Common Viral Infections

Humans are constantly coming into contact with all types of viruses. In fact, today, you will find that there are plenty of viruses that can affect humans. And while most of these viruses usually do minimal to moderate damage, others can stricken us severely.

Here are just a few of the common viral infections we may come into contact on a regular basis:

The Common Cold

The common cold is a virus. Each year, practically everyone catches a cold, whether it is a cough, sneezing, runny nose, it is a good chance that it is due to the virus that causes Acute viral rhinopharyngitis.

Influenza

Each year hundreds of millions of people catch the flu. The flu is usually a different strain each year and can evolve from the previous year’s strain or be a new strain that has jumped from an animal that we closely associate with such as chickens or pigs.

Chicken Pox

For a majority of children, one of the viruses that is extremely common is Chicken Pox. The virus is called varicella zoster virus. This virus normally affects children and can cause a skin rash with small open sores called pox marks. While pretty benign in children, for adults that contract the Chicken Pox, this virus can be severe.

Warts

Most people do not know that warts are a virus that affects the skin. Many times people with immuno deficiencies are apt to warts, however, healthy people will usually get a wart or two in their lifetime. In addition to the common skin wart, genital warts is a sexually transmitted virus affecting the sexual organs of a man or woman.

Common Sexual Viruses

Besides genital warts, other types of viruses that are transmitted sexually (through exchange of body fluids when two people are having sex) are Herpes and HIV.

Mononucleosis

More commonly referred to as mono, this virus may be transmitted from one individual to another. However, many are born with this virus present in their system and when a person has low immunity, this virus may flare up.

Cold Sores

Cold sores are another type of common virus called Penciclovir. While it is not associated with side effects common with the flu, it can cause sores around the mouth that are unattractive.