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Questions and Answers
What are viruses fundamentally composed of?
All viral diseases are spread through respiratory droplets.
False
What family of viruses is responsible for influenza?
Orthomyxoviridae
Viruses cannot reproduce on their own; they rely on the host's cells to _____ .
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Match the following viral diseases with their methods of transmission:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic used to classify viruses?
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Antibiotics are effective in treating viral infections.
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Name one method used to prevent the spread of viral diseases.
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The _____ pandemic caused millions of deaths during 1918-1919.
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Which of the following is an example of a virus that is primarily spread through sexual contact?
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Study Notes
Viral Diseases
- Viral diseases result from microscopic organisms called viruses, which are essentially genetic material encased in a protective shell.
- Viruses infect numerous hosts, including humans, plants, and animals, exhibiting host specificity.
- Viruses are incapable of self-replication and rely on host cells for propagation.
- Viral replication often damages or destroys host cells, leading to a diverse range of symptoms, from mild to severe.
- Viruses are classified into families and genera based on traits like size, shape, and genetic material.
- The Orthomyxoviridae family encompasses influenza A and B, responsible for the flu, while Herpesviridae comprises strains like oral and genital herpes, chickenpox, and shingles.
- Viral diseases are transmitted through various modes, including respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, infected insects, and sexual contact.
- Respiratory viral diseases are highly contagious, spread through coughing and sneezing, releasing droplets containing the virus.
Viral Disease Transmission
- Some viral diseases are not transmitted person-to-person but through other means, such as insect bites.
- For example, the Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Treatment and Prevention
- Viral infections differ from bacterial infections, despite often exhibiting similar symptoms.
- Antibiotics, effective against bacteria, are ineffective against viruses.
- Antiviral medications treat some viral infections, while others are managed by supporting the immune system's fight against the virus.
- Preventing the spread of viral diseases is crucial, achieved through measures like vaccination, good hygiene practices, and limiting contact with infected individuals.
Significance of Viral Diseases
- Viral diseases have had a profound impact on human history by causing pandemics that have resulted in millions of deaths.
- The 1918-1919 Spanish flu pandemic, the ongoing HIV/AIDS pandemic, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic illustrate the devastating consequences of viral diseases.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamentals of viral diseases, including their classification, transmission methods, and impact on host organisms. Understand how viruses propagate and the implications for human and animal health. Test your knowledge on various families of viruses and their associated diseases.
