Viruses

Viruses

Viruses are not cells and have no metabolic abilities of their own. To be able to survive and reproduce, viruses need to enter a living cell called a host. Viruses cause several respiratory tract infections including for example influenza, COVID-19, and RSV infection. Unlike bacterial infections, infections caused by viruses can’t be treated with antibiotics.

Viruses are not cells and, unlike cells, viruses have no metabolic abilities of their own1. To be able to survive and reproduce, viruses need to enter a living cell (such as a human cell) called a host2.

Infections caused by viruses can’t be treated with antibiotics. For some viral infections there are antiviral drugs available but antibiotics do not work on viruses3,4. Taking antibiotics when they’re not needed does not offer any help. On the contrary, unnecessary antibiotic use could cause harmful side effects and it contributes to the rise of antibiotic resistance2,4.

Viruses causing respiratory tract infections

Viruses can cause several respiratory tract infections including for example influenza, COVID-19, and RSV infection. Correct diagnosis of viral infection reduces unnecessary antibiotic use.

Below are some examples of viruses causing respiratory tract infections and products that can be used in their diagnostics.

Adenovirus

Adenovirus can cause illnesses from common cold to sore throat, but it can also cause pneumonia, acute gastroenteritis, and neurological diseases5. Adenovirus rapid tests help to identify the cause of the symptoms as the symptoms of respiratory adenoviral infection may be difficult to differentiate from other respiratory infections.

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

    RSV is a leading cause of respiratory tract infections and it accounts for more than 60% of acute respiratory tract infection cases among young children6,7. RSV is often associated with high morbidity and mortality rates among children as well as the elderly and immunocompromised patients. As the symptoms are very similar to other viral infections, RSV rapid tests assist in detection of the cause of the illness.

      Infectious mononucleosis

      Infectious mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosis is a contagious disease usually caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and it is common among teenagers and young adults8. With rapid mononucleosis test, EBV can easily be detected from whole blood, fingerstick whole blood, serum or plasma.

        Influenza

        Influenza is one of the leading causes of acute respiratory infections9. Despite the seasonal vaccination against influenza, the infections represent a considerable public burden worldwide. This is due to continuous antigen changes in the surface glycoproteins of influenza virus, which reduce the effectiveness of vaccination10. Influenza rapid tests help to quickly differentiate the cause of the illness making it easier to treat the patients accurately.

          SARS-CoV-2

          COVID-19 is the respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. People infected with SARS-CoV-2 will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and most will recover without a need for special treatment. However, COVID-19 can sometimes cause a severe disease requiring intensive care. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions are more likely to develop serious illness.11 COVID-19 can transmit easily, and rapid identification of infected persons aids in cutting transmission routes.


          References

          1. Michael T. Madigan, John M. Martinko, Jack Parker. Brock Biology of Microorganisms (10th Edition). Pearson Education Inc, 2003.
          2. What’s the difference between bacteria and viruses? https://imb.uq.edu.au/article/2020/04/difference-between-bacteria-and-viruses
            Accessed: 8 December 2023
          3. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Viruses or Bacteria; What’s got you sick? https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/pdfs/VirusOrBacteria-Original-P.pdf Accessed: 13 December 2023
          4. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Antibiotic Do’s & Don’ts. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/do-and-dont.html Accessed: 14 December 2023
          5. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/adenovirus/symptoms.html Accessed: 5 October 2023.
          6. Hall CB. Respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus. N Engl J Med. 2001;344(25):1917–28.
          7. Falsey AR, Hennessey PA, Formica MA, Cox C, Walsh EE. Respiratory syncytial virus infection in elderly and high-risk adults. N Engl J Med. 2005;352(17):1749–59.
          8. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Infectious Mononucleosis. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/about-mono.html Accessed: 5 October 2023.
          9. Reed C, Chaves SS, Kirley PD, et al. Estimating influenza disease burden from population-based surveillance data in the United States. PLoS ONE 2015;10:e0118369.
          10. de Vries RD, Altenburg AF, Rimmelzwaan GF. Universal influenza vaccines: A realistic option? Clinical Microbiology and Infection 2016;22:S120-S4.
          11. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Questions and answers on COVID-19: Basic facts. Available at: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/questions-answers/questions-answers-basic-facts Accessed: 7 November 2023

            Contact us!