6 Types of Diseases Caused by Viruses

A virus is a type of microbe that can exist in any conceivable place in the environment. It is a single-celled microorganism that needs another cell of a living organism to replicate. 

Usually, it enters the body through the mouth, nose, eyes, skin, genitals, or exposed wounds. Then, it invades a healthy cell in your body and multiplies itself. That is how diseases caused by viruses develop in the human body.

Any disease resulting from a viral infection is called viral disease. Not all viral diseases are transmissible, which means they do not spread from direct contact. But many of those are highly contagious such as flu, cold, HIV, etc.

Below are some common viral diseases with their symptoms.

1. Gastrointestinal Diseases

These types of viral diseases affect your digestive system, causing gastroenteritis. In addition, stomach flues are highly contagious, spread through contaminated water and food.

Common Symptoms

• Stomach ache
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea and headache
• Muscle ache
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration

Examples

Names of some diseases caused by viruses in your digestive system are as follows:

• Rotavirus
• Adenovirus
• Astroviral infection
• Norovirus

2. Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory diseases are some of the most common diseases caused by viruses. These are highly contagious and spread through the sneeze droplet in the air. It starts affecting the upper respiratory tract and can escalate to the lower respiratory tract.

Common Symptoms

• Cough and sneeze
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Mild to high fever
• Body and muscle pain

Examples

Below are some names of viral respiratory diseases:

• Common cold
• Flu or influenza
• Infection from Parainfluenza virus
• Adenovirus infection
• SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
• Infection from Human Respiratory Syncytial virus

3. Hepatic Diseases

Hepatitis A, B and C viruses affect the human liver and cause inflammation. The disease can worsen if a patient continues with a poor diet and alcohol intake.

Common Symptoms

• Fever and fatigue
• Stomach ache
• Loss of appetite
• Pale stool
• Abdominal cramps
• Vomiting and jaundice

Examples

Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E are some hepatic diseases caused by the virus in humans.

4. Hemorrhagic Diseases

These viral diseases are acute conditions caused by a damaged cardiovascular system. Hemorrhagic illnesses or fevers can be life-threatening and attack many other organs of your body.

Common Symptoms

• Bleeding from mouth and ear
• High fever and fatigue
• Bleeding in the internal organs
• Body pain and headache
• Bleeding underneath the skin

Examples

Below are some examples of viral hemorrhagic illness:

• Dengue
• Yellow fever
• Lassa fever
• Ebola
• Marburg fever
• Crimean-Congo fever

5. Cutaneous Diseases

Cutaneous diseases constitute another type of diseases caused by viruses that affect the integumentary system or epidermis. It causes skin lesions that may be persisting for a long while.

Common Symptoms

• Flat or raised red spot
• Rough and scaly skin
• Lesions or sores
• Painful or itchy rash
• Skin patches

Examples

The followings are some examples of cutaneous diseases -

• Molluscum contagiosum or water warts
• Genital warts and oral warts
• Painful and itchy genital
• Chickenpox
• Measles

6. Neurologic Diseases

These diseases take place once the virus attacks your central nervous system. It can cause severe damage to your brain and spinal cord. Most of these viral infections are asymptomatic but can have life-threatening consequences.

Common Symptoms

• Fever
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Memory loss
• Problem to coordinate

Examples

Below are some neurological diseases caused by viruses:

• Acute Flaccid Paralysis or Polio
• Viral Encephalitis
• Meningitis
• Rabies