Viral diseases

Communicable (infectious) diseaseViral diseasesBacterial diseasesFungal and protist diseasesHuman defence systemsVaccinationAntibiotics and painkillersThe discovery and development of drugsMonoclonal antibodiesPlant diseasePlant disease detection

Measles

Infects: Humans

Symptoms: Fever and a red skin rash. Can be fatal if complications arise.

Treatment/control: None, but most young children are vaccinated against measles.

Spread by: Inhalation of droplets from sneezes and coughs.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Infects: Humans

Symptoms: Initially causes flu-like symptoms (sneezing, coughing, fever). Unless successfully controlled the virus attacks the body’s immune cells. Late-stage HIV infection, or AIDS, occurs when the body's immune system becomes so badly damaged it can no longer deal with other infections or cancers.

Treatment/control: Antiretroviral drugs are used to slow the reproduction of HIV, but there is no vaccine and no cure.

Spread by: Sexual contact or exchange of body fluids, such as blood, occurs when drug users share needles.

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)

Infects: many plants, including tomatoes.

Symptoms: Gives a distinctive ‘mosaic’ pattern of discolouration on the leaves which affects the growth of the plant due to lack of photosynthesis.

Treatment/control: None, but some resistant crop varieties are available.

Spread by: Contact between diseased plant material and healthy plants.

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