Viral mutations are changes in the structure and genetic properties of viruses. This process can occur when the virus is multiplying in the cells of its host, both humans and animals. However, what causes the virus to mutate?
Viruses are very small microorganisms, which are about 16-30 nanometers. This size is much smaller than bacteria. However, both bacteria and viruses can cause infection or disease in humans.
The following are some types of diseases caused by viruses:
- Flu
- Measles
- Hepatitis B and C
- Chicken pox
- Dengue fever
- HIV/AIDS
- COVID-19
The reason the virus mutates
Viruses survive by attaching to host cells. As long as it is in the body of a human or animal host, the virus will continue to reproduce by channeling genetic material, both RNA and DNA, to healthy cells in the host's body.
Once the genetic material of the virus enters the host cell, the virus takes over and destroys the cell. However, in humans, this process can be inhibited by the immune system.
In order to survive, viruses must adapt by constantly mutating to trick the immune system of their host. After the virus mutates, the immune system will have a harder time recognizing the virus, so the virus can survive and attack host cells.
Not only to trick the immune system, the viral mutation process can also make the virus stronger and easier to reproduce. Virus mutations can also make viruses have the potential to cause new diseases, such as COVID-19.
However, sometimes viruses can also be stimulated to mutate to make them weaker. This process is generally carried out in a laboratory, with human intervention. The mutation of the virus to become weaker is usually carried out in the vaccine development process.
Corona Virus Mutation and Corona Vaccine
One of the diseases caused by viruses is COVID-19. The Corona virus that causes COVID-19 is a type of RNA virus. When compared to DNA viruses, RNA viruses tend to mutate more quickly.
Over the last few months, the Corona virus, which just emerged at the end of 2019, is known to have undergone mutations. However, the effect of the Corona virus mutation on the severity of the disease, the speed of virus transmission, and the development of vaccines is still not considered significant and requires special attention.
However, starting at the end of 2020 to 2021, WHO has reported that there are several types of new Corona virus variants that need to be watched out for (variant of concerns), namely the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants of the Corona virus. Meanwhile, several other COVID-19 variants such as Kappa, Lambda, Mu, Eta and Iota are classified as variants that need attention (variants of interest).
The vaccine for the Corona virus that is currently being developed is still effective in stimulating the immune system against the Corona virus that has undergone mutations.
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