Viral diseases have been around since time immemorial and humans have fought against them. But with advances in technology and medicine, we have found a way to prevent and combat some of the fiercest viruses in history.
However, there seems to be no end, and new viruses continue to appear that, today, are causing more havoc than ever.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 virus is an infectious respiratory disease that has existed among us for more than a year and a half. It can range from mild to moderate to severe infections and, if not acted upon quickly, can lead to hospitalizations and deaths. So far, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been 236,599,025 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 4,831,486 deaths, reported to the WHO globally.
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans, not limited to COVID-19 or the SARs-COV-2 virus. It can also cause serious illnesses like Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
MERS is said to have a death rate of up to 37.2% compared to the current estimated death rate of 2% to 3% for COVID-19.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
Caused by a SARS-associated coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) can also lead to deaths. It was first detected in February 2003, when a deadly outbreak occurred in China that affected four other countries. Since it is an airborne virus, it can be spread through tiny aerosol droplets.
Severe cases can lead to the need for ventilation and can cause death.
Ebola virus
According to WHO data, “The average fatality rate from Ebola virus disease (EVD) is around 50%. The fatality rates have ranged from 25% to 90% in previous outbreaks ”. As of now, vaccines have been developed to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.
HIV AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is a life-threatening disease for which there is no cure. However, due to advances in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care, HIV infection has become a manageable medical condition.
Influenza (the flu)
The World Health Organization says that annual influenza epidemics cause between 3 and 5 million cases of serious illness and between 250,000 and 500,000 deaths. Currently, the alarming increase in the number of influenza and COVID-19 cases has raised concern around the world.
Swine flu (H1N1)
There are four types of seasonal influenza viruses, namely type A, B, C and D. Both types A and B cause “seasonal epidemics” according to the WHO.
The type A influenza virus, the H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu, is one of several strains of the flu virus that emerged in the spring of 2009. The health agency suggests that around 151,700-575,400 people worldwide the world died from infection with the pdm09 (H1N1) virus during the first year the virus circulated.
Will there be more in the future?
Related Notes:
Mild COVID patients are at higher risk of heart damage
Finally! Mexico leaves the red list for risk of COVID of the Kingdom …
NATURE: Why didn’t COVID vaccines win a Nobel Prize in science this year?