Definition of a Virus

A virus is responsible for diseases such as chicken pox, AIDS and hepatitis. Some viruses can be prevented by immunizations; others are long-term diseases that have no cure or preventive mechanism.

Identification

• A virus enters the body, or host, through a mucus membrane and connects with a cell in the area of the body that will result in an infection or disease.

Size

• Viruses comes in many different shapes and sizes. The AIDS virus, for example, looks like a basketball, while the West Nile virus is more of a worm shape. An electron microscope is the only way to view viruses because of how small they are.

Types

• Some viruses, such as influenza or a cold, can leave the body after being treated by medication. These viruses are temporary in the human body. Viruses such as herpes simplex, HIV and multiple sclerosis, however, cannot be cured, but pain management and treatment-related medications can be administered. These viruses are chronic and long-term.

Prevention

• Washing hands after using the restroom and covering the nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing can reduce the risks of catching and spreading a virus. Immunizations are available to prevent being infected by many viruses.

Misconceptions

• Antibiotics cannot be used to treat viruses. Viruses such as AIDS cannot be transmitted by shaking hands; they can only by transmitted by contact with bodily fluids from an infected person.