Viral diseases are diseases that result from infection with one of the types of viruses, and viruses are microorganisms composed of one type of genetic material, it may be made up of deoxyribonucleic factor (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA), and this genetic material that makes up the virus is Coated with a layer of protein.
When viruses penetrate the human body, they begin their activity, as they use the components of the invaded cells in their reproduction process, which causes damage to the cells or their complete destruction.
Viral diseases have been of great importance throughout the ages, as the spread of some types leads to a complete change in the course of social and economic life. The most prominent examples of this are:
Smallpox disease that killed more than 300 million people.
The new Corona disease that changed the life course of all countries.
It is worth noting that viral diseases may or may not be contagious, depending on the type of virus.
Most common types of viral diseases
Because of the many types of viral diseases, it is very difficult to mention them all, so the most prominent and most prevalent viral diseases will be mentioned in the following:
1. Diseases of the respiratory system
Respiratory diseases caused by viruses are very common and widespread, and in the following a group of these viruses will be mentioned:
Respiratory syncytial virus.
Rhino virus.
Corona virus.
Adenovirus.
Epstein-Barr virus.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-Cov).
2. Gastrointestinal diseases
There is a large group of viruses that cause disorders in the digestive system, and these viruses are represented by the following groups:
Polioviruses.
Coxackieviruses.
Echoviruses.
Enteroviruses.
3. Diseases of the reproductive system
Viral diseases that affect the reproductive system are very numerous, and in the following, the most prominent types of viruses that cause some types will be mentioned, including:
Herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Human papilloma virus (HPV).
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Symptoms of viral diseases
It cannot be said that the symptoms of viral diseases are the same, as the symptoms differ according to the type of virus and its location, so in the following, the symptoms will be divided according to the most prominent viral diseases:
1. Symptoms of viral diseases that affect the respiratory system
Symptoms are usually the following
stuffy nose
Cough.
Gonorrhea.
fever.
body pain
Tired.
shortness of breath.
2. Symptoms of viral diseases affecting the digestive system
Most of the symptoms of viral gastrointestinal diseases are often the following
Colic.
Diarrhea or constipation.
Vomiting and nausea.
Feeling strange bowel movements.
High body temperature.
3. Symptoms of viral diseases affecting the reproductive system
The most prominent symptoms of viral venereal diseases are the following
Foul smell of the genital area.
abnormal secretions
Itch.
Sores.
Skin incisions lead to slight bleeding.
Causes and risk factors for viral diseases
The most prominent causes of viral diseases will be mentioned according to their type as follows:
1. The causes of viral diseases that affect the respiratory system
The main reason is often the transmission of viruses between people through the following
Inhalation of the spray of an infected person.
Using the tools of an injured person filled with aerosols.
2. The causes of viral diseases that affect the digestive system
The main causes of viral diseases of the digestive system are as follows
Eating foods contaminated with the virus.
Drinking liquids contaminated with the virus.
Putting the virus-infected hand in the mouth.
3. The causes of viral diseases that affect the reproductive system
The main causes of genital viral diseases are as follows
Sexual contact with an infected person, and it often takes multiple sexual contacts for the infection to pass.
Blood transfusion, where blood transfusion from an infected person to a healthy person leads to the disease directly.
Exposure to a wound from a tool contaminated with the virus.
Sharing syringes used by several people that are contaminated with the virus.
Complications of viral diseases
The most prominent complication in the event of the inability to confront the virus that causes the disease is death, as in all viral diseases there are death rates resulting from viral diseases.
It is worth noting that this complication is in varying proportions for each viral disease, for example, the death from smallpox was very high before a vaccine was found for it, and this is the opposite of what is observed in the death rates resulting from influenza of all kinds.
Diagnosis of viral diseases
Viral diseases are diagnosed through one of the following methods
1. Antibody detection assays
The presence of an acute or recent viral infection can be confirmed by detecting the presence of specific immunoglobulin M (Immunoglobulin -M) in the serum sample, or an increase in immunoglobulin G (Immunoglobulin-G) specific in double sera, as the presence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) indicates ) and the absence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) indicates a previous infection with the virus.
2. Electron microscope examination
Viruses are too small to be seen with a light microscope. Therefore electron microscopy is used to determine the phenotype of many human viruses.
However, electron microscopy is not a tool used routinely to identify and diagnose viruses because viruses are usually present in very small numbers in clinical specimens and contaminants may obscure their presence and visibility.
3. Agriculture
Viruses only reproduce in living cells So they are grown in the lab using monolayers of cells to allow them to grow and multiply and then determine their type.
Treatment of viral diseases
Treatment of viral diseases depends on the type and location of the virus, so this will be detailed as follows:
1. Treatment of viral diseases that affect the respiratory system
Often, the treatment of most viral diseases that affect the respiratory system is self-medication, meaning that the body s antibodies and gets rid of them after several days of infection, but sometimes it may require some auxiliary medications, most notably the following:
Nasal decongestants.
Cough suppressants.
pain killers.
In the event that the disease is very severe, the doctor can prescribe antiviral drugs.
2. Treatment of viral diseases that affect the digestive system
There are no treatments for viral digestive diseases, as in most cases they are eliminated through the body''s resistance to them, but the following recommendations can be applied during infection to reduce complications:
Drink more fluids.
Eat healthy foods and stay away from harmful foods, especially fried foods.
Drink an infusion of some herbs that relieve colic, such as: mint infusion, chamomile infusion, and sage infusion.
3. Treatment of viral diseases that affect the reproductive system
Treatment of genital viral diseases requires many procedures, and unfortunately some of these diseases cannot be cured, such as AIDS, and the aim of medications is only to relieve symptoms and complications.
Venereal diseases are treated with antiviral drugs, in addition to the following
pain killers.
Antipruritics.
It should be noted that surgical treatment can be addressed in some genital viral diseases, such as human papillomavirus infection.
Prevention of viral diseases
The most important ways to prevent viral diseases will be mentioned according to the place of infection as follows:
1. Methods of prevention of viral diseases that affect the respiratory system
This type of disease is often prevented as follows
Wear masks.
Stay away from people who have symptoms of cold diseases.
Avoid using and touching other people''s tools.
Continuous hand washing.
Taking vaccinations that limit infection, such as seasonal flu vaccines.
2. Methods of prevention of viral diseases that affect the digestive system
Viral digestive diseases can be prevented through the following
Wash hands well, especially after using the bathroom.
Do not share tools with others.
Maintaining clean surfaces.
Avoid eating unreliable foods.
Taking vaccinations that limit infection with some types of diseases, such as the rotavirus vaccine.
3. Methods of prevention of viral diseases that affect the reproductive system
The ways to prevent viral venereal diseases are through the following
Practicing safe sex, by using a male or female condom during sexual intercourse.
Avoid using syringes used by others.
Verifying that the blood transfused into the body is free of viruses, and this is the responsibility of health care institutions.
Do not tamper with sharp tools of unknown origin.
