Everyone has had a
cold before, but do you know what it really is? It is a virus. Non-living
particles that can infect living cells then will spread to a new one. Almost
like a zombie, if you think about. Viruses can be very dangerous, but also can
be helpful.
First of all, viruses are very tiny non-living organisms that infect
living things cells (What is a Virus).
The virus will kill off the cell and spread to another one and so on. The
reason you become sick is that your body is trying to get rid of the virus by
coughing and sneezing. That is also why everyone tells you to cover your mouth
or nose because that is basically bacteria from the virus.
Unquestionably, the most common virus that everyone knows of is the
common cold. There are many reasons why the common cold is so common, but the
easiest way to catch the common cold is to inhale it through the nose or mouth (What a Common Cold is). The common cold is a
virus commonly found in the nose, but it gets worse it can spread to your ears,
sinuses, and your bronchial tubes. An easy way to avoid a cold is to wash your
hands often and not to touch your face, because the virus could be sitting
right on your hand.
On the other hand, the flu is another one of the known viruses in the
world. This one is a little more serious than the common cold, because it
affects your nose, throat and lungs (Seasonal
Influenza). The flu is also contagious. Ways to prevent the flu is about
the same as the common cold except try to not come in close contact with another
sick person, the flu is contagious. If you want to have absolutely no chance of
getting the flu, then a flu shot is your best bet (CDC).
Nevertheless, viruses can be very harmful in many different ways, but
they also can be helpful. We can research and study them and use them to
advance farther into science (Virus Uses).
They are also very helpful to the study of molecular and cellular biology.
In conclusion, I believe that it is amazing what these
tiny particle can do even though they aren’t even living. I only told you about
two viruses out of the millions of viruses. Just remember to wash your hands
and stay virus free.
CDC. 25
April 2012 <http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm>.
Seasonal Influenza. 18 April 2012
<http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm>.
Virus Uses. 20 April 2012
<http://www.news-medical.net/health/Virus-Uses.aspx>.
What a Common Cold is. 2007. 18 April 2012
<http://www.commoncold.org/undrstn2.htm>.
What is a Virus. 18 April 2012
<http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-a-Virus.aspx>.
What is a VIRUS? 2012. 20 April 2012
<http://www.worsleyschool.net/science/files/virus/page.html>.
