Bacterial Vaginosis – A Common Cause of Human Disease

Viruses are small, usually much less than the size of bacteria. They lack the capability to reproduce and thrive outside of an infected host body. Unfortunately, the general reputation of viruses as the main cause of disease has certainly fueled such a view.

Widespread outbreaks of disease and mortality have no doubt fueled such a reputation. It would seem logical that the more contagious the virus, the higher the chances of widespread infection. In theory, the more deadly the virus, the greater the chances of widespread death. It is true that some viruses are exceptionally dangerous. For instance, the SARS virus, which is responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, is extremely deadly, causing many thousands of cases of pneumonia and encephalitis. But most viruses are not so deadly and certainly do not warrant the fear and respect that accompany them.

What is more important than the actual virus itself is the physical aspect of it. Viruses are enveloped within a fluid-filled membrane. The envelope protects, houses, and aids the virus in its journey into and through the host cell. Envelopes are made up of two basic layers: the viral envelope and the supporting membrane. Below this lies the cytoskeleton which supplies the body’s protective layer.

Viruses are enclosed in a fluid-filled envelopes that are protein-based (made up of amino acids). The lipid membrane surrounding the virus provides a rough outer surface upon which viral RNA and DNA can be housed. DNA is the genetic material upon which the viral code is written. This genetic material is replicated within the host cell in pairs. When the replicating pairs make their way into the cell’s nucleus, they seek out specific coding bases to base their duplication.

nucleic acid is the genetic material upon which the genetic codes for life forms are written. The nucleic acid can be dictated into various shapes and forms by the genetic instructions that accompany it. When a virus inserts into a host cell it uses the genetic RNA or DNA as a guide. It then directs the nucleic acid to produce the requisite proteins. When the correct proteins are produced, the virus is ready to launch its mission.

Most viruses spread from one living host to another through the process of viral envenomation. However, some viruses insert themselves into the cellular machinery of an organ such as the kidney, liver, or intestines. Once in place, the viruses cause detrimental effects to the host organism. Viruses are of course only one of the myriad ways that bacteria and other pathogenic organisms cause disease in humans and animals. Properly educated medical practitioners who recognize the relationship between viruses and the body can lead to effective treatment of a patient with a pathogen.