Latin for toxic or poison

A virus is a non-living microscopic particle, much smaller than a bacteria, which cannot grow or reproduce apart from a living cell. A virus invades living cells, called a host cell, and must use the host cell in order to replicate itself.

 Viruses are not affected by antibiotics. Viruses contain genetic information, either DNA or RNA (retroviruses). Viruses are much smaller than a bacteria. Viruses must have a host cell in order to replicate. All viruses are harmful, where as some bacteria can be beneficial to organisms.

Most viruses have NO cure (Influenza, & HIV), but some viruses like Smallpox have vaccines.
Vaccines contain a weakened or killed virus that provides immunity to the disease.

Viruses are NOT cells and are not made-up of cells. They dont
Contain a nucleus or cytoplasm Eat

Grow
Carry on respiration Or perform other biological functions

A virus is surrounded by a capsid (protein coat) which determines the shape of the virus.
The capsid contains nucleic acids
(either DNA or RNA).

Tail fibers

for attachment to host cell.

Disease Transmission AIDS/HIV Sexual contact; contaminated blood or needles Common Inhalation, direct contact Cold

Symptoms Immune system failure; fatal Sinus congestion, muscle aches, cough, fever

Smallpox

Inhalation

Influenza (Flu) Warts

Inhalation

Direct contact

Blisters, lesions, fever, blindness, scars; often fatal Headache, muscle ache, sore throat, cough, fatigue, fever, chills Lumps on skin or mucus membranes