What is Viral Infection?
Viral infection is a disease that we humans suffer because of a microorganism known as a ‘Virus’. This very tiny infectious agent comprises genetic material from DNA or RNA. Furthermore, you suffer from a viral infection when a virus enters your body and uses components of your body cells to multiply. This mechanism of action often destroys infected cells. In addition, it is also a fact that not all viral infections are contagious. However, a few, such as the common cold, HIV, and herpes, are contagious. Here are a few facts you need to know about viral infections.
What are The Types of Viral Infections?
There are about six types of viral infections. They are as follows:
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GI infection:
A virus attacks your gastrointestinal tract to cause a medical condition known as ‘Gastroenteritis’. Furthermore, this disorder is caused by rotavirus and norovirus.
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Nervous System infection:
Some viruses attack the brain and thereby cause severe nervous system infection. For example, Rabies and the West Nile virus trigger a disorder known as encephalitis. In addition, there are others which cause damage to layers of tissue that protect the spinal cord and brain.
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Respiratory System infection:
Like, other major systems of your body, the Respiratory System too can be affected by a virus attack. When it comes to infections, the upper airways, throat, nose, and lungs in your body are attacked by a virus. Some common viral respiratory disorders include sinusitis, the common cold, pneumonia, influenza, and coronavirus.
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Liver infection:
A virus, when it infects the liver, causes a medical condition known as ‘Hepatitis’.
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Skin infection:
When a virus affects your skin, it triggers blemishes or warts.
For example, chickenpox is a disease triggered by a virus on the skin.
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Fetus and Placental infection:
Some viruses such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, and Zika virus can infect the placenta and fetus in pregnant women.
How do Viral Infections Spread?
There are many ways in which viruses can be transmitted in the following ways. They are as follows:
- Transfusion of contaminated blood
- Sexual transmission
- Insect bites
- Swallowing
- Inhalation
Measures You Need to Take to Keep Viral Infections Completely at Bay:
To keep Viral Infections away from your body, you can take appropriate general measures, take vaccinations, or use immune globulins.
Furthermore, the personal precautions you must take include washing your hand frequently, taking only well-prepared food and drinks, using safe sex, and many other techniques.
Several vaccines for various Viral Infections are available, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Influenza, Human papillomavirus, Japanese encephalitis, Rotavirus, etc.
Finally, there are also immune globulins, the sterile solution of antibodies you can use to prevent Viral Infections.
Compared to bacteria, the treatment of Viral Infections proves to be rather challenging. It is mainly because a virus is relatively small and can reproduce quickly inside the cell. In addition, for some lethal viruses such as HIV/AIDS, there are available antiviral medications.
