VIRUSES

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

(a) Express understanding that viruses have characteristics similar to other living
organisms and key differences.
(b)Show understanding of the symptoms, transmission and prevention of different
viruses: HIV, Ebola, Hepatitis and Cassava mosaic.

Key Words
• Virus
• HIV
• Ebola
• Hepatitis B
• Cassava mosaic
• Capsid
• Signs and Symptoms
• Transmission
• Vaccine

INTRODUCTION
Viruses are the smallest organisms. They are much smaller than bacteria (about 50 times
smaller) and can only be seen using an electron microscope. Viruses possess features
of both living and non-living things. This makes it difficult to classify them under any of
the five kingdoms.

Meaning of a virus
A virus is a very small microscopic biological particle that infects cells. It is made of genetic
material inside a protein coating.
A virus is able to multiply only when it is within the living cells of a host organism but when
outside living cells, they exist as particles. Apart from reproduction, viruses do not show
other characteristics of living things such as growth, feeding and excretion.

Characteristics of Viruses
1. Viruses are very small.
2. They only reproduce when they are inside a living cell, using materials provided by
the host cell.
3. They cause diseases to living organisms.
4. They crystallise when removed from living cells.
5. They lack cell components.

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In the next activity, you are going to identify similar characteristics of viruses to other living
organisms and those that are different that lead viruses to be considered a non-living
organism.

Activity (a): Finding out the common characteristics of viruses and the diseases
they cause.

Key question: What are the common characteristics of viruses and the diseases they
cause?
What you need:
• Biology textbooks, the internet and resource persons.
What to do: Work in groups
1. Use a textbook, resource persons or the internet to research about the diseases in
your community caused by viruses.
2. Find out the features and characteristics of viruses that qualify them to be considered
as;
(i) Living things.
(ii) Non-living things.
3. Give reasons why viruses are considered living and non-living organisms.
4. Present you findings to the rest of the class.

Discussion

1. Some of the diseases in our community caused by viruses include:

• Flu
• AIDS
• Hepatitis B
• Covid-19
• Ebola etc
2. (i) Viruses are considered to be living things due to the following features.
▪ Ability to multiply inside a host plant or animal cell.
▪ Ability to cause diseases.
▪ Possession of nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA), protein envelope and enzyme.
▪ Ability to undergo mutation.

(ii) Viruses are considered to be non-living things due to the following features.
➢ They have no cellular organelles such as cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus.
➢ They cannot reproduce by themselves.
➢ They can be crystallised when outside the host cell.
➢ They do not carry out metabolism.
➢ They lack a fixed shape.
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From activity 1, you realise that viruses are considered non-living because they cannot
survive for long in the extra cellular environment in the absence of their host cells. This is
because, viruses are unable to replicate until they enter a living cell as its host.

Viruses are considered living organisms because their structures contain or have
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA) genetic materials that make them
survive and replicate within their environment. They however, survive for long only when
they are in living host cells. Viruses also have the ability to mutate into new forms of genes
but within the cells of their host organism.

COMMON VIRUSES (symptoms, transmission and prevention of viral diseases)

A viral disease is any condition that is caused by a virus. When a virus enters a body of
an organism, it multiplies and weakens the body. Diseases happen in an infected person
when the cells in the body are damaged as a result of infection. Hence, signs and
symptoms of an illness appear.
In the next activities, you are going to look at different viral diseases in humans which
include: HIV, Ebola, Hepatitis B and Covid-19, how they are transmitted, their symptoms
and how they are prevented in humans.

HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV/ AIDS)

This virus is one of the major problems faced in communities. In 2018, 1.4 million people
were reported to be living with HIV in Uganda. The virus is found in human blood, sexual
fluids and breast milk. The virus weakens the immune system, so the body finds a hard
time fighting off other common germs, viruses, fungi and other diseases such as
tuberculosis (TB). HIV virus causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
disease, which is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

Activity (b) : Finding out the symptoms, ways of transmission and prevention
measures of HIV/AIDS.

Key question: How is HIV/AIDS transmitted? What are the signs, symptoms and modes
of prevention of HIV/AIDS?
What you need:
• Biology textbooks, the internet and resource persons.
What to do: Work in groups
1. Compose a short drama of about 15 minutes to sensitise people on the symptoms,
transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS.
2. Present your drama or findings to the rest of the class.

Discussion

Transmission of HIV virus:

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➢ Having unprotected sex with an infected person.
➢ Re-use of infected needles or injections,
➢ Blood transfusion from an infected person and
➢ From an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

Symptoms of HIV and AIDS:

• Weight loss
• Fever or night sweats.
• Fatigue.
• Swollen lymph nodes especially of the armpits, neck and groin.
• Recurrent infections by other diseases.

Prevention and control of HIV and AIDS

➢ The most effective way to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS is abstinence from sex
more especially among people who are not in a permanent adult relationship like
marriage.
➢ The use of condoms is another means of prevention to AIDS disease to those in
relationships and faithful relationships among the married.
➢ Screening blood and organs before transfusion and transplanting.
➢ Using sterilised instruments during surgery, circumcision and delivery.
➢ Not sharing surgical instruments, toothbrushes and shaving blades or needles.
➢ Expectant mothers should attend pre-natal clinic where they can be treated to prevent
mother-to-child transmission.

NOTE:
1. Today, there is no scientifically known cure for AIDS but there are drugs that can make
an infected person’s immunity stronger allowing him/her to live a longer and productive
life.
2. HIV does not live in saliva, tears, urine or sweat. Therefore, it cannot be spread by
casual contact with infected people’s body fluids.

EBOLA VIRUS
Ebola is a rare and deadly viral disease most commonly affecting people and non-human
primates (monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees). Ebola disease is caused by Ebola virus.
The disease is also known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF) because it causes
internal bleeding by damaging blood vessels in the body. The disease is highly infectious
and can kill up to 90 percent of the people who get it.

NOTE: The Ebola virus is named after Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa, where it was first detected. The virus was first discovered
in 1976 where 318 people were infected and caused 280 deaths, with a mortality rate of
88%. A simultaneous outbreak occurred in Sudan with 53% of the infected dying.

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Activity (c): Identifying symptoms, ways of transmission and prevention measures
of Ebola.

Key question: What are the symptoms, ways of transmission and prevention of
measures of Ebola virus disease?
What you need:
• Biology textbooks, the internet and resource persons.
What to do: Work in groups
1. In groups, research and discuss Ebola virus disease to find out and note down the;
(a) Symptoms
(b) Transmission mechanisms
(c) Prevention measures of the disease in humans.
2. Present your findings to the rest of the class.

Discussion

Transmission or spread of Ebola

Researchers think wild animals are the source of Ebola which they later transmit to human
beings. The virus spreads in three ways;
1. Body contact with fluids from an infected person for example, through kissing or
sharing of drinks and getting into contact with the sputum droplets from an infected
person or blood.
2. Contact with infected animals usually through preparing, cooking or eating them.
3. Contact with items or environments contaminated with body fluids from an infected
person. These may include soiled clothing, bedding, gloves, protective equipment and
medical waste.

Signs and symptoms of Ebola

1. In human beings, it causes severe bleeding through body openings like from the nose,
mouth and ears.
2. Fever
3. Vomiting blood
4. Headache
5. Body weakness
6. Fatigue and muscle pain
7. Sore throat.
8. Organ failure which can lead to death.

Prevention and control of Ebola

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(i) Viral diseases such as Ebola have no cure or treatment available. However, there are
some drugs that have just been approved for treating it. Hence, more reason to take
precautions and not get infected.
(ii) Effective control measures of Ebola include using protective equipment, tracking down
possible new cases and providing education to the public to reduce stigma.
(iii)Also to safeguard your community from contracting Ebola virus disease is by
encouraging members of the community:
✓ Not to eat bush meat.
✓ To avoid funeral or burial practices that involve touching the body of someone
who died from Ebola virus disease.
✓ Avoid touching items that may have been touched or used by infected persons.
✓ Avoid contact with blood and body fluids of people suffering from Ebola virus
disease.

Data on Ebola disease in Africa

A total of 28,616 cases of Ebola infections have been recorded in Africa with 11,310
deaths reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. More additional cases of deaths
occurred when the outbreak spread outside these three countries.
World Health Organisation (WHO) platform declared the world’s second largest Ebola
outbreak on 3rd July 2020 as 2,299 people died of Ebola. New outbreaks of Ebola have
been coming up in the Democratic Republic of Congo given the existence of the virus
man animal reservoir in many parts of the country. As of 18th November 2020, Democratic
Republic of Congo declared 130 cases including 55 deaths reported from 13 health
zones.

HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis is a term used to describe the inflammation or swelling and damage of the liver.
It is usually caused by a viral infection. There are three common types of hepatitis, that
is, Hepatitis B virus which causes a serious liver infection but is easily prevented by a
vaccine. Hepatitis C virus which attacks the liver leading to its swelling and Hepatitis A
which is the major cause of liver cancer. Hepatitis can also be caused by a heavy alcohol
drinking, drug abuse, other infections and toxins.

Activity (d) : Identifying symptoms, ways of transmission and prevention

measures of Hepatitis.

Key question: What are the symptoms, ways of transmission and prevention measures
of Hepatitis B?
What you need:

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 • Guiding instructions, Biology textbooks or internet and resource persons.
What to do: Work in groups
1. In groups, visit a nearby health facility and interview healthcare providers at the facility
about hepatitis B.
2. From the interview or talk, identify the symptoms, transmission and prevention
measures of Hepatitis B and note them down.
3. Present your drama or findings to the rest of the class.

Discussion

Transmission of Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus (HAB) is found in blood and other body fluids such as sweat or saliva. It
is spread by;
1. Contact with blood or other body fluids from an infected person.
2. Having unprotected sex with an infected person.
3. Sharing needles, syringes and other surgical equipment with an infected person.
4. From an infected mother to her baby during child birth.
5. Sharing items such as toothbrushes, razors or medical equipment (like a glucose
monitor) with an infected person.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B include:

➢ Yellowing of the eyes and skin (Juandice).
➢ Abdominal pains
➢ Dark urine.
➢ Fever
➢ Joint pain
➢ Loss of appetite
➢ Nausea and vomiting.
➢ Fatigue and general body weakness.
➢ Diarrhoea
➢ Pale, grey-coloured faeces.
➢ In chronic cases, liver failure or cancer.

Prevention and control

➢ Hepatitis B is preventable through vaccination.
➢ Not sharing needles, toothbrushes or manicure equipment.
➢ Sterilizing any skin piercing equipment.
➢ Testing expectant mothers for hepatitis. Infants born to infected mothers should be
given hepatitis vaccines within 12 hours of birth.
➢ Being faithful or practising safe sex by using condoms.

COVID-19 DISEASE
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Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is a new disease affecting human beings which was
discovered in December 2019 in china. It was declared a global pandemic in March 2020
by the World Health Organisation (WHO). COVID-19 is caused by a large family of viruses
known as corona viruses which were initially known to exist only in animals. Corona
viruses cause infections in the nose, throat and lungs.

How corona virus can be transmitted

1. Respiratory infections can be transmitted through droplets which occurs when a
person is in a close contact with someone who has respiratory symptoms such as
coughing or sneezing. Therefore, it is at a risk of having the nose, mouth or eyes
exposed to potentially infective respiratory droplets.
2. Close, prolonged personal or direct contact with infected people and with surfaces or
objects used by the infected person i. e stethoscope or thermometer.
3. Touching your mouth, nose or eyes with hands that have been exposed to the virus
and have not been washed.

NOTE: Air borne transmission is different from droplet transmission.

Common signs and symptoms of COVID-19

❖ Fever
❖ Dry cough
❖ Body fatigue/ tiredness
❖ Aches i. e headache and pains i. e sore throat
❖ Loss of taste or smell
❖ Diarrhoea

The serious symptoms of Covid-19 viral disease include;

❖ Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath.
❖ Chest pain or pressure
❖ Loss of speech or movement.

In case of the serious symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. On average, it takes
5-6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show. However,
it can take up to 14 days.

Prevention/ control of Corona virus

1. Hand washing frequently with water and soap or use sanitizers with 70% alcohol
content.
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a mask when you move in public places.
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3. Maintaining social distance of at least 2 metres and avoid close contact with people.
4. Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow cup and disposing of the tissue
properly after use.
5. Refraining from touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
6. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces regularly.
7. Isolating and quarantining confirmed cases of the disease.

CASSAVA MOSAIC VIRUS

Cassava is a root crop. Its roots are a major source of dietary starch in most African
countries. The tubers are eaten fresh and in various forms of processed food. Cassava
can be attacked by many diseases, among them, cassava mosaic disease, which is
caused by a cassava mosaic virus.
Cassava mosaic disease is usually transmitted from one plant to another by the white fly.
This disease is most severe and widespread, limiting production of the crop.

Activity (e) : Identifying signs and symptoms, ways of transmission and prevention
measures of Cassava mosaic virus.

Key question: How can the signs and symptom, ways of transmission and prevention
measures of cassava mosaic virus be identified?
What you need:
• A garden, chart with pictures of effect of viral infection, Biology textbooks, the
internet and resource persons.

What to do: Work in groups

1. Visit a nearby agricultural facility and interview the agricultural specialist about the
signs, transmission and prevention of cassava mosaic.
2. Use a textbook, resource person or internet to research about the signs, transmission
and prevention of cassava mosaic.
(a) Discuss signs or symptoms of a crop with cassava mosaic disease.
(b) Research using different resources how the cassava mosaic disease is
transmitted.
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 (c) Find out the ways or strategies used to prevent transmission of cassava mosaic
virus.
3. Present your findings to the rest of the class.

Discussion

Transmission of cassava mosaic

i) Cassava mosaic diseases is primarily spread through movements of infected stem
cuttings during propagation. This leads to introduction of the disease in new areas and
occurrence of the disease where there are no white flies.
ii) It is also spread from one plant to another within and between fields through activities
of the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci.

Symptoms of cassava mosaic

(i) An infected plant shows severe stunting and distortion of leaves compared to a healthy
plant.
(ii) The cassava leaves change their colour to light green or yellow with some wrinkling.
(iii)The leaf stalk is recognized with black spots like those on the stem.
(iv) Cassava mosaic also causes general stunted growth of the plant.

Prevention of cassava mosaic

1. Cassava mosaic disease can be prevented by the use of cuttings which have not been
attacked by the virus. For example, use of treated cuttings.
2. Farmers are advised to plant varieties which are resistant to the disease.
3. Discard infected plants by burning them.
4. Maintaining a healthy farm land by identifying unhealthy plants and immediately
removing them.
5. Avoid planting cassava if neighbouring fields have virus-infected cassava as it can be
transmitted to your cassava by white flies.
6. Avoid planting alternative host of the virus such as castor bean and tomatoes adjacent
to cassava.

Activity (f) : Comparing the characteristics of a virus and bacterium.

What you need:

• Chart comparing viruses to bacteria, pen or pencil, Biology textbooks, notebook and
internet.

What to do: Study the chart provided, and answer the questions that follow.

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1. Compare viruses and bacteria using the information in the chart.
2. Read, discuss and write down short notes on common diseases caused by bacteria
and viruses in humans, plants and other animals.
3. Present your findings to the rest of the class.

Chapter Summary
In this chapter, you have learnt:
• A virus is a tiny particle that can be seen only by using electron microscope.
• Animal viral diseases include: HIV, Ebola, Hepatitis B, Covid-19 and plant viral
diseases such as cassava mosaic.
• The symptoms, transmission and prevention of the viral diseases.

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