Virus and Corona Virus

Feature Desk

• Virus was discovered by Russian botanist Dmitri Iosifovich.
• Tobacco Mosaic Virus was the first virus discovered.
• It can survive only inside another living organism, animal or plant.
• It is a connecting link between living and non-living things.

Living properties of Viruses

• The presence of DNA or RNA (but never both)
• Genetic and parasitic properties
• Capable of spreading the disease Non-living properties
• The absence of cell and lack of protoplasm
• No any reproduction and growth outside the living cell
• The lack of metabolic activities like nutrition, digestion

Structure of Virus

• Virus has genetic material, either (DNA) Or (RNA).
• Capsid- protein shell of virus and which protect the nucleic acid and aid in its transmission between host cells.
• Some viruses have a third structure that surrounds the capsid called the envelope and is composed of a bilipid layer and glycoproteins.
• Envelope protects the virus from immune system when host secretes anti- virus substances called interferon

How do Viruses work?

What Are Coronavirus?

• Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERSCoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
• They are a group of viruses that cause respiratory diseases in mammals and birds.
• The name “coronavirus” is derived from the Latin corona which means crown.

• Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.
• On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease i.e. coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19.
• First identified in Wuhan China.
• COVID-19 is a new disease, caused be a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.
• Virus for COVID-19 is SARS COV-2

How is Coronavirus Diagnosed?

• Blood tests
• Throat and nose swabs

Who’s At Risk?

• Older adults and people with chronic conditions like heart and lung disease
• people who have recently had surgeries for organ or bone marrow transplants, & patients undergoing chemotherapy.
• People with weaker or compromised immune systems