Viruses Are All Around Us.

Did you know that there are more than 5,000 viruses know to man that can be described in detail and more than a million different types of viruses still being discovered and researched? It is very important to know what a virus is and how they can affect the body so if you get sick you know how to stay safe. 

What is a virus? A virus is an infective microscopic organism that lives in anything alive that can only reproduce in the living host (virus). They are not alive (virus). Viruses could be in humans, plants, or animals (virus). The virus stays in the cells of the body or plant (virus). The virus can grow and reproduce until it is killed or destroyed (virus).  

Knowing what a virus is can help in the process of learning how viruses affect organisms. According to www.mrphome.net  “First the virus attaches to a specific host cell. Then the virus’s hereditary material enters the host cell. Next the virus’s hereditary material causes the cell to make viral hereditary material and proteins. After that, new viruses form inside of the host cell. Last new viruses are released as the host cell bursts open and is destroyed” (Glencoe/McGraw-Hiee). 

It is very important to know how viruses affect organisms so people can know how different viruses affect the human body. Viruses that attack the body after getting in cells can cause some pretty bad sicknesses (Staff). Meningitis is the swelling of the thin layer of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord from an infection (Staff). The symptoms of meningitis are headache, fever, and a stiff neck (Staff). This can happen to anyone (Staff). This virus can be deadly if it is not treated right away (Staff).   

Meningitis is a very scary virus but so is the Mumps. Mumps is a disease made by a virus that spreads through spit that can infect many parts in the human body mostly the Salivary Glands (Foundation). When you have Mumps your glands get swollen and become very painful (Foundation). The swollen glands make it difficult for people who have the mumps to open their mouth, talk, eat, and drink (Foundation). When a person has the mumps it gives them the appearance of a hamster, making the infection pretty easy to recognize (Foundation). The mumps can be deadly if not treated immediately (Foundation).

Knowing about viruses and how they affect your body is very important if you want to stay safe while being sick. There are hundreds of viruses known to man and many to learn about. If people know about viruses it will help find new viruses and keep people safer.

Bibliography

Foundation, The Nemours. "Mumps ." April 2009. KidsHealth . 19 April 2012 <http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/mumps.html>.

 

Glencoe/McGraw-Hiee. "Viruses." McGraw-Hill, Glencoe. Life Science: Life's Structure and Function (Book A). Glencoe/McGraw-Hil, 2008. 54-57.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. Meningitis . 29 April 2011. 18 April 2012 <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meningitis/DS00118>.

"virus." 2012. Merriam - Webster . 17 April 2012 <http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/virus>.