About Virus

A virus is a small infectious particle that needs a living cell to reproduce. Viruses are not alive by themselves, and can multiply only when infect and get inside the cells of an infected host. The virus attaches to a cell (often a specific type of cell), infect (enter) the cell, and releases its nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) that dictates the production of proteins that are necessary for viral reproduction, and influence the metabolism and the fate of the host cells. Unlike bacteria, antibiotics do not affect viruses, and antiviral drugs are more difficult to design. Immune cells in our body produces anti-viral antibodies and interferons upon infection by viruses.

The most common viral infections are those of the lungs and airways which include the common cold, flu, throat infections and bronchitis. More dreadful form of viral diseases such as HIV and hepatitis are also rather common. What can we do to lower our chances of getting any of these viral infections?