Virus infections

Virus, one of the various micro-organisms that cause diseases is the smallest of parasites ever known to man. It is only visible with the aid of electron or light microscopes. It is a sub cellular, sometimes crystallized, molecular particle with an outer protein and a central core of nucleic acid. It entirely depends on animal, bacteria or plant cells for reproduction. The major characteristic that differentiates viruses from other parasites is its nucleic acid core which independently is capable of causing infection. The basic infectious material of virus is the inner nucleic core containing either RNA or DNA and like most other parasites, animal virus stimulate host antibodies.

There are over 200 known viruses. Many of them are recently recognized due to newly identified clinical manifestations and the advancements in science as well. Most viruses produce mainly latent infections and sometimes overt diseases. However, they cause most of the major medical and health problems evident in the world today. Presently the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is one of the most widely spread viruses and is generating a global health concern.

Some viral infections include Adenovirus infections, Para-influenza virus infections and enteric virus infections.