Biology investigatory

project
To study and investigate prevention
and treatment methods of different
types of viral human diseases
 Introduction
The viruses are non-cellular organisms that are characterised by
having an inert crystalline structure outside the living cell. Once
they infect a cell they take over the machinery of the host cell to
replicate themselves, killing the host.
The name virus that means venom or poisonous fluid was given
by dmitri ivanowsky [1892] recognised certain microbes as causal
oranism of the mosaic disease of tobacco. These were found to be
smaller than bacteria because they passed through bacteria-proof
filters. M.w. beijerinek [1898] demonstrated that the extract of
the infected plants of tobacco could cause infection in healthy
plants and called the fluid as contagium vivum fluidum [infectious
living fluid]
W.m.stanley [1935] showed that viruses could be crystallised and
crystals consist largely of proteins.

Bacteriophage
 Genetic content
In addition to proteins, viruses also contain genetic material that
could be either rna or dna. No virus contains both rna and dna. A
virus is a nucleoprotein and the genetic material is infectious. In
general, viruses that infect plants have single stranded rna and
viruses that infect animals have either single or double stranded
rna or double stranded dna. Bacterial viruses or bacteriophages
[viruses that infect the bacteria] are usually double stranded dna
viruses. The protien coat called capsid made of small subunits
called capsomers protects the nucleic acid. These capsomers are
arranged in helical or polyhedral geometric forms. Viruses cause
diseases like mumps, small pox, herpes, and influenza. Aids in
humans is also caused by a virus. In plants, the symptoms can be
mosaic formation, leaf rolling and curling, yellowing and vein
clearing, dwarfing and stunted growth.

What are viral diseases ?

Viral diseases are extremely widesread infections caused by
viruses, a type of microorganism. They are made up of
genetic material, such as dna and rna, that’s enclosed in a
coat of protein.
Viruses invade cells in your body and use components of
those cells to help them multiply.
There are many types of viruses that cause a wide variety of
viral diseases. The most common type of viral disease is the
common cold, which is caused by a viral infection of the
upper respiratory tract [nose and throat].
 How do they spread?
Viral diseases are contagious and spread from person to person
when a virus enters the body and begins to multiply. Common
ways that viruses spread from person to person include:
- breathing in air-borne droplets contamined with a virus.
- eating food or drinking water contaminated with a virus.
- having sexual contact with a person who is infected with a
sexually transmitted virus.
- indirect transmission from person to person by a virus host, such
as a mosquito, tick or field mouse.
-touching surfaces or body fluids contaminated with a virus.

Respiratory viral diseases

Respiratory viral diseases are contagious and commonly affect the
upper or lower parts of your respiratory tract.
Example- common cold
Causing agent- rhino viruses
Common symptoms- : runny or stuffy nose
: coughing or sneezing
 : fever
: body aches
Transmission-
Respiratory viruses are spread by droplets generated through
coughing or sneezing. If someone with a viral illness coughs or
sneezes nearby and you inhale these droplets, you may develop
the disease.
These viruses can also be spread through contaminated objects,
such as doorknobs, tabletops and personal items. If you touch
one of these objects and then touch your nose or eyes, you could
develop a disease.
Treatment-
Respiratory viral diseases usually heal on their own. But over-the-
counter [otc] medications, including nasal pain relievers, can help
to reduse symptoms.
In addition, tamiflu, an antiviral drug, is sometimes prescribed if
someone is in the very early stages of developing the flu.
Prevention-
The best way to avoid respiratory viral diseases is to practice good
personal hygiene. Wash your hands often, cover your mouth
when you cough or sneeze, and limit your interactions with
people who show symptoms of a respiratory condition.
Gastrointestinal viral
diseases
Gastrointestinal viral diseases affect your digestive tract. The
viruses that cause them are contagious and usually lead to a
condition called gastroenteritis, also called the stomach flu.
Example- norovirus infection
Causing agent- non enveloped, single stranded
rna viruses
Symptoms- : abdominal cramps
: diarrhea
: vomiting
Transmission-
Gastrointestinal viruses are shed in the stool during bowel
movements. Food or water that’s been contaminated by feces
can spread the virus
To others.you can also get the virus from sharing utensils or
personal objects with someone who has a virus.
Treatment-
There aren’t any treatments for gastrointestinal viral diseases. In
many cases, they resolve on their own within a day or two. In the
meantime, drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost from
diarrhea or vomiting.

Prevention-
You can prevent gastrointestinal viral diseases by washing your
hands often, especially after using the bathroom. Wiping down
contaminated surfaces and not sharing personal items or eating
utensils can also help.

Exanthematous viral
disease
Exantematous viruses cause skin rashes. Many of them cause
additional symptoms as well.
Many of the viruses in this category, such as the measles virus,
are highly contagious.
Example- chickenpox
Causing agent- the varicella-zoster virus [vzv]
Transmission-
Many exanthematous viruses are spread through respiratory
droplets from the cough or sneeze of someone with the virus.
Other exanthematous viral diseases, such as smallpox, can be
transmitted by coming into contact with fluid in broken skin
lesions.
Shingles only occurs in people who’ve had chickenpox at some
piont. It’s a reactivation of
The varicella-zoster virus that’s been lying dormant in your cells .
Chikungunya virus is spread through a mosquito bite and cannot
be transmitted from person to person.
Treatment-
Treating exanthematous viral diseases focuses on managing
symptoms. Fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen,
can help with some of the more bothersome symptoms.
Antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, may be given for chickenpox or
shingles.
Prevention-
Measles, rubella, chickenpox, shingles and smallpox can all be
prevented through vaccination. You can reduce your risk of a
chickunguniya virus infection by protecting yourself from
mosquito bites.

Hepatic viral diseases

The hepatic viral diseases cause inflammation of the liver, known
as viral hepatitis. The most common types of viral hepatitis are
hepatitis a,b and c.
It is worth nothing that diseases caused by other viruses, such as
cytomegalovirus and the yellow fever virus, can also affect the
liver.
Examples- hepatitis a, b , c , d and e
Transmission-
Hepatitis b and c can be transmitted from person to person
through bodily fluids. Sharing items that come in to contact with
blood, such as needles or razors, can also spread the virus.
Hepatitis b can be spread through sexual contact.
People get hepatitis a and e by consuming food
Or water that’s been contaminated with feces from someone
with the virus .
You can only develop hepatitis d if you already have the hepatitis
b virus.
Treatment-
Treatments for hepatitis b,c and d focus on managing symptoms.
In some cases, a doctor might prescribe medicine, such as
antiviral drugs.

treatment of hepatitis a and e involves supportive measures,

such as getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids and avoiding alcohol.
Prevention-
There are vaccines for both hepatitis a and b. There’s also a
vaccine for hepatitis e.
Other ways to prevent viral hepatitis include not sharing needles
or razors, practicing safe sex, and avoiding food or drinks that
may be contaminated by feces.

Cutaneous viral diseases

Cutaneous viral diseases cause lesions or papules to form on the
skin. In many cases, these lesions can stick around for a long time
or come back after disappearing for a while.
Example- genital herpes
Causing agent- herpes simplex virus [hsv]
Symptoms- : pain or itching
 : small red bumps
: scabs
: ulcers
Transmission-
These viruses are contagious. They’re usually spread through
close physical contact with someone who has the virus or
touching a contaminated object, such as a towel.
Treatment-
Papules that form due to warts or molluscum often go away on
their own. They can also be removed by simple in-office
procedures, such as cryotherapy.
There’s no cure for herpes, but antiviral medications, such as
acyclovir, can help to shorten or prevent outbreaks.
Prevention-
Practicing good hygiene habits, avoiding the sharing of personal
items, and avoiding close contact with people who have active
lesions can reduce your risk of developing a cutaneous viral
disease.
 Conclusion
There are many viral diseases. Some, such as the common cold or
the stomach flu, are minor and go away on their own within a
fewdays.
Others, however, are more serious.
Unlike bacterial infections, viral diseases don’t respond to
antibiotics. Instead, treatment usually focuses on managing
symptoms and supporting the immune system with plentyof rest
and hydration.
 Reference

-biology ncert book class 11th

-biology ncert book class 12th
-healthline.com
-healthgrades.com
-topperlearnig.com