Viruses are tiny germs. All viruses contain a small amount of genetic information (DNA or RNA) within protective capsules. Viruses often cause colds, flu, and warts, for example. Additionally, they can transmit life-threatening diseases like HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19.

Whether they replicate using DNA or RNA, viruses are classified as DNA or RNA viruses. The DNA virus family includes herpesviruses. RNA viruses are retroviruses like HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and coronaviruses like SARS-CoV2 responsible for COVID-19.

In retroviruses, RNA is prone to mutating, meaning that as the virus spreads, its genetic instructions can change, thereby changing how the virus functions. It is common for viruses to infect only one type of cell. A common cold virus, for instance, only infects upper respiratory tract cells.

The treatment for most viral infections is limited to symptom relief while your immune system fights the infection. Antibiotics do not work on viral infections. Antiviral drugs can treat some viral infections. In many cases, vaccines are effective in preventing viral diseases.

What is a Viral Infection?

You contract a viral infection when you are infected with a virus (a type of micro-organisms) that uses your cells to replicate. Viruses commonly cause respiratory and digestive infections but can affect almost any body part.

Viruses are contagious; when they enter the body and multiply, they spread from person to person. A person’s age, overall health, and type of infection determine the severity and character of symptoms associated with these diseases.

Infections caused by viruses generally last for a few days and then subside once your immune system begins attacking the virus. Complications from viral diseases can be severe and potentially life-threatening in some cases.

Patients with a chronic disease or a suppressed or compromised immune system and those very young and old are at higher risk of complications. When you suspect you have a viral illness, especially if you are at risk for complications, schedule a prompt online consultation with Zarcare.

What are the different types of viral infections?

The viruses are classified according to where they infect, how they spread, or what symptoms they cause. There are many types of illnesses caused by viruses, such as herpes viruses and adenoviruses. Viral infections can take the form of:

Respiratory Infections

Infections of the respiratory system affect the nose, throat, airways, and lungs. Respiratory viruses can cause respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, sinusitis, ear infections, and pneumonia. Infants and older adults, as well as people with lung or heart conditions, are more likely to suffer from severe respiratory illnesses. A few examples are:

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • Parainfluenza
  • Human metapneumovirus (hMPV)
  • Common cold (usually caused by rhinovirus) 
  • COVID-19
  • Flu (influenza)

Gastrointestinal Infections

Viruses can affect any part of your digestive system, including your stomach, intestines, and liver. Examples include:

  • Often called the “stomach flu,” gastroenteritis can result from norovirus, rotavirus, or astrovirus.
  • The hepatitis virus causes liver disease. It is common for these infections to last a long time (chronic).

Neurological Infections:

Some viruses infect the brain, causing encephalitis, while others infect the tissue layers covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges). These can cause paralysis, swelling of your brain or its covering, and other life-threatening conditions. Examples include:

  • West Nile virus
  • Polio
  • Rabies
  • Meningitis

Viral Hemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of life-threatening bleeding with hemorrhagic fevers. They can weaken your blood vessels and affect how your blood clots. Some examples are:

  • Ebola
  • Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
  • Severe dengue
  • Yellow fever

Exanthematous Viral Infections or Viral Skin Infections

Viral exanthematous infections can cause skin rashes like bumps, blisters, or blood spots under the skin. Moreover, they can result in respiratory symptoms. Among the exanthematous conditions are:

  • Chickenpox
  • Measles
  • Rubella (German measles)
  • Roseola
  • Fifth disease
  • Mpox
  • Warts

Viral Congenital  infections

Viral infections you are born with or inherited lie in the category of congenital infections. The fetus gets them while it is developing or during birth. The condition can lead to various health problems, including vision or hearing impairment, developmental delays, and neurological disorders. Infections resulting from congenital viruses include:

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  • Rubella
  • Zika virus

Sexually Transmitted Viral Infections

It is mainly through oral, anal, and vaginal contact that sexually transmitted viral diseases spread. Among them are:

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)/Genital Warts
  • Genital Herpes (HSV)
  • Hepatitis B

What are the symptoms of a viral infection?

It is important to remember that viral diseases have varying symptoms depending on the type of virus that caused the infection, the location of the infection in the body, the patient’s age, and their medical history. Almost any organ or system in the body can exhibit viral symptoms. Viruses can cause several common symptoms, including:

  • A flu-like illness (fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, cough, aches, and pains)
  • Gastrointestinal complaints, such as diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting
  • Anxiety
  • Feeling ill 
  • Itching or Rash
  • Sneezing
  • Nasal congestion, stuffy or runny nose, or postnasal drip
  • Inflammation of lymph nodes
  • Swollen tonsils
  • An unexplained weight loss

Symptoms of a viral disease in infants include:

  • Soft spot bulging on top of the head
  • Feeding difficulties
  • Constant crying or whining
  • Oversleeping

Indications of severe viral infection:

A viral infection can sometimes result in serious illness, including pneumonia and dehydration. The following symptoms should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention:

  • A change in awareness or alertness
  • Pain in the chest
  • Wet, deep cough with yellowish, greenish, or brownish phlegm
  • Fever (above 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • A feeling of lethargy or unresponsiveness
  • Seizure
  • Breathing difficulties, wheezing, or shortness of breath
  • Stiff neck
  • Yellowish discolouration of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice)

What are the causes of viral infection?

The virus enters the body and infiltrates the cells to reproduce, causing a viral infection. You can get them through your nose, mouth, eyes, anus, genital area, or a break in your skin.

Upon reaching your cells, they use them to make more copies of themselves. The infection spreads rapidly if the body’s immune system cannot fight the virus. This leads to further infection.

What are the different ways you can get a viral infection?

You can catch a viral infection:

  • Through coughing, sneezing, or close contact with infected people.
  • By touching surfaces or objects (countertops, doorknobs, or phones), an infected person has touched.
  • Through anal, oral, or vaginal.
  • From an infected animal, mosquito, or tick bite.
  • By eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.
  • Using an infected needle when tattooing or using drugs.
  • During pregnancy or delivery, from an infected mother to her baby.

What are the treatments available to treat viral infections?

Viral infections are treated differently based on the virus type, severity, and other factors. Treatment measures aim to relieve your symptoms so you can recover without complications while getting the rest you need.

General treatments for viral infections include:

Antiviral medications

An antiviral medication inhibits viruses from reproducing (replicating). The purpose of these medications is to treat chronic infections or shorten the duration of certain respiratory infections. The medications are only effective against one type of virus – they do not work against other viruses. It is possible to treat flu, COVID-19, hepatitis B, C, HIV, and measles with antivirals.

Convalescent plasma

A blood transfusion may be necessary for some instances of life-threatening viral infections. People who have recovered from the same virus infection donate their blood for convalescent plasma treatment. Your healthcare provider injects plasma into you through an IV.

Antibodies in plasma help you fight infection. Using convalescent plasma, doctors can treat cases of COVID-19 and Ebola.

Antiretroviral medications

HIV/AIDS patients can live longer with antiretroviral medications. By hindering HIV’s ability to reproduce, antiretroviral medications slow the spread of HIV.

Vaccines

The vaccination process stimulates the body’s defence mechanisms (active immunisation). Vaccines prevent infection by protecting against viruses.

Vaccines against viral diseases generally include:

  • COVID-19
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Influenza
  • Japanese encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
  • Measles, mumps, and rubella
  • Polio
  • Rabies
  • Rotavirus
  • Varicella
  • Shingles (herpes zoster)
  • Yellow fever
  • Ebola

Viral Fever Treatment

It is essential to reduce the symptoms of viral fever as a first step in treating it. Viral fever is usually self-limiting due to the immune system’s capability to fight the virus and recover.

People with viral fever must be treated if their condition doesn’t improve within  3-4 days. For fever and aches, doctors may prescribe acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Besides that, you should drink a lot of fluids, including; fresh juice, broth, soup, decaffeinated tea, and coconut water, for viral fever treatment at home. Additionally, babies and toddlers can benefit from specialised electrolyte drinks.

Also, make sure you rest from time to time. It’s important not to stress your body further when you have a viral fever since it means your body is hard at work fighting infections.

It is crucial to rest appropriately and stay away from physically demanding activities.

Ways to Prevent Viral Infections:

Vaccination lowers your risk of contracting a viral illness. You can ask your healthcare provider about the vaccinations you should receive. You can also protect yourself and others from viruses by:

  • Regularly washing your hands, particularly during flu and cold season.
  • Maintaining a safe food routine, such as correctly storing and cooking food, meat, and poultry, and thoroughly washing and peeling fruits and vegetables before eating.
  • Using contraceptives during any sexual act.
  • Using bug spray, wearing protective clothes, and sleeping under netting to protect yourself from bug bites.
  • Avoiding any close contact with people if down with a viral infection.

We care about your health!!

It is common to contract viral infections, and they usually do not cause serious health complications. However, some people are susceptible to viral diseases that can seriously compromise their body’s defences, leading to more severe illnesses and life-threatening complications. 

Schedule an immediate online consultation at Zarcare if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of a viral infection that aren’t improving after several days.

Our expert practitioners can help you avoid complications and maintain your health after determining your underlying infection.

Contact us to schedule an online consultation!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Anyone can contract a viral disease, regardless of age or population. Several factors increase your chances of contracting a viral disease or developing complications from a viral disease:

  • An advanced age
  • Immune system dysfunction caused by immunodeficiency
  • A history of chronic illness
  • Nutritional deficiency
  • Children in infancy and elementary school

A nasal or throat swab or a blood sample may be necessary to diagnose a specific virus. A healthcare provider may recommend X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, and CT imaging if they suspect you have severe inflammation of the lungs, brain, or other internal organs. Your doctor can use imaging to understand how you’re being affected by a viral infection.

There is a high probability that almost all viral infections are transmittable (transmitted from person to person). Human viruses live by spreading between people, as they must infect living things to reproduce.