Viruses

Have you ever had a cold or flu? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Everyone in the world has mostly likely had one at least once in their life. No matter where you are in the world viruses are there. A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the cells of other organisms. (Freudenrich) Viruses can't live on their own. They require a host cell. Once in the host cell the virus takes over. Then continues to releases its protein in order to create new viruses. The cell is no longer a cell, it is a virus. Therefore the virus lets all the new little viruses out in order to attack more cells.
One of the most common viruses to take over is varicella-zoster virus also known as chicken pox. (Dowshen) This virus is spread person to person by direct contact, or through the air by coughing or sneezing. It is common for kids under 12 years old to get chicken pox. The child should stay home while they have this virus, because chicken pox is highly contagious. It causes flu like symptoms, such as fever, cough, headache, and loss of appetite. Chicken pox differs from other viruses by the appearance of a rash with little, itchy, red blisters that start in the lower body, and spread all over. Chicken pox can be prevented by giving the child a vaccine when they are 12 to 15 months old. This virus will go away without treated, although in serious cases death can occur. The most common complication of chicken pox is a bacterial infection of the skin or brain, bones, joints, lungs, and blood. Usually humans will become immune to the virus after having it once. (Coalition)
To a doctor the common cold is called viral upper respiratory tract infection. The common cold can be caused by a variety of viruses. These viruses are spread by direct contact, or inhaling the airborne virus after a sneeze or cough. The common cold effects both children and adults. New cold viruses are always developing, so the human body is not immune to them. To date there is no vaccine to prevent colds. Common symptoms include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, and sneezing. The symptoms of the virus can be treated, but you may have to talk to your doctor before using medications. (Greene) (Doerr)
In both these cases the virus can be both helpful and harmful. Helpful because they help to build our immunity. The symptoms can be annoying, but are usually controlled with home remedies and medications. However a person can get very seriously ill from the chicken pox or common cold. In rare cases, a person can die. (Viruses)
Continuing to learn and understand viruses is important work. Yes they cause the common cold, but they also cause life threatening conditions such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and cancer. Both of these conditions can lead to death. As we learn more, we can work to stop and prevent the spread of viruses. (Virus)

Bibliography
Freudenrich, Craig. "How Viruses Work." health.howstuffworks.com. 21 March 2011 .
"Virus." livescience.com. 22 March 2011 .