Medical Microbiology - Viruses

Chickenpox and Shingles

Caused by varicella-zoster virus (Herpesviridae, dsDNA). Latent in dorsal root ganglion.

Influenza (Flu)

Caused by orthomyxoviruses (ssRNA). Features frequent antigenic drift and shift.

Measles (Rubeola)

Caused by Morbillivirus (Paramyxoviridae, ssRNA). Prevented by MMR vaccine.

Mumps

Caused by Rubulavirus (Paramyxoviridae, ssRNA). Causes salivary gland swelling.

SARS and MERS

Caused by Coronaviruses (ssRNA). Atypical pneumonia with high fever and respiratory distress.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Caused by Pneumovirus (ssRNA). Dangerous in small children, produces syncytia.

Rubella (German measles)

Caused by Rubella virus (Togoviridae, ssRNA). Dangerous for pregnant women in first trimester.

Yellow Fever

Caused by a Flavivirus (ssRNA). Arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes; causes liver damage and jaundice.

Dengue Fever

Caused by a Flavivirus (ssRNA). Arbovirus known as break-bone fever, transmitted by mosquitoes.

Ebola and Marburg

Caused by Filoviruses (ssRNA). Filamentous viruses causing severe hemorrhagic fevers.

Arboviral Encephalitis

Caused mostly by Togoviridae (ssRNA). Vector-borne acute inflammation of the brain.

HIV / AIDS

Caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Retrovirus, ssRNA). Targets CD4 T-cells.

Common Cold (Coryza)

Caused by rhinoviruses (ssRNA), adenoviruses (dsDNA), and coronaviruses (ssRNA).

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection

Caused by Herpesviridae (dsDNA). Can cross placenta and damage fetal nervous system.

Oral Herpes

Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1, dsDNA). Manifests as cold sores with lifetime latency.

Genital Herpes

Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2, dsDNA). Transmitted sexually with active and latent phases.

Roseola

Caused by Human herpesvirus 6 or 7 (dsDNA). Features high fever followed by a macular rash in infants.

Fifth Disease

Caused by Human parvovirus B19 (ssDNA). Causes erythema infectiosum in children.

Infectious Mononucleosis

Caused by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV, dsDNA). Replicates in lymphatic tissue and B cells.

Rabies

Caused by Rhabdoviridae (negative-strand RNA). Neurotropic virus transmitted by animal bites.

Hepatitis B

Caused by Hepatitis B Virus (HBV, circular dsDNA). Transmitted via blood and body secretions.

Hepatitis C

Caused by Hepatitis C Virus (HCV, Flaviviridae, ssRNA). Spread via contaminated blood.

Hepatitis D

Caused by Hepatitis D Virus (HDV). Requires coinfection with Hepatitis B to cause disease.

Warts

Caused by Papillomaviruses (dsDNA). Some strains play a major role in epithelial cancers.

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs)

Caused by Prions (protein). Neurodegenerative diseases with rapid progression and spongiform brain tissue.