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The 2023’s most hazardous pathogens and their effects on global health. HIV/AIDS, Influenza, Coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2), Hepatitis (A, E, B, C), Rabies, Hantaviruses, Dengue, Marburg, Nipah, and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus are
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Understanding Viruses: Key Factors in Public Health
Viruses, microscopic organisms that need a host, have previously caused widespread sickness. Rare but deadly ones like Marburg are dangerous, but others are widespread like influenza. Despite medical breakthroughs, viruses remain a major public health danger, requiring a detailed grasp of prevention and treatment.
Viral pathogenicity depends on viral structure, transmission method, and host immunological response. Viral load, cell tropism, and immune system evasion affect pathogenicity. Rapid virus replication can overwhelm the host’s immune system. Avoiding epidemics requires preventing airborne, vector-borne, and direct contact viral transmission. Vector-borne transmission involves mosquitoes, while airborne transmission involves respiratory droplets like influenza. Direct contact transmission involves touching.
Genetic makeup, transmission routes, host parameters (age, immunological strength, general health), and environmental influences (climate, population density, hygiene habits) affect virulence. Adhesion mechanisms and antigenic variation contribute to pathogenicity.
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Specific harmful viruses’ characteristics, history, symptoms, prevention, and treatment are then described:
1. Ebola Virus: Causes hemorrhagic illness and high mortality. Avoiding body fluids, donning protective gear, and quarantining are prevention methods.
2. HIV/AIDS: A global immune system disorder, although antiretroviral therapy has made it manageable. Stigma, medication adherence, and healthcare access are issues.
3. Influenza Virus: Seasonal and pandemic variants are dangerous. Pandemic strains like H1N1 generate global outbreaks, whereas seasonal flu can cause serious problems.
4. SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 have produced global health disasters. SARS-CoV-2 is spreading quickly, thus vaccine initiatives are crucial.
5. A and E hepatitis viruses are spread by contaminated food or water; B and C cause chronic illnesses. A vaccination for Hepatitis B and medicinal treatments for Hepatitis C have enhanced healing.
6. Rabies Virus: Spread by animal saliva, rabies is nearly invariably lethal. Domestic animal immunization and human post-exposure prophylaxis are preventative approaches.
7. Rodent-borne hantaviruses can induce hemorrhagic fever and pulmonary illness. Prevention entails hygiene in rodent-infested environments.
8. Dengue Virus: Spread by Aedes mosquitoes, it causes mild fever to severe hemorrhagic fever. Prevention emphasizes vector control and care.
9. Marburg Virus: Highly contagious, deadly viral hemorrhagic disease. No vaccination or antiviral is approved.
10. Fruit-borne Nipah Virus: Causes a variety of human ailments. There is no vaccine and only supportive care.
11. Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) Virus: Spreads by ticks or animal blood and causes widespread hemorrhage. Supportive treatment tick management and avoidance are recommended.
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