Prevention from Viral Diseases - Dr TN Chugh.
SIRSA NEWS
25 March,
2017
Pictures and Videos: GS
Mann, Amar S Jyani
Prevention from Viral
Diseases
‘Virus’ are very small,
complex particles of nucleic acids and proteins which act as infectious agents
and replicate (reproduce) only inside the living cells of other organisms.
Virus can infect all forms of animals, plants to micro-organisms including bacteria.
The Latin word ‘Virion’ stands for ‘poison’. The first discovery of Tobacco
mosaic virus was made by D. Ivanovsky in 1892. There are millions types of
virus in all kinds of natural environment. They are very small in size, 20 to
1000 nm, about one hundredth of certain bacteria, and can only be observed
through electron microscope (not by any optical microscope). The virion
particles contain the genetic chemical of DNA or RNA covered with protein coat
called ‘capsid’. These particles may get protected by lipid membrane when they
acquire crystalline form outside their host cells.
They are now being
considered as form of life that interact with other living organisms because:
they possess the quality to reproduce similar young ones; presence of genetic material
single or double stranded DNA or RNA; can undergo changes (mutations) due to
change of host or environment. The nonliving properties are that they do not
live independently; do not have the organelles of ribosome, mitochondria,
nucleus, chromosomes; they are unable to produce their own proteins, energy and
genetic material.
Viral diseases:
Their illnesses are
communicable (direct or indirect) and many are fatal. The common human
disorders are---Influenza, Chickenpox, Smallpox, Polio, AIDS, Herpes, Measles,
Mumps, Rubella, Bad cold, Shingles, Viral Gastro-enteritis, Meningitis,
Viral-hepatitis, Dengue fever, Trachoma, Chicken-goonia, Viral pneumonia,
Rabies and many more. Most common ways of infections from carrier person to
other persons include:
• Breathing in air borne droplets contaminated with virus.
• Taking food and drinking water polluted with virus or
containing microbes infected with virus.
• Having sexual contact with infected person.
• Wrong type of blood transfusion.
• Indirect transmission from infected persons through
mosquitoes, ticks, field mice, cats, dogs, other attacking animals etc.
• Direct contact or touching with certain host plants.
• Touching body surface (skin) or body fluid contaminated
with virus.
Resistance from diseases:
Immunity is the ability
to abstain, withstand and oppose the disease causing organisms (pathogens) and
their toxic products (poisons) in the host. The study of immune system is
referred as immunology. Antigens are the wrong substances when introduced into
the body of host, excite or stimulate the production of antibodies. Antigens
are generally proteins but a few may be carbohydrates, lipids or nucleic acids.
Antibodies are proteins in the form of immune-globins (IgS) which are produced
by B- lymphocytes and plasma cells. The antibodies get generated by mature
plasma cells at very fast rate (about 2000 molecules per minute). The
immune-globulins are grouped in five iso-types, namely, Ig-A, Ig-D, Ig-E, Ig-G
and Ig-M. They differ from each other in size, charge, carbohydrate contents
and amino acid composition, for instance, Ig- G has small size, most abundant
(about 75% of total) and effective, whereas, Ig-G is five times larger in size.
Proper use of
Vaccination:
Vaccine is specific
medicine, used to promote the production of antibodies. It is prepared from the
suspension or extract of dead or weakened germs of a disease which can be
injected into a healthy or diseased person. It helps to provide temporary or
permanent active or passive immunity by inducing antibodies formation. The
fundamental truth of vaccination or immunization is based on the property of
‘memory’ of prevention and protection of diseases through microbes (immune
system). Vaccines were not created as treatment of virus; rather these are
tools which can be used to prevent certain viral disorders---Polio virus during
early childhood in five doses, MMR from 9 to 15 months in one dose, Chicken pox
up to 12 months in five doses, Hepatitis-A and B in the form of passive immune
serum globulins, Measles virus etc. We should realize the concept that
prevention is better than cure.
Important viral diseases
with ill effects and prevention:
Influenza: It is caused
by highly infectious Myxovirus. It results in fever, headache, pain all over
body, bad effects on nose, throat and air passage, sneezing and cough. In
neglected cases, pneumonia, bad cold and ear infection may also cause
complications. There is no vaccine and specific drug, but doctor advice is
beneficial.
Measles: Caused by a type
of Paramyxovirus and transmitted by direct contact, cough and sneezing through
patient. In the early stage it causes chill, infection of nose and fever but
later on red blocky skin rashes. The disease can be prevented by isolation of
patient, protection from cold and direct air, cleaning body with warm water,
Edmoston B-vaccine prepared from chick embryo and injecting globulins.
Mumps: Caused by a type
of Paramyxovirus through direct contact with patient and saliva. It results in
headache, backache, excess spoiling of saliva and taste buds, swelling in jaws
and ears. Asprin is given to relieve pain, advised rest, give alternate hot and
cold pack to neck.
Chickenpox: Caused by
Varicella virus through direct contact with patient and indirect use of
infected objects of patient. It brings fever, skin eruptions with red spots,
vesicles and scab formation in about 36 hours. The scabs are not formed like
small pox. The disease can be prevented by isolation of patient and the use of
Zoster Immune globulins (zig). The patient should avoid scraping, scabs be
collected and burnt. The persons taking care should boil and clean the articles
used by patient.
Trachoma: It is
inflammatory disease of eyes. The infection results in swelling, discomfort and
discharge of fluids from eyes. It is caused due to direct contact of tears from
patient or indirect contact of towels, pillows, handkerchief of patients. The
antibiotic commonly used to cure the disease.
Rabies (Hydrophobia): It
is caused by Street virus due to bite of infected dogs, cats etc. It damages
central nervous system, causes severe pain, spasm of muscles in chest and
choking of throat. Its treatment was discovered by Louis Pasteur in the form of
vaccine given in 14 doses, one on each day. The vaccine is prepared from spinal
cord of rabbit to produce antibodies in patient.
Poliomyelitis: It is
caused by Enterovirus due to pollution in water, food spread by housefly. The
disease damages nerves, many blood vessels, muscles and bones. Its first
vaccine was prepared by Jonas Salk by killing poliovirus by formaldehyde. Now
Sabin and coworkers have prepared oral polio vaccine consisting of living but
tamed virus.
AIDS: it is caused by Leukemia virus (HIV) due to
infections in human T-cells. It spreads through intra venous drug users, use of
infected blood by transfusion, immoral implementation of sex among persons
infected with virus. The ill effects include loss of weight, fever of unknown
origin, brain tumor, hemorrhage (bleeding), and swelling of lymph glands, mouth
ulcer or even death. Certain medicines are being used now to delay or avoid
death.
Dengue fever: It is
Flavirdeae ravivirus disease spread by Aedes mosquitoes. The virus of dengue
fever was first isolated by R.W. Ross from India in 1953. This fever develops
its own lifelong immunity. It causes nausea, vomiting, bleeding from nose and
gums, body ache and joint pains. Use mosquito repellents, mosquito coils or
vapors, eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, and wear long sleeved shirts and
long trousers to prevent mosquito bites. The repellents containing DEET,
picaridin and oil of lemon, eucalyptus or para-menthane are useful. Do not
spray the repellent on skin under your clothing. Use luke warm water and fruit
juice for relief.
Chikungunia: It is
Togaviridae alphavirus disease with similar source of infector and symptoms as
dengue fever. It was first reported from Tanzania but now prevalent in many
tropical areas. The fever remains effective for three to seven weeks. Joint
pain is severe which lasts for a few months. Proper help should be received
from doctor for care of dengue and chikungunia.
Help to the Society: Every person should be conscious for personal
health and take care of society. The qualified persons can well understand
about the causes, ill effect, prevention and treatment of common diseases. They
can also seek the help of government, social and charitable organizations.
Everyone should take care of personal balanced diet, daily exercise, time for
prayers and meditation, spare time for self less voluntary service to the
society. Develop faith in Divine Lord to lead peaceful life through His kind
bliss.
Contributed by: Dr. Triloki Nath Chugh.
Co-ordinator,
Shah Satnam Ji Educational Institutions, Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa (Haryana,
India ).
The writer is an eminent former Professor of Zoology; he has
more than 3 decades of teaching experience in various colleges of KUK and is
presently Co-ordinator, Shah Satnam Ji Educational Institutions, DSS, Sirsa. He
can be reached on his Mobile No:+91-94160 48789 and email: trilokichugh@gmail.com . Dr Chugh has published
many Zoology research papers; Guided several M.Phil students for research;
M.Sc. Secured 2nd Position BITS PILANI 1968; Gold Medalist in
French Diploma 1981 KUK; Prinicipal at SSS Boys College for 7 years.
