Viruses are non-cellular structures that infect all types of living organisms. They are classified as microscopic organisms, meaning they can only be seen with a microscope. Viruses are also known as obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they infect other living cells of a different species.
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Types of Viruses
Viruses that Infect Humans
This type of virus infects both humans and animals, causing disease in both.
Smallpox virus: Symptoms include the appearance of pustules that spread all over the body. This disease is contagious during the period when the pustules rupture upon contact with an infected person. The disease can be prevented through vaccination.
Cowpox virus: This virus causes pustules on the udders of cattle and can be transmitted to humans.
Rabies virus: This type of virus infects a large number of animals, especially wild animals, and also birds. This virus can be transmitted to humans through contact with viral saliva via a bite.
Respiratory Viruses
This group includes more than 40 viruses that cause fever, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, fatigue, drowsiness, and sneezing.
Influenza virus: Causes fever, chills, and joint pain.
Mumps virus: Causes swelling in one or both glands, leading to severe pain when trying to open the mouth. This disease is accompanied by fever and headache.
Measles virus: This is a highly contagious disease that spreads rapidly. It causes severe inflammation of the nose, leading to a burning sensation, runny nose, cough, and diarrhea. It also causes severe inflammation of the larynx. This virus enters the human body through the upper respiratory tract and is transmitted from person to person through coughing or droplets expelled during sneezing. Polio virus: Those infected are usually carriers of the disease but show no symptoms. The infection is transmitted from person to person through feces, and it can be prevented through vaccination.
Insect-borne viruses: This category includes more than 180 types of viruses that are transmitted to humans by insects, such as mosquitoes, which transmit the yellow fever virus. These insects infect the central nervous system.
Non-specific viruses: This type of virus is transmitted orally through the ingestion of contaminated food, contact with the hands of an infected person, contaminated water, or contact with the personal items of an infected person. One of the most well-known examples is lumpy skin disease, a very serious disease that affects cattle, causing them to become emaciated and ultimately die. The following steps should be taken when this disease is present:
Implement a strict quarantine on infected areas.
Burn carcasses properly to prevent the spread of infection.
Disinfect farms, including all workers, equipment, and tools.
Treat other infected cattle to prevent further transmission.