Virus Talk

Brief History on Viruses

A virus is defined in the Oxford dictionary as "an infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by light microscopy, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host." Exposure, infection, transmission then an epidemic spread are the stages of a virus. While smallpox and rinderpest supposedly have been eradicated there are many other viruses that exist today; Marburg virus, Ebola virus, Rabies, HIV, HPV, Hepatitis, HSV, Hantavirus, Influenza, Swine flu, Dengue, Rotavirus, SARS-CoV- Corona Virus , SARS-CoV2-Corona Virus 2, MERS-CoV- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus, West Nile Virus, Human Bocavirus, Parvovirus 4, KI polyomavirus, Melaka Virus, WU Polyomavirus, Astrovirus MLB1, Bundibugyo Ebolavirus, Human Bocavirus 2, Human Cosaviruses A-D, Human Cosavirus E1, Astrovirus VA1, Klassevirus, Malaria, Yaws, Dracunculiasis, Poliomyelitis and Lujo Virus. Unlike infections that clear up and bacteria you can take an antibiotic for, they remain. They are permanent.

Words From an Expert

“Mild symptoms don’t mean the virus is mild,” says Doctor Steve Pergam an infection control expert. The more one coughs or sneezes the higher the chances one can spread both flu and covid-19 which is why he says its best to sneeze into your elbow or a sturdy tissue you can dispose of then wash your hands. When it comes to the masks Pergam states a mask’s, “effectiveness is limited once they get wet from coughing, sneezing or the humidification in airways.” Also did you know some people can be infected with the flu and Covid-19 with no symptoms at all? That’s what the CDC says! So how can you trust anyone really?

Active or Dormant

I had an appointment with my doctor before this pandemic. My doctor’s name is Runna Moussa-Pervane. She explained to me that ANY VIRUS…ANY has no cure basically. Doctors can only inhibit the spread of it by prescribing an antiviral medication. Antiviral drugs do not destroy the virus but neutralize the virus. Once you have had any virus it remains in your body. There is no cure only two states; active and dormant. With or without symptoms it can spread regardless.

Are You at Risk?

As with any infection, disease or virus the weaker the immune system the more dramatic the symptoms are. That is why the elderly and asthmatic should be cautious as well as anyone else with a compromised immune system due to a disease or virus. They are at higher risk and more prone to bacteria and viruses. It doesn’t help them when people touch things after digging for gold or use the restroom and do not wash their hands. Unfortunately many people do and that is why germs, bacteria and viruses spread like wildfire. You cannot put your trust in people nor control what they do no matter how icky. You can only take extra precaution because they are. This means washing your hands after touching community surfaces and objects that you have not disinfected first and let stand for five to ten minutes first. Wearing a washed reusable or dry new disposable mask, being socially selective and cautious, washing and sanitizing my hands as well as any groceries that enter my home is all I can do. It is all you can do in the hopes of protecting yourself from becoming infected.

Five Things You Can Do!

I have asked and asked many questions that lead to the same conclusion overall no one is sure about how this virus is being spread. Many people reside in the same household as infected individuals and do not and have not contracted it. Some people could care less and behave as such. You can not control them. You can only control yourself and the things you choose to do. The best thing you can do to limit exposure is to wear your facial mask, continue to social distance, wash your hands, remove all clothes and shower immediately from being in public, kill all bad habits such as facial touching and sanitize your things before allowing them to enter your home.