Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases

Viral Infectious Diseases

Viruses are like hijackers. They attack typical living cells and use them to multiply and produce other viruses like themselves. This can slaughter, damage, or change the cells and make sick. Different viruses attack certain cells in the body such as liver, respiratory system, or blood. Viruses are made of genetic material inside of a protein coating. Viruses cause common infectious diseases like common cold, flu and warts. Viruses also cause serious illnesses like HIV, Ebola and smallpox. Vaccines can help in preventing many viral diseases.