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Viral Diseases

26 June 2024

Cold, fever, cough, runny nose and a host of other symptoms are common among infants and children, especially in the winter. These are usually viral diseases caused by different viruses that disappear after several days, such as various respiratory tract infections. Alongside these, there are also serious viral diseases, such as most childhood diseases (like measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox).

There are several ways to contract viruses, the main ones are:

  • Through the air: from the cough or sneeze of a sick person.
  • Contaminated surfaces: coming into contact with surfaces that have residual infectious particles from a person who is sick.
  • Direct contact with sores and discharge: for instance, diseases such as herpes.

Possible complications

As specified, most viral diseases disappear on their own within several days, but various medical complications may develop, such as pneumonia or ear infections.

Warning signs that require immediate medical attention:

  • Chest pain or shortness of breath that manifests as rapid breathing.
  • Worsening headaches.
  • Severe or persistent vomiting.
  • Abnormal drowsiness or unresponsiveness (apathy)
  • Failure to drink enough, to the point of dehydration.
  • Urinary retention or tearless crying.

Diagnosis and treatment

Viral diseases are, for the most part, clinically diagnosed based on the patient’s complaints and findings from the physical examination. Treatment is generally supportive, such as medication to lower the body temperature and to relieve pain. It is important to remember that antibiotics are considered ineffective in the treatment of viral diseases.

In cases when the disease is not going away, additional tests, such as blood tests and imaging tests, may be required.

Prevention

  • Vaccines: many viral diseases can be prevented by getting vaccinated on time.
  • Washing hands: make sure to maintain hygiene and wash hands with soap and water.
  • Home ventilation: open windows and allow fresh air from the outside to enter.
  • Staying home: when patients remain at home to rest and do not pose a danger to the environment.

Every parent is probably familiar with the phenomenon: the child suffers from a cold with a runny nose or cough, occasionally accompanied by fever that lasts for several days, followed by a visit to the doctor who diagnoses a viral disease that is expected to disappear without special treatment. Despite our frustration when told that "it is viral" and there is no need for treatment, we should remember that most infectious diseases in children are caused by viruses. It is also important to know that antibiotics are considered ineffective against viruses but only act against bacterial infections. Unnecessarily taking antibiotics for a virus may result in the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Types of viral diseases

The viruses that cause diseases are numerous and diverse – from mild diseases that disappear within several days to life-threatening or chronic diseases. Viruses can be divided into several groups:

  • 1
    Respiratory viruses

    Such as the flu, Covid-19, rhinovirus and RSV. These viruses largely cause a cold, runny nose and cough.

  • 2
    Viruses of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach virus)

    Such as enterovirus, rotavirus. These viruses largely cause vomiting and diarrhea.

  • 3
    Viruses that cause rash

    Such as chickenpox, rubella, measles, German measles, hand foot and mouth disease (largely caused by the Coxsackie virus). These viruses are generally accompanied by fever and some may result in complications but it is important to know that these complications can be prevented by a vaccine.

  • 4
    Viruses that cause hepatitis

    Such as hepatitis A and hepatitis B. These viruses generally cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin). It is important to mention that morbidity can be prevented by a vaccine.

  • 5
    Sexually transmitted viruses

    Such as papilloma, which increases the chance of cervical cancer and HIV, which causes the immune system to fail.

Contraction of a viral disease

Viral diseases can be contracted in several ways:

  • Through the air
  • Contaminated surface
  • Contact with sores and discharge
  • Mosquito bite
  • Sexual contact
  • Contact with infected blood
  • During pregnancy
  • Through the air: most viral diseases of the respiratory tract are spread by drops of saliva that are sprayed into the air from the respiratory tract of a sick person, as a result of coughing or sneezing.
  • Contaminated surface: people may contract viruses by touching a surface that has infectious particles left behind by a sick person (for example, shaking hands, touching various objects or door handles) and then inserting the hand into the mouth.
  • Contact with sores and discharge: skin viral diseases, such as herpes, are spread through contact with skin sores and discharges.
  • Mosquito bite: mosquitos can be carriers of viruses, and a mosquito bite can transmit diseases, such as West Nile disease, to human beings.
  • Sexual contact: viruses such as AIDS and papilloma are transmitted through direct sexual contact or through contact of hands with affected areas and subsequently transmitting the viruses to other areas.
  • Contact with infected blood: people may contract viruses such as AIDS and hepatitis by coming into contact with infected blood.
  • During pregnancy: a pregnant woman can transmit viruses, for example, CMV, which may seriously harm the fetus.

Possible complications

As previously mentioned, most viral diseases disappear on their own within several days but various medical complications, such as pneumonia or ear infections, may occur. If any of the warning symptoms appear, it is important that you request a medical examination.

Warning signs that require immediate medical attention:
  • Chest pain or shortness of breath that manifests as rapid breathing.
  • Worsening headaches.
  • Severe or persistent vomiting.
  • Abnormal drowsiness or unresponsiveness (apathy)
  • Failure to drink enough fluid to the point of dehydration.
  • Urinary retention or tearless crying.

Diagnosis

Viral diseases are, for the most part, clinically diagnosed based on the patient’s complaints and findings from the physical examination performed by a physician. When the diseases lasts a long time, additional tests may be performed, such as general blood tests, serology tests to detect antibodies to certain viruses (such as EBV and CMV) and an imaging test – a chest x-ray will be performed if pneumonia is suspected, for example

Treatment of viral diseases

Most viral diseases disappear with no special treatment other than palliative care, such as medication to lower fever and for pain relief, saline drops for the nose.
When discussing patients with underlying diseases who are at high risk, antiviral medication that shortens the recovery time, such as Tamiflu, can occasionally help.
In any case, it is important to remember that antibiotics are considered ineffective in treating viral diseases.

Prevention

Although there is no way to completely prevent contracting viral diseases, there are several effective methods that can be used to reduce the risk of contracting the virus and becoming ill:

  • Vaccines: many viral diseases can be prevented through vaccines, such as the flu, Covid-19, rubella, measles, German measles, chicken pox, hepatitis, papilloma and rotavirus. The routine vaccines given in Family Care Centers to infants and children have almost completely eliminated all serious and dangerous viral diseases – to protect children’s health, it is critical that you vaccinate them in accordance with the immunization schedule for children
    At the same time, it is important to remember that some viruses constantly mutate, such as the flu and Covid-19, making it impossible for the body to generate a permanent immunity to them. Therefore, a new vaccine is developed every season against these diseases, based on the strain expected to be common in Israel. There is a need to vaccinate each season to ensure that the body is protected.
  • Washing hands: maintain personal hygiene and wash hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom, after coming into contact with discharge, after coughing and sneezing, before meals and before coming into contact with food. If there is no soap and water available, use gel sanitizers. Apply the gel to the hand thoroughly and wait for the hands to dry.
  • Home ventilation: open windows to air out the rooms of the house and to allow fresh air to enter.
  • Staying home: sick people should stay at home and not endanger the environment. Parents should not send children who do not feel well to school.

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