Animal Viruses and their Diseases

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and definitions from the lecture on animal viruses and their diseases.

Viral Infectious Diseases

Diseases caused by viruses that are prevalent and challenging to treat.

Fomites

Inanimate objects that can carry infectious material, allowing viruses to remain infectious for extended periods.

Antibiotics

Medications that treat bacterial infections but are ineffective against viruses.

Antiviral Drugs

Medications designed to target specific steps in the viral life cycle.

Vaccines

Preventive measures developed to protect against viral diseases.

Rhinovirus

The most common viral agent causing the common cold, transmitted via respiratory droplets and fomites.

Influenza

Contagious respiratory infection affecting the nose, throat, and lungs; causes seasonal outbreaks.

Neuraminidase Inhibitor

A class of antiviral drugs, e.g., Tamiflu, that inhibit the replication of influenza viruses.

Correlation of Symptoms

Fever, cough, and sore throat among others common in influenza infections.

Common Coronaviruses

Viruses like 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1 that account for significant common cold cases.

MERS-CoV

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus that originated in Saudi Arabia.

SARS-CoV

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus, caused a global outbreak in the early 2000s.

HPV

Human Papillomavirus, the most common sexually transmitted infection, linked to warts and cancers.

Gardasil-9

Vaccine protecting against nine types of HPV associated with various cancers.

Herpesviridae

Family of viruses known to remain latent post-infection, includes types like HSV-1 and 2.

Cold Sores

Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) typically causes painful blisters around the mouth.

Genital Herpes

Primary infection caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-2), affecting the genital region.

Varicella Zoster Virus

Virus causing chickenpox and later can reactivate as shingles.

Pox Parties

Intentional gatherings to expose children to chickenpox, considered unsafe.

Shingles

Reactivation of the varicella zoster virus leading to painful rashes.

Poliomyelitis

Disease caused by poliovirus, which can lead to severe neurological symptoms.

Flaccid Paralysis

Condition resulting from paralysis of muscle function, can occur in severe polio cases.

Iron Lungs

Negative pressure ventilators used historically for polio patients with respiratory paralysis.

Neurodegenerative Disorders

Diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's which may be linked to viral infections.

Chronic Inflammation

Long-term inflammatory response that may damage neural tissues and affect cognitive functions.

Ebola Virus Disease

Severe illness caused by Ebola virus, characterized by high mortality rates and severe symptoms.

rVSV ZEBOV (Ervebo) Vaccine

Vaccine providing protection against the Zaire species of Ebola virus.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Retrovirus attacking the immune system leading to AIDS if untreated.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Final stage of HIV infection marked by severely diminished immune function.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Medications taken to prevent HIV infection in high-risk individuals.

Viral Load

The amount of virus present in a person's blood, critical in managing HIV.

Antiretroviral Therapy

Medications that suppress HIV replication and help maintain a healthy immune system.

Elite Controllers

Individuals whose immune system controls HIV without treatment; very rare.

Neonatal Herpes

Transmission of herpes simplex virus from mother to child during delivery.

Postherpetic Neuralgia

Persistent pain in the area where shingles rash occurred, affecting daily life.

Fecal-Oral Route

Common method of transmission for viruses like poliovirus.

Cervical Cancer

Cancer primarily caused by HPV, particularly strains 16 and 18.

Inflammation in Neural Tissue

Ongoing immune processes linked to chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis.

Chronic Symptoms

Long-term effects of viral infections that may not resolve after initial infection.