Over the last two years, the Covid-19 pandemic has introduced the world to the serious nature of viruses and the potential danger they can inflict. Unfortunately, other similar pathogens exist and knowing the particulars about said organisms and how they operate is crucial to maintaining optimal health.
What Are Viruses?
Scientists label viruses are tiny parasites requiring a host to sustain life and replicate. Typically, these particles are microscopic and even smaller than other common pathogens like bacteria.
Moreover, viruses contain genetic material like DNA or RNA. This material provides instruction for how the body of a host should reproduce said pathogen. Furthermore, viruses possess the capacity to recognize and attack the cells of host they are compatible with.
How Do Viruses Spread?
Viruses can spread through several different modes.
Sometimes, these organisms end up on frequently touched objects like counter tops and door knobs. In other instances, said pathogens infiltrate natural locations, such as the air, soil, and water sources and infect individuals breathing, drinking or consuming these contaminated reserves.
Additionally, viruses can spread from person to person contact. When individuals sweat, sneeze, or cough, they release bodily fluids that might contain droplets of a particular pathogen that infiltrates surrounding air and is breathed by the newly infected subject.
How Do Viruses Change?
Over time, viruses can evolve. Medical investigators maintain such alterations can be divided into two categories: drifts and shifts.
Drifts
What scientists officially label as antigenic drifts occur when pathogens experience small changes in their genetic makeup. Said events alter the composition of the impacted virus’s surface proteins.
Under normal circumstances, surface proteins ultimately result in the production of antibodies, which protect individuals from repeatedly contracting the same viruses.
However, as time progresses, changes to surface proteins grow so pronounced that the body’s immune system fails to recognize these different variations as threats and the afflicted person might develop symptoms caused by the pathogens in question.
Shifts
Shifts happen when a virus’s surface proteins experience rapid, major alterations. In such cases, a new and more serious virus is caused. Shifts usually occur with less regularity and are capable of causing significant and widespread illness through major outbreaks and events like pandemics.
The Most Widely Spread Viruses
Medical researchers maintain that there are literally more viruses in the world than there are stars in the universe. Some are insignificant and harmless while others are deadly. That said, these investigators suggest that the most common and widely spread viruses are:
Flu
Also known as influenza, the flu virus is highly contagious and spread through liquid-like droplets spread through the air from person to person. The infection is capable of causing fever, body aches, digestive issues, and could be life-threatening in the elderly or those with compromised immune systems.
Common Cold
The common cold is amongst the most commonly transmitted viruses in the world. These pathogens are transmitted from close contact with infected subjects and may cause upper respiratory symptoms and a slight fever.
Bronchitis
The viral bronchitis pathogen attacks the lining of the lungs. The infection typically spreads via surface or air contamination and could result in coughing, elevated body temperature, and breathing difficulties.
Stomach Virus
Also referred to as the stomach flu, this pathogen occurs in individuals who acquired said organisms from fouled surfaces or consumed contaminated food or water. Such occurrences may result in cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting. These ailments could prove life-limiting in those with serious underlying illnesses.
Pneumonia
Viral pneumonia is a serious lung infection. Usually, the virus is transferred through the ingestion of airborne droplets expelled by infected and contagious souls. The disease could result in coughing, weakness, and dangerous breathing difficulties.
Covid-19
The Covid-19 virus lies in the family of Coronavirus pathogens that precipitated other serious outbreaks of respiratory illnesses that includes the SARS and MERS infections. This virulent pathogen is capable of causing aggressive and rapidly advancing respiratory problems and has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands since the global pandemic took hold in March of 2020.
Immune System-Boosting Techniques
A healthy immune system is crucial to fighting and ultimately conquering any virus that might enter the body. Fortunately, such aims might be achieved through actions including:
*Consume a nutritious, balanced diet
*Obtain adequate sleep
*Remain properly hydrated
*Augment diet with supplements and probiotics
*Limit stress whenever possible
*Refrain from potentially destructive vices
*Get enough exercise
Additionally, supplementation with human growth hormone might prove beneficial. Researchers have found the chemical, which is sometimes abbreviated simply as HGH. Benefits of HGH therapy include possibility to increase the production of important cells crucial to immune system health.
That said, HGH should be be administered under strict doctor supervision and may cause notable side effects.
Possible Prevention Methods
It is virtually impossible to completely prevent all viruses. Everyone will get sick from time to time. However, individuals can greatly reduce their risk by engaging in actions including:
Vaccination
Fortunately, there are vaccinations for viruses like the flu and Covid-19. It should be stressed that inoculations do not always prevent infection but typically limit the illness’s severity.
Distancing
Individuals are urged to maintain safe social distances between themselves and others. Moreover, those who feel sick are implored to stay home from work, school, or any other social interaction.
Diet
Certain nutrients are thought to strengthen the immune system, such as Vitamins A, the B complex, C, D,folic acid, zinc, iron, and selenium.
Final Thoughts
Viruses are plentiful and could prove serious. However, individuals who exercise the proper precautions stand a better chance of resisting them or, at the very least, not encountering serious illness.
