How to Diagnose a Virus

A virus is a microbiotic infectious agent that requires a host cell to replicate. Viruses cause a wide array of diseases ranging from the common cold and flu to Ebola and AIDS. Due to the severity of certain diseases caused by viruses, one should exercise haste and diligence when attempting to diagnose a virus. Read on to learn how to diagnose a virus.

Things You'll Need

• Physician

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Instructions

• 1

  Educate yourself. Viruses fall into two major categories: DNA and RNA viruses. The Baltimore classification system contains seven types, grouped by mode of replication and genome type. Viruses are also classified by the disease they cause.

• 2

  Recognize the warning signs and symptoms. As a result of the plethora of viruses and multitude of symptoms, there are many things that can easily be mistaken for viral infections. To learn more about viruses, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. See the Resources section below for a link.

• 3

  Contact a doctor. If you believe you are at risk or have contracted a virus, seek proper medical attention. Only a medical expert can diagnose a virus with complete certainty.

• 4

  Ask for the appropriate test. There are several different tests for viruses, including assays and plaques.

• 5

  Remain calm. Even if the test is positive, there are many ways to treat the majority of diseases associated with viruses. For most viruses, proper rest and nourishment will be adequate to allow your body to recuperate.

• 6

  Know your options. Even though many viruses cannot be cured, there are very effective treatments and medications to help mitigate the effects of viruses.