Viruses are tiny, infectious agents that can cause a wide range of diseases in humans, animals, and even plants. While some viruses are harmless, others can be extremely deadly, leading to widespread illness and death.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the world is increasingly aware of the dangers posed by viruses. In this article, we will take a look at some of the deadliest viruses in history, with pictures to help illustrate just how devastating these diseases can be.
1. Ebola Virus
The Ebola virus is one of the deadliest viruses known to humans. It causes severe, often fatal, hemorrhagic fever in humans and other primates. The virus is spread through the direct contact with bodily fluids of infected animals or humans.
Symptoms of Ebola include fever, muscle pain, headache, and fatigue, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes bleeding. There is currently no specific treatment for Ebola, but supportive care can help improve a patient’s chances of survival.
2. Smallpox Virus
Smallpox is caused by the variola virus and was one of the deadliest diseases in human history. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated objects.
The symptoms of smallpox include fever, headache, and a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Smallpox was eradicated in the wild in 1980, thanks to a successful global vaccination campaign.
3. Hantavirus
The hantavirus is a group of viruses that can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans. The virus is spread through contact with infected rodents or their urine and droppings.
Symptoms of HPS include fever, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, which can rapidly progress to severe breathing difficulties and even death. There is no specific treatment for HPS, but early supportive care can help improve a patient’s chances of survival.
4. HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) weakens the immune system and can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The virus is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, and breast milk.
There is currently no cure for HIV, but antiretroviral therapy can help manage the virus and prevent it from progressing to AIDS.
5. SARS-CoV-2
The novel coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, is responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic. The virus spreads easily from person to person through respiratory droplets, and symptoms can range from mild to severe.
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Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and even death. While vaccines are now available to help control the spread of COVID-19, the disease continues to affect millions of people worldwide.
6. Rabies Virus
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can be transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Symptoms of rabies may include fever, headache, and muscle weakness, followed by confusion, paralysis, and eventually death.
While there is no cure for rabies, a series of shots can help prevent the onset of symptoms after exposure to the virus.
7. Marburg Virus
The Marburg virus is a highly infectious virus that causes severe hemorrhagic fever and can be fatal in up to 90% of cases. The virus is spread through contact with infected bats or monkeys, or their bodily fluids.
Symptoms of Marburg virus may include fever, muscle aches, chills, weakness, and bleeding from mucous membranes and skin. There is no specific treatment for the Marburg virus, and supportive care is used to manage symptoms.
8. Influenza Virus
Influenza is a contagious viral infection that can cause mild to severe illness, and can sometimes lead to death.
The virus is spread through respiratory droplets and symptoms of influenza may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. While most cases of influenza are mild and self-limiting, severe cases can lead to complications such as pneumonia and death.
9. West Nile Virus
The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause a range of symptoms from mild fever to a deadly neurological illness.
The virus is spread by mosquitoes that have bitten infected birds, and symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. Severe cases of West Nile virus may lead to encephalitis or meningitis, which can cause permanent neurological damage or death.
10. Zika Virus
The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause birth defects in infants born to infected mothers. The virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito, and symptoms may include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis.
While most cases of Zika are mild and self-limiting, severe cases can result in neurological complications and even death. Pregnant women and women trying to conceive are advised to take precautions against Zika to prevent birth defects.
