What is a virus?

Viruses are hard to describe. They are infectious agents that can only replicate inside the living cells of an organism.


Viruses are not living, are not made of cells, and are not considered organisms.

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How do viruses replicate?

Viruses have to enter the cell of a living organism and then use that cell to create multiple copies of the virus.

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How does measles spread between people?

The measles virus is spread by inhaling virus-containing droplets from sneezes and coughs.

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What are the symptoms of measles?

  1. Red skin rash.


  1. Fever (feeling hot and cold).

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Can measles be fatal (lead to death)?

Yes.

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What is the main reason that not many people catch measles?

Almost everyone is vaccinated against it. In the past, many people did die from measles.

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What does HIV stand for?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.


This is because it affects humans, it weakens the immune system (immunodeficiency), and it is a virus. 

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How is HIV spread between people?

1Sexual contact (unprotected sex).


2Exchange of body fluids (such as when drug users share needles).

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What are the initial symptoms of HIV?

It initially causes a flu-like illness.

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What is the treatment for HIV?

Antiretroviral drugs.

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Which body cells does HIV attack?

Immune cells - specifically, a type of white blood cell.

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What is AIDS?

AIDS occurs in the late stages of HIV infection (often after months or years) when the body's immune system becomes so severely damaged that it can no longer deal with other infections or cancers.

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What does the virus TMV stand for?

Tobacco mosaic virus.

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Which organisms does TMV infect?

It is a plant pathogen that affects many species of plants, including tomato and tobacco plants. 

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What are the symptoms of TMV?

 It gives a distinctive 'mosaic' pattern of discolouration on the leaves which affects the growth of the plant due to lack of photosynthesis.

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What are the main symptoms of Ebola?

Symptoms include fever, bleeding, severe headache, and muscle pain.

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