Viruses are microscopic entities that can cause diseases in humans, animals, plants and bacteria. There are different types of viruses, each with characteristics and ways of infecting particular living beings. In this article, we will explore the 5 most common types of viruses and how they work in the body.
DNA viruses
DNA viruses DNA are those that have DNA genetic material in their structure. These viruses use their DNA to replicate once they infect a host cell. Some examples of DNA viruses are herpes virus, human papillomavirus (HPV), and chickenpox virus.
When a DNA virus infects a cell, its DNA integrates into the genome. of the host cell. Once there, the virus uses cellular machinery to replicate its DNA and produce new viral copies. These copies can infect neighboring cells and spread the infection.
Impact on the body
DNA viruses can cause a variety of diseases in humans, ranging from mild infections to serious diseases such as cancer. For example, HPV can cause genital warts and cervical cancer, while the herpes virus can cause cold sores and genital herpes.
RNA Viruses
RNA viruses They are those that contain RNA genetic material instead of DNA. This type of virus includes pathogens such as the flu virus, the HIV virus, and the Zika virus. RNA viruses use an enzyme called RNA polymerase to replicate their RNA and produce viral proteins.
Once inside a host cell, RNA viruses release their RNA into the cytoplasm, where it is translated into proteins. viral. These proteins can assemble to form new viral particles, which are then released to infect other cells.
Impact on the body
RNA viruses can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to deadly infections such as AIDS. These viruses are known for their ability to mutate rapidly, allowing them to evade the host's immune response and develop resistance to antiviral drugs.
Positive sense RNA viruses
The Positive-sense RNA viruses are a subclass of RNA viruses whose genome can function as mRNA once they infect a cell. These viruses include pathogens such as hepatitis A virus, dengue virus, and Zika virus.
When a positive-sense RNA virus infects a cell, its RNA is directly translated into viral proteins. This allows rapid production of new viral particles and effective spread of the infection in the body.
Impact on the body
Positive sense RNA viruses can cause acute diseases such as viral hepatitis and dengue. These infections are usually self-limiting, meaning the immune system can clear the virus over time. However, in some cases, infections can become chronic and cause permanent damage to affected organs.
Negative-sense RNA viruses
Negative-sense RNA viruses are those whose RNA genome must be transcribed into mRNA before it can be translated into viral proteins. These viruses include pathogens such as the influenza virus, Ebola virus, and rabies virus.
To replicate within a host cell, negative-sense RNA viruses use an enzyme called RNA polymerase. to transcribe your RNA into mRNA. Once the mRNA is produced, it is translated into viral proteins that are necessary to assemble new viral particles.
Impact on the body
Negative sense RNA viruses can cause serious diseases and potentially fatal in humans. For example, the flu virus is responsible for seasonal epidemics that affect millions of people around the world. These viruses are known for their ability to cause rapid outbreaks and spread from person to person easily.
Retrotranscribed RNA Viruses
Retrotranscribed RNA viruses are those that use an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to synthesize DNA from its viral RNA. Once the viral DNA is produced, it integrates into the host cell's genome and replicates along with the cellular DNA. These viruses include pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and feline leukemia virus.
Once the viral DNA has integrated into the genome of the host cell, it can remain latent for prolonged periods before reactivating and producing new viral particles. This ability to persist makes retrotranscribed RNA viruses difficult to completely eliminate from the body.
Impact on the body
Retrotranscribed RNA viruses are responsible for chronic and progressive diseases, such as AIDS in humans and feline leukemia in cats. These infections can weaken the host's immune system and predispose it to other opportunistic diseases.
In conclusion, viruses are infectious agents that can cause a wide variety of diseases in living beings. Understanding the different types of viruses and how they work in the body is essential to developing effective strategies for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral infections.