Almost every person on Earth is a carrier of some kind of viral infection. This is due to the fact that every minute we come into contact with many harmful microorganisms: viruses, fungi, bacteria. Viruses that parasitize in the body for a long time have a destructive effect on it. Moreover, the consequences may be such that the harm done to the body cannot be eliminated.
Viruses
Viruses are parasitic microorganisms (particles of nucleic acids RNA, DNA). Parasitism is the way of their existence. They live and feed on the organism within which they exist. Outside the body, viruses (outside) die, they simply have nothing to eat.
When a person has strong immunity, he resists the multiplication of viruses. But with a weakened immune system, viruses become more active. Having settled in a favorable environment for themselves, viruses rapidlymultiply, rapidly and unlimitedly.
Even when viruses are “dormant” in the human body, this also harms physical he alth. Inflammation of the mucous membranes, gynecological, urological, persistent colds - this is not a complete list of the harmful effects of viruses, that is, the process of destroying human he alth.
In women, viruses affect the genitourinary system, on this soil erosion occurs, inflammation of the mucous membranes, urinary tract, and then infertility.
Viruses are extremely dangerous for pregnant women. They affect the fetus, miscarriage or stillbirth may occur.
Immunity is the enemy of viruses
Once in the body, viruses are attacked by the human immune system. There are many varieties of viruses, our immune defenses are not able to fight some of them. Therefore, certain types of pathogens settle in the human body and live there, hiding. They are awakened to action when the immune system weakens. That is, a person lives and does not suspect that he is infected with a viral infection, but a blood test for viruses reveals it. If as a result the presence of viruses is established, immediate and competent treatment will completely heal the body. It is better not to take risks and monitor your physical condition, this is where virus tests help a person. You should never forget that a person who has a viral infection, even if not in an acute stage, is its carrier, that is, it poses a danger to others.
The most dangerousviruses
Viruses can be present in the human body, against which immunity and medicines are powerless. These are hepatitis, papillomavirus, herpes, rotavirus and the most dangerous for human life - AIDS. They may not show themselves for a long time, but this makes them no less dangerous. They can only be detected by passing tests for viruses and infections.
Methods for detecting viral infections
Materials for virus analysis are: blood, urine, feces, saliva, mucosal scraping, smear.
You can detect the presence of viruses using various medical diagnostic methods. To do this, they do a blood test for viruses, use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, the enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) method. ELISA and PCR research methods are high-precision modern methods for testing blood for viruses. Even a general blood test will not give such an accurate result.
ELISA is an analysis for antibodies to viruses. The study reveals whether there are specific antibodies in the blood, the etiology and stage of the disease.
PCR is a method of molecular genetic diagnostics that detects whether there are viruses in a person. The analysis shows the presence and nature of the virus even before the onset of the disease. PCR never gives erroneous results. If there are no viruses, then the virus test will be negative.
The old way to detect viruses is microbiological culture (BAC culture). The method, although ancient, is quite accurate. The material for the study are scrapings from the urethra, vagina. The scrapings are left in the nutrient substance andobserve whether (and how fast) microorganisms will grow.
Only a qualified doctor, after examining the patient and listening to his complaints, can decide which virus tests to take.
Data confirming the presence of viruses
A complete blood count shows the development of the disease in the body if lymphocytes, monocytes, ESR exceed the norm, and neutrophils and leukocytes are below the norm.
Human immunity produces immunoglobulins (IGM, IGA, IGG) in response to the introduction of foreign microorganisms (that is, viruses) into it. Their presence in the blood is detected by the ELISA method. If immunoglobulins are formed, then viruses are definitely present. This analysis for viruses determines the stage of the disease and the form of infection (acute, chronic, asymptomatic), the degree of productivity of the prescribed treatment. The disadvantage of this type of study is that it is not the virus itself that is being studied, but the body's response to it.
Each virus has a unique DNA. It can be used to determine what kind of alien microorganism it is. This study produces the PCR method. The research methodology is based on molecular biology. If the analysis showed the presence of genetic material belonging to the virus, then a person is infected with this virus. In addition to the type of virus, such an analysis for viruses gives an idea of their number, vulnerability to certain medications. This makes it possible to choose effective methods and methods of treatment. The PCR method absolutely accurately detects all types of viruses.
How to get tested?
Any timethe clinic will explain to the patient what tests are being taken for viruses. It is possible to donate blood for research at any hospital where there is a laboratory. Currently, there are paid medical diagnostic institutions, where they also do tests. The results will also be given here, but the doctors must decipher the results. To confirm the diagnosis, sometimes not only test results are needed, but also other diagnostic methods.
It is important to properly prepare for a blood test. Otherwise, you may get a false positive or false negative result.
Basic rules on how to prepare and pass tests for viruses:
- Blood is taken in the morning (from 7 am to 10 am).
- Blood sampling is carried out only on an empty stomach. Before the procedure, you can not eat anything, you can only drink water (tea, coffee, juices, drinks are excluded).
- Don't take any medication for a week before your blood test. If it is necessary to take medication, then this must be told to the doctor who gives the referral for the study.
- Do not drink alcohol, alcohol-containing balms, tinctures a week before donating blood.
- Before testing (about a week), stick to a diet, do not eat fatty, pickled, smoked, fried foods.
- Ideally, you should not smoke for several days before the procedure, but since passionate smokers will not adhere to this, at least do not smoke for 2 hours before blood sampling.
- One month before the test, stop using oral contraceptives, suppositories and ointments.
Very good before donating blood, the patient is in a calm physical and emotional state. Increased excitability or physical activity affects the structure of the blood.
The technique of taking blood for analysis is simple, it is taken from a person's cubital vein.
Main indications for prescribing tests
The appearance of a reddish rash of unknown origin on the body, irritation, itching, burning of the mucous membrane, soreness, discomfort in the lower abdomen and groin, unhe althy discharge from the genitals, poor appetite, constant fatigue, weight loss, regularly recurring colds - these are all indications for analysis.
If there are a lot of papillomas on the body, then it is necessary to do tests for viruses and to determine the type of virus. In some cases, everything can end with cancer.
Deciphering the results obtained
The ELISA research method is based on the detection of antigens to different viruses. A new microorganism that settles in a person receives a response from his immune system from him. Each type of virus has its own antigen. The presence of the LGG antigen to the virus indicates that immunity to it has already been developed, since the person has had this viral infection before. If there is an LGM antigen, then the virus has entered the body for the first time, and the process of developing immunity to this virus is underway. In the acute phase of infection, both antigens are present in the blood.
Decipher the result of the study by PCR can not be a doctor, if there is virus DNA, then there is a virus. ATIn some cases, there are also errors. The method itself is very accurate, errors can occur due to the fault of the he alth workers who took the blood.
What diseases do tests detect?
Research results allow us to detect: hepatitis B, C; herpes; Epstein-Barr virus; papillomavirus; immunodeficiency virus; adenovirus; rotavirus; sexual infections (including syphilis).
A patient with a viral infection should never self-medicate. Treatment should be prescribed by a qualified doctor, a specialist in viral infections. Treatment must be supervised by this physician.
The patient should limit his contacts with people, perform all the procedures prescribed by the doctor.
Contraindications
Testing for viruses is contraindicated for those who are sick with sexually transmitted infections, HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, oncology, after vaccination.
Testing is contraindicated for women during the menstrual cycle. And also to people after tooth extraction - within 10 days; after piercing, tattoo, acupuncture - one year; sick with ARVI, tonsillitis, influenza - one month; after childbirth - one year; after lactation - three months; after an abortion - six months.
