A viral infection is a condition when a virus enters a person's body, then attacks the body's cells and reproduces. There are many types of viral infections, depending on the organs in the body that are affected. Although not all, but most viral infections are transmitted from person to person, for example the flu, herpes, and HIV. While some other types of viral infections are transmitted through animal bites or objects contaminated with the virus.
Symptoms of Virus Infection
Symptoms of viral infection vary widely, depending on the organ affected, including:
- Fever
- Cough
- Have a cold
- sneeze
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Diarrhea
- stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Losing weight for no reason
- The skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow
- Dark urine
- Rash
- Bumps on the skin
- Bleeding
Immediately to the doctor if the body temperature rises to 39 degrees Celsius and above. Also pay attention to the symptoms that can accompany a fever and require immediate medical attention, such as:
- Severe headache
- Hard to breathe
- Pain in the chest and stomach
- Vomiting constantly
- Stiff neck or pain when looking down
- seizures.
Causes of Virus Infection
There are many viruses that cause infection. For example, the type of virus that infects the respiratory tract is different from the type of virus that infects the digestive tract. Listed below are a number of viral infections, based on the organ affected and the method of spread.
Viral infections of the respiratory tract
As the name suggests, this infection attacks the respiratory system, both the upper and lower respiratory systems. Viral infections of the respiratory system can affect several organs, such as the nose, sinuses, throat, and lungs.
The types of viruses that infect the respiratory tract are very diverse, including: influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, coronavirus (SARS), parainfluenza (croup), and adenovirus.
In general, transmission of this viral infection occurs when droplets of saliva from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are inhaled by another person. Transmission can also occur if you touch your nose or mouth without washing your hands first, after touching a contaminated object.
Viral infections of the digestive tract
Viral infections of the digestive tract affect organs in the digestive system, such as the stomach and intestines. This type of virus is spread by sharing personal items with an infected person. Transmission of the virus can also occur through food or water sources contaminated with the patient's feces. Touching your mouth, or eating without washing your hands thoroughly after defecating, can also cause transmission.
Some examples of viral infections of the digestive system that can cause gastroenteritis are rotavirus infections, norovirus infections, astrovirus infections, and some adenovirus infections.
Viral infections of the skin
In general, the type of virus that infects the skin is spread through droplets of saliva from an infected person's cough or sneeze. Some other viruses can be transmitted by touching the fluid on the skin of the wound. However, there are also types of viral skin infections that are transmitted through mosquitoes.
There are many types of viruses that cause skin infections, including: varicella-zoster, molluscum contagiosum, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
A number of skin diseases due to viral infections include chickenpox, measles, roseola, herpes zoster, rubella, molluscum contagiosum, warts (including genital warts), and chikungunya.
Viral infection of the liver
Viral infection of the liver is the most common cause of hepatitis. Depending on the type of virus, this virus can be spread through food contaminated with the feces of an infected person, or through the use of unsterile needles and direct contact with the blood, urine, sperm or vaginal fluids of an infected person. Some examples of liver disease due to viral infection are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
Viral infections of the nervous system
The central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, can also become infected with the virus. Several types of viruses that infect the central nervous system, including: herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2), varicella zoster, eenterovirus, arbovirus, and poliovirus.
Viruses that infect the nervous system can be transmitted in a variety of ways, and trigger a number of diseases. As an example, eenterovirus It is spread through saliva splashes when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Whereas arbovirus transmitted through the bite of insects such as mosquitoes or fleas.
Some diseases caused by viral infections of the nervous system are polio, encephalitis, and meningitis. Viral infections of the nervous system can also cause rabies. This disease is transmitted through the bite of an animal infected with the rabies virus, both wild animals and pets. Several types of animals that can transmit rabies infection are cats, dogs, bats, cows, and goats.
In addition to a number of viral infections that have been described above, there are also viral infections called viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). This type of viral infection causes blood clotting disorders and damages the walls of blood vessels, which can trigger bleeding. Some examples of diseases classified as VHF, among others:
- Ebola
- Dengue fever
- Yellow fever
- Lassa Fever
- Marburg fever.
Examples of other viral infections are: hgeneral immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is a virus that damages the immune system, and can progress to AIDS if not treated immediately. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the final stage of HIV, where the immune system is very weak.
HIV/AIDS includes viral infections that can be transmitted through sex, sharing needles, and blood transfusions. This virus can also be spread from pregnant women to their unborn babies, as well as through childbirth and breastfeeding.
Diagnosis of Virus Infection
Doctors can suspect a patient is infected with the virus by looking at a number of symptoms that have been described previously. However, in some cases of viral infection, the doctor will run a number of tests such as:
- Complete blood count. A complete blood count is performed to determine the white blood cell count. This is because the number of white blood cells can increase or decrease due to a viral infection.
- C-testreactive protein (CRP). The CRP test aims to measure levels of C reactive protein produced in the liver. In general, the CRP level in a person infected with the virus will increase, but not more than 50 mg/L.
- Enzyme-liked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This test aims to detect antibodies in the blood associated with a viral infection. ELISA test is used to detect virus-associated antibodies varicella zoster, HIV virus, and hepatitis B and C viruses.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR test aims to separate and duplicate viral DNA, so that the type of infecting virus can be identified faster and more precisely. PCR tests can be used to detect viral infections herpes simplex and varicella zoster.
- Scanning with an electron microscope. An electron microscope is used to scan a patient's blood or tissue samples. By using an electron microscope, the resulting image will be clearer than an ordinary microscope.
Viral infections are sometimes difficult to distinguish from bacterial infections. If this condition occurs, the doctor can perform a culture, namely taking a sample of the patient's blood or urine, for examination in the laboratory. In some cases, doctors may also perform a biopsy, which is a sample of infected body tissue to be examined under a microscope.
Viral Infection Treatment
Treatment of viral infections depends on the type of infection the patient has. Some viral infections, such as viral infections of the respiratory and digestive systems, generally don't need treatment, as the symptoms will go away on their own. However, the doctor will prescribe several types of medication, depending on the symptoms experienced by the patient, such as:
- Antiemetic, to treat nausea and vomiting
- Decongestants, to treat colds or nasal congestion
- Loperamide, to treat diarrhea
- Paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to reduce fever and reduce pain.
In cases of viral infections such as flu, herpes, and HIV, doctors can prescribe antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir, acyclovir, valacyclovir, and nevirapine. In addition, interferon can also be given for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C, as well as genital warts.
Please note that antiviral drugs, including interferon, only prevent the virus from growing and do not kill the virus itself. Interferon can also cause a number of side effects, such as fever, weakness, and muscle aches.
In addition, patients will also be advised to get plenty of rest and drink water. If needed, fluid intake can be given through an IV.
Virus Infection Prevention
Some viral infections can be prevented by getting a vaccine that stimulates a person's immune system. Vaccines are given by injection at a certain age, before a person is infected with the virus. A number of viruses that can be prevented by vaccination include:
- Smallpox
- Measles
- Yellow fever
- Mumps
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Influenza
- Japanese encephalitis
- Polio
- Rabies
- Rotavirus
- Rubella
In addition to giving vaccines, doctors can also give immunoglobulins, the part of blood plasma that contains antibodies to fight disease. This therapy is useful for patients who have immune disorders. A number of viral infections that can be prevented by giving immunoglobulins, These include HIV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza, rabies, and infection Varicella zoster.
Immunoglobulin obtained from donor blood that has been confirmed to be healthy, especially from infections such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. Immunoglobulin This will then be injected into the patient's muscle or vein. Dose immunoglobulins administered depending on the patient's weight. Typically, the dose ranges from 400-600 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) in one month
In general, patients require injections immunoglobulins every 3-4 weeks. This is because the blood breaks down immunoglobulins during this period, the patient will need to be re-injected to keep his immune system from fighting the infection.
Other steps to prevent viral infections include:
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before or after activities
- Eating food that has been cooked until cooked
- Avoid contact with infected people and objects contaminated with the virus
- Avoid insect bites, such as mosquitoes
- Cover mouth and nose with hand or tissue when coughing or sneezing
- Practice safe sex, for example by wearing a condom and being faithful to one partner.
