There are a myriad of microorganisms in the world, viruses predominate among them. They can survive in the harshest conditions. Viruses have been found in the eternal ice of Antarctica, in the hot sands of the Sahara, and even in the cold vacuum of space. Although not all of them are dangerous, more than 80% of all human diseases are caused by viruses.
Back in the 40s of the last century, about 40 diseases provoked by them were known to mankind. Today this figure is more than 500, not counting the fact that every year new species are discovered. People have learned to fight viruses, but knowledge is not always enough - more than 10 of their species remain the most dangerous for humanity. Viruses are the causative agents of dangerous human diseases. Let's look at the main ones.
Hantaviruses
The most dangerous type of virus is Hantavirus. When in contact with small rodents or their waste products, there is a chance of becoming infected. They can provoke many diseases, the most dangerous amongwhich are hemorrhagic fever and hantavirus syndrome. The first disease kills every tenth, the probability of death after the second is 36%. The largest outbreak occurred during the Korean War. Then more than 3,000 soldiers from different sides of the confrontation felt its effect. There is a strong possibility that the hantavirus caused the extinction of the Aztec civilization 600 years ago.
Ebola virus
What other dangerous viruses exist on Earth? The Ebola epidemic created panic in the world community just a year ago. The virus was discovered in 1976 during an epidemic in the Congo. It got its name in honor of the Ebola River, in the basin of which the outbreak occurred. Ebola has many symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. The most common of them include: fever, general weakness, vomiting, impaired liver and kidney function, sore throat. In some cases, internal and external bleeding is observed. In 2015, this virus took the lives of more than 12 thousand people.
How dangerous is the influenza virus?
Of course, no one will argue that a dangerous virus is a common flu. Every year, more than 10% of the world's population suffers from it, which makes it one of the most common and unforeseen.
The main danger to people is not the virus itself, but the complications that it can cause (kidney disease, pulmonary and cerebral edema, heart failure). Of the 600,000 people who died last year from influenza, only 30% of deaths were due tothe virus itself, the death of the rest is the result of complications.
Mutations are another danger of the influenza virus. Due to the constant use of antibiotics, every year the disease becomes stronger. Chicken and swine flu, epidemics of which have flared up over the past 10 years, are yet another confirmation of this. In the worst case scenario, in a few decades, drugs that can fight influenza will be extremely dangerous for humans.
Rotavirus
The most dangerous type of virus for children is rotavirus. Although the cure for it works quite effectively, about half a million babies die from this disease every year. This disease causes severe diarrhea, the body quickly dehydrates and death occurs. Most of those affected live in underdeveloped countries where it is difficult to obtain a vaccine against this virus.
Death Marburg
The Marburg virus was first discovered in the city of the same name in Germany in the late 60s of the last century. It is one of the top ten deadly viruses that can be transmitted from animals.
About 30% of diseases with this virus are fatal. In the early stages of this disease, a person is tormented by fever, nausea, and muscle pain. With a more severe course - jaundice, pancreatitis, liver failure. The carriers of the disease are not only people, but also rodents, as well as some species of monkeys.
Hepatitis in action
What other dangerous viruses are known? There are over 100 species that affect the human liver. by the mostthe most dangerous of them are hepatitis B and C. This virus is called the “gentle killer” for a reason, because it can stay in the human body for many years without causing noticeable symptoms.
Hepatitis most often leads to the death of liver cells, that is, to cirrhosis. It is almost impossible to cure the pathology caused by strains B and C of this virus. By the time hepatitis is detected in the human body, the disease, as a rule, is already in a chronic form.
The discoverer of this disease was the Russian biologist Botkin. The strain of hepatitis he found is now called "A", and the disease itself is treatable.
Smallpox virus
Smallpox is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind. It only affects humans, causing chills, dizziness, headaches, and lower back pain. The characteristic signs of smallpox is the appearance of a purulent rash on the body. In the last century alone, smallpox has claimed the lives of about half a billion people. Colossal material resources (about 300 million dollars) were thrown into the fight against this disease. Yet virologists have been successful: the last known case of smallpox was forty years ago.
Deadly rabies virus
The rabies virus is the first of this rating, leading to death in 100% of cases. Rabies can be contracted from the bite of a sick animal. The disease is asymptomatic until the time when it is no longer possible to save a person.
The rabies virus causes severe damage to the nervous system. In the last stagesdisease, a person becomes violent, experiences a constant feeling of fear, suffers from insomnia. Blindness and paralysis sets in a few days before death.
In the history of medicine, only 3 people have been saved from rabies.
Lassa virus
What other dangerous human viruses are known? Lassa fever caused by this virus is one of the most dangerous diseases in West Africa. It affects the human nervous system, kidneys, lungs, and can cause myocarditis. During the entire period of the disease, the body temperature does not fall below 39-40 degrees. Many painful purulent ulcers appear on the body.
The carriers of the Lassa virus are small rodents. The disease is transmitted by contact. Every year, about 500 thousand people become infected, of which 5-10 thousand die. In severe Lassa fever, mortality can reach 50%.
Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome
The most dangerous type of virus is HIV. It is considered the most dangerous of those known to man at this time.
Specialists have found that the first case of transmission of this virus from a primate to humans happened in 1926. The first fatal case was recorded in 1959. In the 60s of the last century, symptoms of AIDS were found in American prostitutes, but then they did not attach much importance to this. HIV was thought to be just a complex form of pneumonia.
HIV was recognized as a separate disease only in 1981, after the outbreak of an epidemic among homosexuals. Within 4 years, scientists figured out how to transmitof this disease: blood and seminal fluid. The real AIDS epidemic in the world began 20 years ago. HIV is rightfully called the plague of the 20th century.
This disease primarily affects the immune system. As a result, AIDS itself is not fatal. But an HIV-infected person who simply lacks immunity can die from a simple cold.
All attempts to develop an HIV vaccine have so far failed.
How dangerous is the papilloma virus?
About 70% of people are carriers of the papillomavirus, most of them are women. Papilloma is transmitted sexually. Of the more than 100 types of papillomavirus, about 40 lead to various diseases. As a rule, the virus infects the human genital organs. Its external manifestation is the appearance of growths (papillomas) on the skin.
The incubation period of the virus after entering the body can last from several weeks to several years. In 90% of cases, the human body itself will get rid of foreign microbodies. The danger of the virus is only for a weakened immune system. Therefore, papilloma often manifests itself during other illnesses, such as influenza.
The most serious consequence of papilloma can be cervical cancer in women. 14 known strains of this virus are highly oncogenic.
Is the bovine leukemia virus dangerous for humans?
Viruses can infect not only people, but also animals. Since a person eats animal products, the question of the danger of suchpathogens for humans.
The leukemia virus is in first place in the defeat of cattle (cattle). It infects the blood of cows, sheep, goats and provokes serious illness, and in some cases death.
Studies show that more than 70% of people have antibodies in their blood that can fight the bovine leukemia virus. However, this does not exclude the possibility of human infection with this virus. The likelihood that bovine leukemia can lead to blood cancer in humans is very small, but the possibility of other negative consequences exists. The leukemia virus can attach itself to human cells, causing mutations. In the future, this could create a new strain of him that would be equally dangerous to animals and humans.
Although viruses can benefit people, this does not cover their harm. More people have died from them than have died in all the wars of the world in all time. This article has listed the most dangerous viruses in the world. We hope you find this information useful. Stay he althy!
