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Updated in [September 25th, 2023]
What does this course tell?
(Please note that the following overview content is from the original platform)One main motivation for the study of viruses is the fact that they cause many important infectious diseases among them the common cold influenza rabies measles many forms of diarrhea hepatitis Dengue fever yellow fever polio smallpox and AIDS Herpes simplex causes cold sores and genital herpes and is under investigation as a possible factor in AlzheimersSome viruses known as oncoviruses contribute to the development of certain forms of cancer The best studied example is the association between Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer: almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by certain strains of this sexually transmitted virus Another example is the association of infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses and liver cancerSome subviral particles also cause disease: the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies which include Kuru Creutzfeldt:Jakob disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy ("mad cow disease") are caused by prions hepatitis D is due to a satellite virusThe study of the manner in which viruses cause disease is viral pathogenesis The degree to which a virus causes disease is its virulenceWhen the immune system of a vertebrate encounters a virus it may produce specific antibodies which bind to the virus and neutralize its infectivity or mark it for destruction Antibody presence in blood serum is often used to determine whether a person has been exposed to a given virus in the past with tests such as ELISA Vaccinations protect against viral diseases in part by eliciting the production of antibodies Monoclonal antibodies specific to the virus are also used for detection as in fluorescence microscopyA second defense of vertebrates against viruses cell-mediated immunity involves immune cells known as T cells: the bodys cells constantly display short fragments of their proteins on the cells surface and if a T cell recognizes a suspicious viral fragment there the host cell is destroyed and the virus-specific T-cells proliferate This mechanism is jump-started by certain vaccinationsRNA interference an important cellular mechanism found in plants animals and many other eukaryotes most likely evolved as a defense against viruses An elaborate machinery of interacting enzymes detects double-stranded RNA molecules (which occur as part of the life cycle of many viruses) and then proceeds to destroy all single-stranded versions of those detected RNA moleculesEvery lethal viral disease presents a paradox: killing its host is obviously of no benefit to the virus so how and why did it evolve to do so? Today it is believed that most viruses are relatively benign in their natural hosts; some viral infection might even be beneficial to the host The lethal viral diseases are believed to have resulted from an "accidental" jump of the virus from a species in which it is benign to a new one that is not accustomed to it (see zoonosis) For example viruses that cause serious influenza in humans probably have pigs or birds as their natural host and HIV is thought to derive from the benign non-human primate virus SIVWhile it has been possible to prevent (certain) viral diseases by vaccination for a long time the development of antiviral drugs to treat viral diseases is a comparatively recent development The first such drug was interferon a substance that is naturally produced when an infection is detected and stimulates other parts of the immune systemWe considered the value of this course from many aspects, and finally summarized it for you from two aspects: skills and knowledge, and the people who benefit from it:
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What skills and knowledge will you acquire during this course?
During this course on virology, the learner will acquire the following skills and knowledge:
1. Understanding of the various infectious diseases caused by viruses, including the common cold, influenza, rabies, measles, diarrhea, hepatitis, Dengue fever, yellow fever, polio, smallpox, and AIDS.
2. Knowledge of the association between certain viruses and the development of cancer, such as Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer, and hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses and liver cancer.
3. Familiarity with subviral particles that cause diseases, such as prions causing transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and hepatitis D caused by a satellite virus.
4. Understanding of viral pathogenesis, which involves studying how viruses cause diseases and the degree of virulence they possess.
5. Knowledge of the immune response to viral infections, including the production of specific antibodies that neutralize viruses and mark them for destruction.
6. Understanding of how vaccinations protect against viral diseases by eliciting antibody production and the use of monoclonal antibodies for detection.
7. Knowledge of cell-mediated immunity, involving T cells that recognize and destroy virus-infected host cells.
8. Familiarity with RNA interference as a cellular defense mechanism against viruses.
9. Understanding the evolution of lethal viral diseases and the concept of zoonosis, where viruses jump from benign hosts to new ones.
10. Awareness of the development of antiviral drugs, starting with interferon, which stimulates the immune system to combat infections.
Overall, this course will provide a comprehensive understanding of viruses, their impact on human health, and the strategies used to prevent and treat viral diseases.
Who will benefit from this course?
This course on Virology Exam Questions Practice Test will benefit individuals in various professions and with specific interests.
1. Medical Professionals: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals will benefit from this course as it will enhance their understanding of viral diseases and their impact on human health. It will help them in diagnosing and treating viral infections more effectively.
2. Virologists: This course will be highly beneficial for virologists who study viruses and their behavior. It will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of different viruses, their pathogenesis, and the mechanisms by which they cause diseases.
3. Researchers: Scientists and researchers working in the field of virology will find this course valuable. It will help them in designing experiments, conducting research, and developing new strategies to combat viral infections.
4. Public Health Professionals: Individuals working in public health, such as epidemiologists and public health officers, will benefit from this course. It will equip them with knowledge about viral diseases, their transmission, and prevention strategies, enabling them to make informed decisions and implement effective control measures.
5. Pharmaceutical Industry: Professionals working in the pharmaceutical industry, including drug developers and researchers, will find this course useful. It will provide them with insights into the development of antiviral drugs and the challenges associated with it.
6. Students and Educators: Students pursuing degrees in medicine, biology, or related fields will benefit from this course as it will supplement their knowledge of virology. Educators teaching virology or related subjects can also use this course as a resource to enhance their teaching materials.
Course Syllabus
Practice Tests