The medical importance of viruses are that they are used as a medium for studying and analyzing as a source

of various sickness and illness. Antiviral agents were developed and served as a weapon in antimicrobial mythology. Drugs were developed and found to be effective in certain viral infections like Rimantadine for respiratory viruses. There are many economic importance of viruses. Viruses are important in medical research for finding cures for common diseases. Also, viruses are source of vaccines that prevent common infections. They are also used in virotherapy to cure cancer. Vaccination is a way of preventing diseases caused by viruses. Vaccines simulate a natural infection and its associated immune response, but do not cause the disease. Their use has resulted in a dramatic decline in illness and death caused by infections such as polio, measles, mumps and rubella. !"# Vaccines are available to prevent over thirteen viral infections of humans !$# and more are used to prevent viral infections of animals. !%# Vaccines may consist of either live or killed viruses . &'# Live vaccines contain weakened forms of the virus, but these vaccines can be dangerous when given to people with weak immunity. (n these people, the weakened virus can cause the original disease. &)# *iotechnology and genetic engineering techni+ues are used to produce ,designer, vaccines that only have the capsid proteins of the virus. -epatitis * vaccine is an e.ample of this type of vaccine. &/# These vaccines are safer because they can never cause the disease. &0# Viruses can make you and the people around you very sick. They cause lots of different diseases, from cold sores and warts to measles, colds and flu! They can be very contagious - they spread very quickly from one person to another. They can even spread in the air, in droplets that form when people cough or sneeze or from surfaces like door handles and telephones! There are very few medicines for viruses, antibiotics don t work on viruses so there is no point taking them! Vaccines are made using the disease-causing virus or bacteria, but in a form that will not harm your child. !nstead, the weakened, killed, or partial virus or bacteria prompts your baby s immune system to develop antibodies, or defenders, against the disease. "utside the body, viruses can be killed by detergents, bleach, organic solvents such as ether or chloroform, and ultraviolet #$V% light.

!nside the body, the immune system makes antibodies against specific viruses. &ntibodies are made when the immune system first encounters a virus. The body builds an antibody specially designed to prevent that particular virus from attaching to new cells. "nce an antibody is made for a specific virus, the immune system usually continues to make it, but in much smaller quantities, even if there is no current viral attack. !f the immune system encounters that virus again, its response will be faster because it does not have to build a new antibody. !t simply makes more of the ones it already has. This is called immunity.

'ou can develop immunity to fight a future viral infection in two ways. 'ou can catch the virus or get a vaccination. Vaccines are made from a killed or inactivated form of the virus or from harmless parts of a viral cover grown in a laboratory. "nce a virus is inside a host cell, it is difficult to kill or damage it without killing or damaging the cell. (ecause of this, scientists have developed drugs that interfere with a virus)s functions rather than killing it outright. &ntiviral drugs have been developed that prevent the virus from attaching to a host cell, entering the cell, reproducing within a cell, or releasing newly formed viruses. The drugs amantadine and rimantadine, for e*ample, work by preventing the virus from entering the cell+ the drug acyclovir blocks viral reproduction within the cell. Two newer drugs for the treatment of influenza, zanamivir and oseltamivir, block the release of newly formed viruses from the host cells, preventing their spread to other host cells. ,rotease inhibitors, used in treatment of -!V, work by blocking an enzyme the -!V virus uses to make copies of itself.

At the moment the virus isn1t even making the pigs sick, so it is most likely -)2) pigs are moving into the food chain. (f you cook the pork you will kill 3more accurately, inactivate4 the virus. *ut the pork on the dinner plate isn1t the only consumer or health concern. (nfected and uncooked pork and even infected live pigs routinely come in contact with people in the process of husbandry, slaughter, butchering, packaging and food preparation. 5hile it is most likely true you can1t get swine flu from eating pork, there are many other possible modes of transmitting infection from infected swine.

( understand why the pork producers are nervous. 6ne report suggests a farmer or big agribusiness company has lost 7)! to 70' on every pig sold since the outbreak started, and if herds become widely infected that could get worse. (f the virus becomes more virulent in pigs, even if it is 8ust in pigs, producers could lose the whole cost of the animal, since animals that are obviously sick are not supposed to be slaughtered 3although we know they sometimes are4. ( agree with the pork producers and the 9ecretary of Agriculture and almost everyone else who knows about this that the discovery of more pig herds infected with this virus is :no surprise.; ( don1t agree that makes it no big deal from the public health point of view. 5hether it is or isn1t we1ll have to see. <et while the pork industry is officially on record favoring increased testing and surveillance of the swine population, it is not really to their advantage. They1d rather not know. 5idespread and endemic infection of the pig herds everywhere with this virus would also be :no surprise.; =iven the biology and the circumstances, the big surprise would be if it didn1t happen. Influenza transmission[edit]

Sneezing can transmit influenza !eople who contract influenza are most infective between the second and third days after infection, and infectivity lasts for around ten days ["] #hildren are much more infectious than adults and shed virus from $ust before they develop symptoms until two weeks after infection ["][%] &he transmission of influenza can be modeled mathematically, which helps predict how the virus will spread in a population ['] Influenza can be spread in three main ways([)][*] by direct transmission +when an infected person sneezes mucus directly into the eyes, nose or mouth of another person,the airborne route +when someone inhales the aerosols produced by an infected person coughing, sneezing or spitting,through hand.to.eye, hand.to.nose, or hand.to.mouth transmission,[/] either from contaminated surfaces or from direct personal contact such as a hand. shake &he relative importance of these three modes of transmission is unclear, and they may all contribute to the spread of the virus [0][1] In the airborne route, the droplets that are small enough for people to inhale are 2 * to * 3m in diameter and inhaling $ust one droplet might be enough to cause an infection [)] 4lthough a single sneeze releases up to )2,222 droplets,[5] most of these droplets are 6uite large and will 6uickly settle out of the air [)] 7ow long influenza survives in airborne droplets seems to be influenced by the levels of humidity and 8V radiation( with low humidity and a lack of sunlight in winter probably aiding its survival [)] 4s the influenza virus can persist outside of the body, it can also be transmitted by contaminated surfaces such as banknotes,["2] doorknobs, light switches and other household items [""] &he length of time the virus will persist on a surface varies, with the virus surviving for one to two days on hard, non.porous surfaces such as plastic or metal, for about fifteen minutes from dry paper tissues, and only five minutes on skin ["%] 7owever, if the virus is present in mucus, this can protect it for longer periods [)] 4vian influenza viruses can survive indefinitely when frozen ["'] &hey are inactivated by heating to */ 9# +"'' 9:, for a minimum of /2 minutes, as well as by acids +at p7 ;%, ["'] <ovel 7"<"[edit]

4ccording to the =orld 7ealth >rganization +=7>,, the ?main route of transmission of the pandemic influenza virus seems to be similar to seasonal influenza, via droplets that are e@pelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing ?[")] >ne of =7>As recommendations is to ?keep your distance from people who show symptoms of influenza.like illness, such as coughing and sneezing +trying to maintain a distance of about " metre if possible, ?[")] >ther =7> recommendations are listed below &he 4merican #enter for Bisease #ontrol and !revention +#B#, agrees that the ?spread of novel 7"<" virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads :lu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza ?[/] &he #B# also says that a person may become infected if he or she touches something with flu viruses on it ?and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth ?[/] Infection control[edit]

Ceasonably effective ways to reduce the transmission of influenza include good personal health and hygiene habits such as( not touching your eyes, nose or mouth-[/] fre6uent hand washing +with soap and water, or with alcohol.based hand rubs,-[/] covering coughs and sneezes- avoiding close contact with sick people- and staying home yourself if you are sick 4voiding spitting is also recommended ["*] 4lthough face masks might help prevent transmission when caring for the sick, ["/]["0] there is mi@ed evidence on beneficial effects in the community ["*] ["1] Smoking raises the risk of contracting influenza, as well as producing more severe disease symptoms ["5][%2][%"][%%][%'] &hus, according to the laws of mathematical modelling of infectious diseases, smokers raise the e@ponential growth rates of influenza epidemics and may indirectly be responsible for a large percentage of influenza cases Since influenza spreads through both aerosols and contact with contaminated surfaces, surface sanitizing may help prevent some infections [%)] 4lcohol is an effective sanitizer against influenza viruses, while 6uaternary ammonium compounds can be used with alcohol so that the sanitizing effect lasts for longer [%*] In hospitals, 6uaternary ammonium compounds and bleach are used to sanitize rooms or e6uipment that have been occupied by patients with influenza symptoms [%*] 4t home, this can be done effectively with a diluted chlorine bleach [%/] Buring past pandemics, closing schools, churches and theaters slowed the spread of the virus but did not have a large effect on the overall death rate [%0][%1] It is uncertain if reducing public gatherings, by for e@ample closing schools and workplaces, will reduce transmission since people with influenza may $ust be moved from one area to another- such measures would also be

difficult to enforce and might be unpopular ["*] =hen small numbers of people are infected, isolating the sick might reduce the risk of transmission ["*] =7> recommendations[edit] 4ccording to the =7>, you can decrease your chance of contracting the flu virus by taking the following steps([")] Det yourself +or family members age / months and older, vaccinated against current strains of influenza, if possible Eeep your distance from people who show symptoms of influenza.like illness, such as coughing and sneezing +trying to maintain a distance of about " metre if possible,#lean your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol.based hand rub on a regular basis +especially if touching surfaces that are potentially contaminated,4void touching your mouth, nose and eyes as much as possibleCeduce the time spent in crowded settings if possibleImprove airflow in your living space by opening windows!ractice good health habits +including ade6uate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active,- and !reventing complications in children[edit]

=atch for emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention &hese warning signs include( :ast breathing or trouble breathing Fluish or gray skin color <ot drinking enough fluids <ot urinating or no tears when crying Severe or persistent vomiting <ot waking up or not interacting Feing so irritable that the child does not want to be held !ain or pressure in the chest or abdomen Sudden dizziness

#onfusion :lu.like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough[%5] Vaccination against 7"<"[edit] In the %225 pandemic, the initial demand for vaccine greatly outstripped the supply ['2]

%,*22 people line up in a mall in &e@as #ity, &e@as to receive the 7"<" vaccine from the Dalveston #ounty 7ealth Bepartment 4s the %225 pandemic got underway, the first vaccine to become available in the 8nited States by mid.>ctober %225 was about % % million doses of the weakened live.virus nasal spray formulation &his form was not then recommended for some of the people who at highest risk of complications from flu, including pregnant women and people with asthma[citation needed] &he attenuated live virus was instead suggested to be used to allow some priority groups like health care workers and healthy children % or older, to allow them to be vaccinated immediately &hose to whom the weakened virus might pose a heightened risk were recommended to wait for the release of killed.virus vaccines, which followed weeks to months later #B# recommendations[edit] &he #B# lists these as important ways to lower the risk of transmission([/] #over the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing &hrow tissues in the trash after use=ash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing 4lcohol.based hand cleaners are also effective4void touching the eyes, nose, or mouth Derms spread this way&ry to avoid close contact with sick people&hose sick with flu.like illness are recommended to stay home for at least %) hours after their fever is gone, e@cept to get medical care or for other necessities +&he fever should be gone without the use of a fever.reducing medicine , &he sickened are advised to keep away from others as much as possible to avoid making others sick !ublic opinion[edit] The -)2) virus, also known as >swine flu> is a type of influenza virus that was first detected in people in the ?nited 9tates in April /''%. 9ince it was discovered in the

?nited 9tates, the virus has spread to several regions of the country and has also appeared in several regions overseas. *y @une /''%, the 5orld -ealth 6rganization informed the public that the /''% -)2) flu had reached the level of a pandemic. *ut how does the -)2) spreadA -ere>s a close look at some -)2) facts and how the virus spreads in humans. -ow the -)2) 9preads Blu.gov, a website managed by the ?.9. Department of -ealth and -uman 9ervices, states that the -)2) virus can occur in one of two ways. -)2) flu can occur through contact with infected pigs or when someone comes in contact with an area that is contaminated with the swine flu virus. Another way that -)2) spreads is through contact with a person who has contracted the virus.

The ?.9. Department of -ealth and -uman 9ervices reports that humanCtoChuman contact has been documented throughout the ?nited 9tates and occurs in the same way as the seasonal influenza virus. This is why it is important for all individuals to wash their hands regularly, be mindful of where they are coughing and sneezing, and to stay away from other people if they are showing symptoms of the flu. 39ourceD EandemicBlu.gov4

-)2) Bacts There are several misconceptions about the -)2) virus, and since it is contagious, the Fenter for Disease Fontrol in the ?nited 9tates has been actively working with medical centers around the country to isolate any outbreaks. 9ome of the most important -)2) facts to keep in mind areD

). The -)2) virus cannot be contracted by eating pork. 9ome people believe they can get the -)2) virus simply by eating pork products, but the Fenters for Disease Fontrol and Erevention reports that this is not possible. -owever it is still important to cook the pork to an internal temperature of at least )&' GB to kill off any bacteria and all types of viruses.

/. Anyone who has contracted swine flu must see a doctor and have a respiratory specimen taken for FDF testing.

0. There is no treatment or vaccine available for humans with the -)2) virus at this time.

H. Fhildren, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems may be contagious

for longer than " days if they contract swine flu, say the e.perts at the ?.9. Department of -ealth and -uman 9ervices.

!. 9ymptoms of the -)2) virus are similar to those of regular seasonal influenza, which includes a fever, lack of appetite, sore throat and fatigue, reports the 5ashington 9tate Department of -ealth.

I2J<KI9C2atural proteins produced in tiny +uantities by all living organisms 3bacteria, plants, and animals4 and functioning as highly selective biochemical catalysts in converting one molecule into another. Inzymes are essential to life because they speed up metabolic reactions to a very great e.tent, but do not undergo any change in themselves. (n the industry they are used for degrading oil spills and wastes into harmless compounds, in cleaning fat 3food4 stains, and in fermentation processes to make alcoholic beverages. Inzymes are very sensitive to environmental conditions and function best only within a narrow range of temperature and acidity 3p-4 levels. n April /''%, a new strain of -)2) swine flu emerged that contained a combination of swine, avian, and human influenza viruses. (n the past, swine flu had mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. The new virus is unusual because it has spread among people who haven>t been near pigs.

-)2) swine flu, which was first observed in Ke.ico, has crossed borders and oceans, spreading to different countries and continents.

Recommended Related to Fold L Blu The Truth About >Kan Folds> 5hen =ina =allo, a school librarian in Macombe, Ma., gets sick, she can take care of herself. 9he gets her own medicine, makes her own food, and ,deals with it,, as she puts it. *ut when her fiancN gets a cold, she says he has ,a complete system breakdown., ,The world stops and the whining is incessant,, she says. ,( am e.pected to bring him food, take care of him, and generally treat him like the baby that he is., =allo>s fiancN declined to talk with 5ebKD for this story. Their KarsCVenus situation... Fauses of 9wine Blu

9wine flu is contagious, and health officials believe it spreads in the same way as the seasonal flu. 5hen people who are infected with swine flu cough or sneeze, they release tiny droplets containing the virus into the air. Anyone who comes in contact with these

droplets or touches a surface 3such as a doorknob or sink4 that an infected person has recently touched can catch -)2) swine flu.

A person who has swine flu can be contagious from one day before they show symptoms to seven days after they get sick. Fhildren can be contagious for as long as )' days.

Despite the name of the virus, you can>t catch swine flu from eating bacon, ham, or any other pork product. -owever, to avoid other illnesses, it is always important to cook pork until it reaches an internal temperature of )&' degrees.