Viral Disease, Definition,Transmission, Treatment, and Prevention

 Viral disease definition

Viruses are very small infectious agents. They’re made up of a piece of genetic material, such as DNA or 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. This process often damages or destroys infected cells.

A viral disease is any illness or health condition caused by a virus. Read on to learn more about some of the main types of viral diseases:

They aren’t always contagious.

Not all viral diseases are contagious. This means they aren’t always spread from person to person. But many of them are. Common examples of contagious viral diseases include the flu, the common cold, HIV, and herpes.

Other types of viral diseases spread through other means, such as the bite of an infected insect.

credit/image: www. cdc,gov/getsmart

espiratory viral diseases

Respiratory viral diseases are contagious and commonly affect the upper or lower parts of your respiratory tract.

Common symptoms of a respiratory viral disease include:

• runny or stuffy nose
• coughing or sneezing
• fever
• body aches

Examples

Examples of respiratory diseases include:

• flu
• common cold
• respiratory syncytial virus infection
• adenovirus infection
• parainfluenza virus infection
• severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

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 decongestants, cough suppressants, and pain relievers, can help to reduce 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.

There’s also a vaccine that can help to reduce your risk of getting the seasonal flu.

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.

Common symptoms of gastrointestinal viral diseases include:

• abdominal cramps
• diarrhea
• vomiting

Examples

Examples of gastrointestinal viral diseases include:

• norovirus infection
• rotavirus infection
• some adenovirus infections
• astrovirus infection

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.

There’s also a vaccine for rotavirus that’s recommended as part of a child’s vaccination schedule.

Exanthematous viral disease

Exanthematous 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.

Examples

Examples of exanthematous viral diseases include:

• measles
• rubella
• chickenpox/shingles
• roseola
• smallpox
• fifth disease
• chikungunya virus infection

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 chickenpox and 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 point. 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 chikungunya virus infection by protecting yourself from mosquito bites.

Learn more about viral rashes.

Hepatic viral diseases

The hepatic viral diseases cause inflammation of the liver, known as viral hepatitis. The most commonTrusted Source types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, and C.

It is worth noting that diseases caused by other viruses, such as cytomegalovirus and the yellow fever virus, can also affect the liver.

Examples

Examples of hepatic viral diseases include:

• hepatitis A
• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• hepatitis D
• hepatitis 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 medication, 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 hepatitis B. There’s also a vaccine for hepatitis E, but it’s not available in the U.S.

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.

Examples

Examples of cutaneous viral diseases include:

• warts, including genital warts
• oral herpes
• genital herpes
• molluscum contagiosum

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 or faucet handle.

Treatment

Papules that form due to warts or molluscum contagiosum 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.

Hemorrhagic viral diseases

Hemorrhagic viral diseases are severe conditions that involve damage to your circulatory system.

Symptoms of a hemorrhagic viral disease include:

• high fever
• body aches
• weakness
• bleeding under the skin
• bleeding from the mouth or ears
• bleeding in internal organs

Examples

Examples of viral hemorrhagic diseases include:

• Ebola
• Lassa fever
• dengue fever
• yellow fever
• Marburg hemorrhagic fever
• Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Transmission

Some hemorrhagic viral diseases, such as dengue fever and yellow fever, are spread through the bite of an infected insect.

Others, such as Ebola, are spread to other people through contact with the blood or other bodily fluid of someone with the virus. Lassa fever is spread through inhaling or consuming the dried feces or urine of a rodent with the virus.

Treatment

There’s no specific treatment for hemorrhagic viral diseases.

It’s important to stay hydrated if you have a viral hemorrhagic disease. Some people may need intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain electrolyte balance. Supportive care to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance is essential. In some cases, the antiviral drug ribavirin may be given.

Prevention

Researchers are in the process of developing vaccines for several hemorrhagic viruses. A yellow fever vaccine is currently available for people traveling to areas where yellow fever is common.

If you live or work in an area where viral hemorrhagic diseases are common, you can do the following to reduce your risk:

• Use proper protection, such as gloves, glasses, or a face shield, when working around people who have a virus.
• Avoid being bitten by insects, especially mosquitos and ticks, by wearing protective clothing or using insect repellent.
• Protect against rodent infestation by keeping food covered, removing garbage often, and making sure windows and doors are secured properly.

Neurologic viral diseases

Some viruses can infect the brain and surrounding tissues, causing neurologic viral diseases. This can result in a range of symptoms, including:

• fever
• confusion
• drowsiness
• seizures
• coordination problems

Examples

Examples of neurologic viral diseases include:

• polio
• viral meningitis
• viral encephalitis
• rabies

Transmission

Many neurologic viruses are spread through the bite of an infected animal or bug, such as a mosquito or tick.

Other viruses, such poliovirus and other enteroviruses, are quite contagious and spread through close contact with someone with the virus. Contaminated objects can also contribute to the spread of these viruses.

Treatment

There’s no specific treatment for people with mild viral meningitis or encephalitis. Getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and taking OTC anti-inflammatories to ease pain or headaches can all help. In some cases, antiviral medication may be prescribed.

Polio or severe cases of meningitis or encephalitis may require additional treatment, such as breathing assistance or IV fluids.

If an animal that’s suspected to have the rabies virus bites you, you’ll be given a series of shots to help prevent the rabies virus from infecting you.

Prevention

There’s a vaccine for both poliovirus and the mumps virus, which can cause meningitis and encephalitis.

Practicing good hygiene, avoiding close contact with those who have the virus, and protecting against insect bites can all help to reduce the spread of encephalitis and meningitis.

To reduce the risk of spreading rabies, keep your pets vaccinated and avoid approaching wild animals.

Bottom line

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 few days. 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 plenty of rest and hydration.

For complete information click the link:

credit/source: Viral Diseases: List of Types & Contagiousness, Treatment, Preven    (healthline.com

The information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as expert advice.

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RNA Seq Used to Discriminate between Bacterial and Viral Infections

credit/image: www. cdc,gov/getsmart

The ability of clinicians to discriminate between bacterial and viral infections among their patients is critical, not only to administer the appropriate therapeutic intervention but to help quell the rise in a major global health threat—antibiotic resistance stemming from overuse. Unfortunately, ailments such as lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) symptomatically present with similar clinical symptoms, regardless of the root pathogen—making proper diagnosis difficult.

Now, investigators at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) have released findings from a new study that utilized the power of RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and transcriptomic analysis to help physicians prescribe antibiotics to patients who need them and avoid giving them to individuals who don't. Results from the new study were published recently in Scientific Reports in an article entitled “Transcriptomic Biomarkers to Discriminate Bacterial from Nonbacterial Infection in Adults Hospitalized with Respiratory Illness.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause at least 2 million infections and 23,000 deaths each year in the United States. The use of antibiotics is the single most important factor leading to antibiotic resistance around the world, making this type of research more important than ever.

“Our genes react differently to a virus than they do to bacteria,” remarked co-senior study investigator Thomas Mariani, Ph.D., professor of pediatrics and biomedical genetics at URMC. “Rather than trying to detect the specific organism that's making an individual sick, we're using genetic data to help us determine what's affecting the patient and when an antibiotic is appropriate or not.”

While the researchers were excited by their findings and optimistic about the use of the technology to better diagnose patients, they did point out that the main limitation of their study is the small sample size and that the genetic classifiers selected from the study population may not prove to be universal to all patients.

credit/source: RNA-Seq RNA-Seto Discriminate between Bacterial and Viral Infections (genengnews.com

The information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and 

should not be taken as expert advice.

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Aloe Vera- health Benefits, Common Uses, Side Effects, and Risks

What Is Aloe Vera?

credit image: webmd.com

Aloe vera is gel from the leaves of aloe plants. People have used it for thousands of years for healing and soften the skin. Aloe has also long been a folk treatment for many maladies, including constipation and skin disorders. Modern-day research into aloe vera's benefits is mixed, with some evidence showing it can cause cancer in lab animals.

There are no foods that contain aloe vera, so it must be taken in supplement or gel form.

Some forms of aloe vera are safer to take than others, and chronic use is discouraged.

Aloe Vera Uses

Research backs up the ancient use of topical aloe vera as a skin treatment, at least for specific conditions. Studies have shown that aloe gel might be effective in treating skin conditions including:

• Psoriasis
• Seborrhea
• Dandruff
• Minor burns
• Skin abrasions
• Skin injured by radiation
• Herpes sores
• Acne
• Anal fissures

There’s also strong evidence that aloe juice, which contains latex, taken by mouth is a powerful laxative. In fact, aloe juice was once sold in over-the-counter constipation drugs. But because aloe’s safety was not well-established, the FDA ordered in 2002 that over-the-counter laxatives containing aloe vera either be reformulated or removed from store shelves.

Aloe vera gel taken orally (by mouth) seems to help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It may also help to lower cholesterol. The results of aloe vera studies for other medical conditions have been less clear.

How much aloe vera should you use?

Creams and gels with aloe vera vary in dosage. Some creams for minor burns have just 0.5% aloe vera. Others used for psoriasis may contain as much as 70% aloe vera. As an oral supplement, aloe has no set dose.

It’s easy to find aloe vera at the store. If you want to grow your own aloe vera plant, here’s how to collect the gel:

• Cut an outer leaf close to the stem and rinse it.
• Place on a cutting board, rounded side up.
• Use a knife to peel off the skin around the edges.
• Then use the knife to slide the gel off the remaining skin.
• Puree or mash it.
• You now have aloe vera gel.

Aloe Vera Risks and Side Effects

Talk to your doctor before using it. Researchers warn against the chronic use of aloe vera. But if the aloe product is free of aloin -- an extract of the plant that has been found to cause colorectal cancer in rats -- it may be OK as a topical remedy for sunburn. Aloin is found between the outer leaf of the aloe plant and the gooey stuff inside.

• Side effects. Topical aloe vera might irritate your skin. Oral aloe, which has a laxative effect, can cause cramping and diarrhea. This may cause electrolyte imbalances in the blood of people who ingest aloe for more than a few days. It can also stain the colon, making it hard to get a good look at the colon during a colonoscopy. So avoid it for a month before having a colonoscopy. Aloe gel, for topical or oral use, should be free of aloin, which can irritate the gastrointestinal tract.
• Risks. Do not apply topical aloe vera to deep cuts or severe burns. People allergic to garlic, onions, and tulips are more likely to be allergic to aloe. High doses of oral aloe are dangerous. Don’t take oral aloe if you have intestinal problems, heart disease, hemorrhoids, kidney problems, diabetes, or electrolyte imbalances.
• Interactions. If you take any drugs regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using aloe supplements. They could interact with medicines and supplements like diabetes drugs, heart drugs, laxatives, steroids, and licorice root. The oral use of aloe vera gel may also block the absorption of medicines taken at the same time.

Remider: Given the lack of evidence about its safety, aloe vera supplements should not be used orally by children, pregnant women, or breastfeeding.

credit/source: Aloe Vera - Health Benefits, Common Uses, Side Effects, and Risks (webmd.com)

The information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and 

should not be taken as expert advice.

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Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs Overview, Risk Factor and WHO Response

Key facts

• Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally.
• Each year, 17 million people die from a NCD before age 70; 86% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
• Of all NCD deaths, 77% are in low- and middle-income countries.
• Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes).
• These four groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
• Tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets all increase the risk of dying from an NCD.
• Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.

image credit: WHO- World Health Organization

Overview

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.

The main types of NCD are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.

NCDs disproportionately affect people in low- and middle-income countries, where more than three quarters of global NCD deaths (31.4 million) occur.

People at risk

People of all age groups, regions and countries are affected by NCDs. These conditions are often associated with older age groups, but evidence shows that 17 million NCD deaths occur before the age of 70 years. Of these premature deaths, 86% are estimated to occur in low- and middle-income countries. Children, adults and the elderly are all vulnerable to the risk factors contributing to NCDs, whether from unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, exposure to tobacco smoke or the harmful use of alcohol.

These diseases are driven by forces that include rapid unplanned urbanization, globalization of unhealthy lifestyles and population ageing. Unhealthy diets and a lack of physical activity may show up in people as raised blood pressure, increased blood glucose, elevated blood lipids and obesity. These are called metabolic risk factors and can lead to cardiovascular disease, the leading NCD in terms of premature deaths.

Risk factors

Modifiable behavioral risk factors

Modifiable behaviors, such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and the harmful use of alcohol, all increase the risk of NCDs.

• Tobacco accounts for over 8 million deaths every year (including from the effects of exposure to second-hand smoke) (1).
• 1.8 million annual deaths have been attributed to excess salt/sodium intake (1).
• More than half of the 3 million annual deaths attributable to alcohol use are from NCDs, including cancer.
• 830 000 deaths annually can be attributed to insufficient physical activity (1).

Metabolic risk factors

Metabolic risk factors contribute to four key metabolic changes that increase the risk of NCDs:

• raised blood pressure;
• overweight/obesity;
• hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels); and
• hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in the blood).

In terms of attributable deaths, the leading metabolic risk factor globally is elevated blood pressure (to which 19% of global deaths are attributed) (1), followed by raised blood glucose and overweight and obesity.

Socioeconomic impact

NCDs threaten progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a target of reducing the probability of death from any of the four main NCDs between ages 30 and 70 years by one third by 2030.

Poverty is closely linked with NCDs. The rapid rise in NCDs is predicted to impede poverty reduction initiatives in low-income countries, particularly by increasing household costs associated with health care. Vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people get sicker and die sooner than people of higher social positions, especially because they are at greater risk of being exposed to harmful products, such as tobacco, or unhealthy dietary practices, and have limited access to health services.

In low-resource settings, health-care costs for NCDs quickly drain household resources. The exorbitant costs of NCDs, including treatment, which is often lengthy and expensive, combined with loss of income, force millions of people into poverty annually and stifle development.

Prevention and control

An important way to control NCDs is to focus on reducing the risk factors associated with these diseases. Low-cost solutions exist for governments and other stakeholders to reduce the common modifiable risk factors. Monitoring progress and trends of NCDs and their risk is important for guiding policy and priorities.

To lessen the impact of NCDs on individuals and society, a comprehensive approach is needed requiring all sectors, including health, finance, transport, education, agriculture, planning and others, to collaborate to reduce the risks associated with NCDs, and to promote interventions to prevent and control them.

Investing in better management of NCDs is critical. Management of NCDs includes detecting, screening and treating these diseases, and providing access to palliative care for people in need. High impact essential NCD interventions can be delivered through a primary health care approach to strengthen early detection and timely treatment. Evidence shows such interventions are excellent economic investments because, if provided early to patients, they can reduce the need for more expensive treatment. Countries with inadequate health care coverage are unlikely to provide universal access to essential NCD interventions. NCD management interventions are essential for achieving the SDG target on NCDs.

WHO response

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes NCDs as a major challenge for sustainable development. As part of the Agenda, heads of state and government committed to develop ambitious national responses, by 2030, to reduce by one third premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment (SDG target 3.4). WHO plays a key leadership role in the coordination and promotion of the global fight against NCDs and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals target 3.4.

In 2019, the World Health Assembly extended the WHO Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013–2020 to 2030 and called for the development of an Implementation Roadmap 2023 to 2030 to accelerate progress on preventing and controlling NCDs. The Roadmap supports actions to achieve a set of nine global targets with the greatest impact towards prevention and management of NCDs. 

 

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(1) Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network, Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019) Results (2020, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation – IHME) https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/

credit/source:Noncommunicable diseases (who.int) 

The information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and 

should not be taken as expert advice.

A/N: Let Food be thy Medicine and Boost your Immune System. Ask me How. First Vita Plus is a Vegetable-in-a-Drink.