Examples of Viruses
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 3.1.5
Virus Examples
Many diseases are caused by viruses. Some examples are:
Measles
- Symptoms include a fever and red skin rash.
- Measles is a virus that can be fatal if complications arise.
- For this reason, most young children are vaccinated against measles.
- The measles virus is spread by breathing in (inhaling) droplets from sneezes and coughs.
HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus)
- HIV is spread by sexual contact or the exchange of body fluids (e.g blood from sharing needles).
- Initially, HIV causes a flu-like illness. However, unless antiretroviral drugs are used successfully, the HIV virus enters the lymph nodes and attacks the body’s own immune cells.
- AIDS is caused by HIV. It is the name given to the life-threatening infections that can happen when a person’s immune system has been badly damaged by HIV.
TMV (Tobacco mosaic virus)
- Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is a pathogen that affects plants, such as tomatoes.
- The unique ‘mosaic’ pattern of the discolouration of the plant stunts the growth of the affected plant, because photosynthesis cannot take place.
Test yourself on Examples of Viruses
Which of the following are types of viral disease?
Why does tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) stunt the growth of an infected plant?
What happens to HIV if antiretroviral drugs are not used successfully?
Which of the following statements about viruses is true?