Many viruses
can kill you, but there are many vaccines to help prevent from these
devastating parasites. In order to be intact with a virus, it must be inside
you first. Although viruses can be deadly, such as HIV, not all the time are
they deadly, nor are they permanent, such as the common flu.
What are some interesting facts
about viruses and things you should know? “The genetic information of viruses
can be DNA or RNA; single or double stranded; one molecule or in pieces.” Did
you know the name virus was coined from the Latin word meaning slimy liquid or
poison? Did you know that Viruses are not alive? “They
are inanimate complex organic matter. They lack any form of energy, carbon metabolism,
and cannot replicate or evolve. Viruses are reproduced and evolve only within
cells” (Ten
cool facts about viruses, 2012).
On the other hand,
Viruses are everywhere, but in order for them to take over/infect an
organism, they must get inside it. First, they must invade a cell called the
host cell so they can grow and reproduce, thus spread the disease throughout
the body. Most Viruses are contagious, so it’s important to stay sanitary at
all times. Viruses can enter the organism through the mouth, nose, or breaks in
skin (Infections-
bacterial and viral, 2012). A virus is a
microscopic one-celled organism called a microbe. Viruses are the most deadly
of microbes and can cause death depending on how bad things may get and what
virus you have caught (What
is a virus? 2012).
Although, many diseases, such as
Polio and Rabies, are very harmful to the organisms body and are dangerous as
well to yourself and others. Polio is the main disease of
paralysis. Polio has been around for a very long time. This disease starts by
striking the nervous system. This disease was more common back in the old days,
but now is more extinct in most parts of the world, but is still around. This
disease is rare in most parts of the world, but still exists. Many patients who
have had this disease have been paralyzed in different parts of their body, in
some cases, the whole body. Polio is a deadly disease and can kill you. Amazingly, up to 95 percent of
people infected with polio showed no symptoms and most others just faced your
standard flu-like fare, but those numbers can be misleading (Sander, 1995-2007).
Furthermore, the disease Rabies is very dangerous as well as
Polio. Foaming at the mouth is one of many symptoms that may occur if you have
the virus know as rabies. Rabies are generally passed by saliva, usually
through dog bites. Thanks to Louis Pasteur, we now have a vaccine for this
deadly disease. Although, it isn’t as common as it used to be. Many humans used
to get this disease all the time, but ever since we found out the vaccination,
the percentage of people getting rabies from today to those before 1885 is
tremendously lower. Many people do still get this disease though, and if it gets
to your brain, you’re a goner (Sander,
1995-2007).
As you can see,
this tells all about and proves how viruses are deadly and harmful to organisms.
If possible, avoid viruses as much as possible. The best way to do this is to
stay clean and be sanitary at all times. Surprisingly, one of the most common
ways of catching a virus is by not washing your hands. By doing this, you are
allowing these viruses to enter your body. Whenever you rub your nose, those
viruses on your hands can get inside you. This is one reason why you should
always stay sanitary. Viruses can kill you, keep this mind. Although viruses
are deadly, they won’t always lead to death but can be dangerous so put this
into consideration and be safe and stay clean.
Bibliography
(London), D. S. (2004). Virus. Retrieved April 26,
2012, from Virus.:
Infections- bacterial and viral. (2012, February
17). Retrieved April 16, 2012, from Better
Health Channel: http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/virus.html
Sander, D. (1995-2007). Alphabetical List of Virus Names.
Retrieved April 17, 2012, from
The Big Picture Book of Viruses:
www.virology.net/Big_Virology/BVVirusList.html
Ten cool facts about viruses. (2012).
Retrieved 4 23, 2012, from Virology blog:
http://www.virology.ws/2009/10/19/ten-cool-facts-about-viruses/
Viruses. (2012). Retrieved April 24, 2012, from Viruses:
http://www.ve.weber.k12.ut.us/05%205th/Reese/viruses.htm
What is a virus? (2012). Retrieved April 17,
2012, from DK Dialouge For Kids:
http://idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season8/viruses/facts.cfm
No comments:
Post a Comment