The name itself, which is translated from Latin as "poison", carries a threat and danger. The life form of viruses, which exist only inside the cell of living organisms, provides them with easy mutation and adaptability.
From a large army of species known to science today, let us consider the most dangerous viruses in the world that can cause significant harm to health, and sometimes even to death.
The most dangerous viruses in the world:
Flu
Let's start with the most common virus that causes an acute infectious disease that affects the upper respiratory tract.
Influenza easily mutates and today the scientific world knows more than 2 thousand of its varieties.
Certain strains are dangerous to humans, and statistics show that 200 to 500 thousand people die every year on Earth from seasonal epidemics. TheBiggest recommends that you refrain from crowded places during the period of influenza activity in your area.
Malaria
The most dangerous disease, which in the Middle Ages was called "swamp fever." And the virus is transmitted in a rather original, well-known way when bitten by a female mosquito of the Anopheles genus.
Until the end of the XIX century, scientists could not establish the causes of malaria, but they learned to treat it in ancient China.
The habitat of mosquitoes was significantly reduced by draining wetlands. And about the most dangerous insects in the world on our site there is a very interesting article.
Marburg
The virus, discovered in 1967, belongs to a large group of filoviruses, and, causing hemorrhagic fever, is one of the most dangerous human viruses.
It was discovered recently, in 2007, in the body of some individuals of Egyptian flying dogs.
Outbreaks of the disease were noted in various regions of Africa, as doctors noted in places of natural reservoirs of dangerous infections.
Cholera
Acute bacterial infection is spread mainly by epidemics, while affecting a large area.
With infection, complete dehydration of the body occurs, accompanied by other acute symptoms. Throughout its history, mankind has repeatedly suffered from serious cholera epidemics that claimed millions of lives in different parts of the world.
Spongiform encephalopathy
In science and medicine, this disease was named after the names of German doctors Creutzfeldt-Jakob. It was they who first described the symptoms, and identified the pathogen.
People call it “mad cow disease”. The human brain and central nervous system are affected, which leads to complete dementia.
Deadly to humans. In most cases, death occurs within two years.
Rotavirus
The real scourge of underdeveloped countries. But the worst thing is that this group of viruses infects children, causing acute diarrhea when ingested.
The disease is easy to treat, but timely medical intervention is necessary, and most importantly - hygiene and effective prevention.
Dengue
In this sad list, the Dengue virus, entering the human body, leads to the disease of the same name with fever.
The mortality rate of the most dangerous disease is 50%. Epidemics mainly affect the countries of Southeast Asia and Africa, where about 50 million people are infected annually.
Rabies
Rabies virus, caused by the rabies virus Rabies virus, was called rabies fear in Russia. Transmitted through saliva when bitten by infected animals.
It causes a special form of encephalitis and without medical intervention a person can die.
Very unstable to the environment, the virus dies when heated to 56 ° C.
Ebola African Fever
Because of this virus, an epidemic has been declared in many countries in Africa. A deadly disease claimed the lives of thousands of people.
The virus is one of the largest, and can take various forms. But the worst thing is that it can be transmitted in various ways.
In the European latitudes and on the American continents has not yet manifested. There were only cases of the arrival of infected people who visited Africa.
Smallpox
The list of the most dangerous viruses will continue Smallpox, most likely with which it was possible to cope. The last case of the disease on the planet was noted in 1977.
But in the twentieth century, the smallpox virus has become a real epidemic for humanity. Neither effort nor money was spared to fight him. In the 60–70 years alone, 300 million dollars were allocated for the struggle (at the current face value of $ 1.3 billion).
Lassa
In the photo: the causative agent of Lass disease. X1200 magnification
A deadly virus causes Lassa fever in humans and some species of monkeys. And they called a dangerous disease and its pathogen in the city of Lassa in Nigeria, where it was first discovered.
It affects the respiratory system, endocrine and nervous systems. The disease is very difficult and every year 5,000 people die from it in Africa. But the carriers, like most viruses, are rats.
AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was described in detail in the early 80s of the last century, and its human immunodeficiency virus causes it.
The danger is that when developing in the human body, HIV completely deprives its protective functions. In this case, a trifling disease or wound can cause death.
Despite a long search, a cure has not yet been found, and the disease remains incurable.
Genital herpes
A virus that primarily affects the skin and external genitalia in both men and women.
The most dangerous thing is that it cannot be removed from the body, and you can only suppress the symptoms of infection with the help of drugs.
One of the main dangers is that herpes can pass from parents to children.
Parotitis
We end up with a group of viruses that are better for getting sick in childhood, because in adulthood they can lead to significant complications.
These include the right to mumps, or as we call "mumps." The disease affects the sinewy organs and central nervous system.
After the disease, a stable, lifelong immunity is developed in the body.
Polio
One of the most dangerous infectious diseases against which it is necessary to be vaccinated against in childhood.
The disease affects the gray matter of the spinal cord, and leads to paralysis. Patients must be hospitalized, and after treatment, patients undergo a long recovery course.
The fight against poliomyelitis is deduced by the UN as the main task of modern medicine.
Conclusion
The ways of their transmission of viruses are different, so you should always be careful, especially when visiting, as they say, exotic countries.
The most dangerous human viruses have existed for a rather long period, and, sadly, most of them on our list are incurable. But if it cannot be cured, then it can be prevented, therefore prevention and hygiene are the main weapon against deadly viruses.
Thebiggest.ru editors ask you to write in the comments what other dangerous viruses you would add to our article
Article author: Valery Skiba