VIRUSES AND BACTERIA!

1. VIRUSES AND BACTERIA! Microscopic things that can wipe out entire populations!

2. Chickenpox – This infection is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is highly contagious, being spread through coughing, sneezing, or contact with secretions. The main noticeable symptom is a skin rash. Viruses that you may be familiar with:

3. Ebola – Infection with this virus can lead to hypovolemic shock due to coagulation problems caused by the virus. It is spread through body fluids, conjunctivae, and also orally. Viruses that you may be familiar with:

4. Herpes – Herpes is a group of several viruses that infect humans. Diseases caused by the herpes viruses include cold sores, genital herpes, chickenpox, and shingles. Herpes viruses are spread between people by way of body fluids, through the air, and through contaminated objects and surfaces. Viruses that you may be familiar with:

5. HIV – Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. The virus attacks the immune system, which eventually allows other diseases to infect and proliferate in the body. Viruses that you may be familiar with:

6. Influenza – Influenza is commonly known as the flu and is caused by influenza viruses. These viruses can be found in both animals and humans. The flu viruses are spread through humans by way of respiratory secretions. Viruses that you may be familiar with:

7. Rabies – The rabies virus causes a fatal disease in animals and humans. Transmission of the virus often occurs through the saliva of animals. Viruses that you may be familiar with:

8. West Nile Virus – This virus can be found in both tropical and temperate areas. It is known to infect several animal species and also humans through infected mosquitoes. Infection symptoms can range from asymptomatic all the way to encephalitis-like symptoms. Viruses that you may be familiar with:

9. Definition: A virus is a noncellular particle made up of genetic material and protein that can invade living cells. • The word virus comes from that Latin word for poison. Viruses

10. There are 3 basic shapes of viruses: • Helical Viruses

11. There are 3 basic shapes of viruses: • Polyhedral Viruses

12. There are 3 basic shapes of viruses: • Enveloped Viruses

13. Most viruses have 2 basic parts: • A core made up of either DNA or RNA as genetic material. • An outer protein covering (capsid). • Ex. • T4 bacteriophage Viruses

14. Viruses are very small: • They range from 10-400 nm (nanometers)! Viruses

15. Some terms you need to be familiar with: • Epidemic: • A disease affecting many persons at the same time, and spreading from person to person in a locality where the disease is not permanently prevalent. Viruses

16. Some terms you need to be familiar with: • Pandemic: • A world-wide epidemic. One that spreads from country to country. Viruses

17. Some terms you need to be familiar with: • Antigenic drift: • Mutations that occur in the viral DNA that can cause the outer protein spike to alter their shape. This means that antibodies cannot recognize them! (All viruses do this to some extent due to sloppy replication.) Viruses

18. Some terms you need to be familiar with: • Antigenic shift: • The combining of two existing viruses’ genetic material to produce a new, more virulent strain of virus. • Some animals, like pigs, act as mixing vessels to cause antigenic shift! Viruses