Page 54 - FACOT CHEMICALS - LINEA COMFORT

by different systems (e.g. respiratory, digestive or
uro-genital system) or general (systemic) if it spre-
ads throughout the body. Some types of viruses
can be fought with effective drugs or prevented due
to specific vaccination.

Focus on Covid-19
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a wide family of respira-

tory viruses that can cause mild to moderate dise-
ases, from the common cold to respiratory syndro-
mes such as MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory
Syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome) and
SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome, Seve-
re acute respiratory syndrome) They are called so
due to the crown shaped tips that are present on
their surface. A new coronavirus is a new strain of
coronavirus that has never been previously identi-
Microscopic spore image fied in humans. The human coronaviruses known to
them may give rise to problems through infections, date, common around the world, are seven, some
production of toxins or hyperstimulation of the im-
mune system. Fungal infections can range from re-
latively benign to other dangerous diseases, such
as lung histoplasmosis or infections of the species
Aspergillus in people with impaired immune system.
Fungi can produce hypersensitivity reactions invol-
ving the immune system, such as allergies, asthma
and al-three diseases. All these reactions follow the
inhalation of fungi or related antigens. Especially in
children there was an increase in these reactions,
such as asthma, in many countries.

Viruses

Viruses are extremely small microorganisms, visi-
ble only under the electron microscope, consisting
of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a
protein envelope (capsid) and, often, even in an
outer membrane made of phospholipides (a type of Strain of influenza H3M2 showing Glycoprotein on surface,
fats) and proteins, called pericapside. with spikes of Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase.

Viruses and health risks identified several years ago (the first in the mid-six-

Viruses are not able to reproduce (replicate) in- ties) and some identified in the new millennium. On
dependently, but exclusively within the cells of the January 9, 2020, WHO stated that Chinese health
tissues of the organism, causing their destruction authorities identified a new strain of coronavirus ne-
or, for some particular viruses, transformation into ver first identified in humans, officially classified un-
cancer cells. der the name SARS-CoV-2. The virus is associated
The resistance of viruses in the environment is ex- with an outbreak of cases of pneumonia registered
tremely low, although some viruses (for example, starting December 31, 2019 in the city of Wuhan,
some respiratory viruses) can survive for a long Central China.
time. Viruses can infect people by air, food, throu-
gh sexual intercourse or through vectors (especial-
ly insects); they can cause local symptoms borne

52 53