Virus and Disease Notes

7.1b

Viruses and Disease

• Viruses cause diseases!• Some diseases, like colds, are mild – people

are sick for a short time but soon recover.

• Other diseases, such as AIDS, have much more serious consequences on the body.

• Viruses can effect organisms other than humans. House pets, such as dogs and cats, can get deadly viral diseases like rabies and distemper.

The Spread of Viral Diseases

• Viral diseases can be spread in various ways. • Example: some viral diseases can be spread

through contact with a contaminated object, while others are spread through the bite of an infected animal.

• Some viruses such as the cold and flu viruses, can travel in tiny drops of moisture that an infected person sneezes or coughs into the air.

• Others can only be spread through contact with body fluid such as blood.

Treating Viral Diseases

• There are currently NO CURES FOR ANY VIRAL DISEASE!

• However, there are some medicines that you can take to relieve symptoms of a viral infection. They just make you feel better until your body can kick into virus-kicking gear.

• The best treatment is often bed-rest.• Resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating well-

balanced meals may be all you can do while you recover from a viral disease.

Preventing Viral Diseases• Of course, you’d probably rather not

get sick in the first place!• An important tool that helps prevent

the spread of many viral diseases is vaccines.

• A vaccine is a substance introduced into the body to stimulate the production of chemicals that destroy specific disease-causing viruses and organisms.

• A viral vaccine is made from weakened or altered viruses.

• Because they are weakened, the virus does not cause the disease.

• Instead, they trigger the body’s natural defenses.

• Some vaccines you might have had are polio, measles, and chickenpox.

Other Preventions

• Another important way to protect yourself against viral diseases is to keep your body healthy.

• You need to:– Eat nutritious food– Get enough sleep (but not too much)– Fluids (WATER!!! NOT SODA or Sweet

tea!)– Exercise

• You can also protect yourself by washing your hands often and by not sharing foods or drinks.

How to Wash Your Hands!

• 1. Get the paper towel ready.• 2. turn on the water.• 3. get some soap.• 4. wash your hands with the soap and water

for AT LEAST 30 seconds!– Be sure to get between fingers and under nails.

Use a brush if you have one!

How to Wash Your Hands! (cont.)

• 5. rinse your hands under the water.• 6. Dry your hands on a paper towel.• 7. Use the Paper towel to turn off the water.• 8. Use the paper towel to open the bathroom

door.• 9. Throw away the paper towel.

How to put on a band-aid!

• 1. WASH YOUR HANDS!• 2. Wash the injured area with soapy water.• 3. Unwrap the band-aid.• 4. Use the paper wings to apply the band-aid

to the wound.• 5. DO NOT TOUCH THE WHITE PART WITH

YOUR FINGERS!• 6. Throw away the paper pieces.

• Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, you will probably get viral infections, such as colds, from time to time.

• When you get ill, get plenty of rest, and follow your doctor’s recommendations.

• Also, it is very important to try to NOT INFECT OTHERS!