In recent days, there has been a monkey flight in the United States, which has attracted widespread concern. These monkeys are used for medical research, and their flight brings together a number of potential risks, particularly in terms of the spread of the virus. It also provides us with an opportunity to learn more about the virus, to explore together what it is and how it is different from bacteria and how we should prevent it.
The virus is a very small group of noncellular microorganisms. Their structure is simple and consists mainly of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) and protein casings, and some viruses may have covering membranes outside the protein casing. The virus itself does not have a metabolic system and must be parasitic within the living cell, relying on the host cell for life activities, such as the reproduction of offspring. Once removed from the host cell, the virus is only a large chemical molecule with no living activity.
Unlike viruses, bacteria are single-cell organisms, with basic structures such as cellular walls, membranes and cells, with a relatively independent metabolic system that can survive and reproduce in a variety of environments, including soil, water and air, and in some cases can be photocooperative or synthesized to produce nutrients.
There is also a clear difference in the cause of illness. When infected with the human body, the virus tends to intrude into specific cells, using cell mechanisms to reproduce itself in large quantities, disrupt the normal functioning of the host cell and cause various diseases. For example, influenza virus attacks on upper-respiratory skin cells, leading to heat, cough, inefficiency, etc.; HIV attacks on CD4+T lymphocytes in the human immune system, leading to a gradual loss of immune function in the organism. Bacteria cause disease, usually because they produce toxins in humans during growth and reproduction, or because they directly attack tissue organs and cause inflammation reactions. Tetanus toxins such as Tetanus Bacillus can cause muscle spasms, and pneumococcus can cause pneumonia.
Understanding the differences between viruses and bacteria, we also need different strategies for prevention.
The first step in the prevention of viral infections is vaccination. Vaccines can stimulate the human immune system to produce virus-specific antibodies, which can be quickly identified and neutralized when a real virus invades, thus protecting the human body from infection. For example, the large-scale global vaccination of the new corona vaccine has been effective in reducing the incidence of severe diseases and deaths. Secondly, attention should be paid to hygiene. During the influenza-epidemic season, hand-washing, the use of soap and mobile water, in accordance with the correct hand-washing methods, and the careful cleaning of various parts of the hand can remove the virus contaminated with the hand. The use of paper towels or elbows to cover noses and noses during cough or sneezing reduces the risk of foam spreading the virus. Moreover, maintaining social distance and wearing masks are important measures to prevent the transmission of the virus, especially in densely populated locations, which can effectively block the transmission of the virus. Increased indoor ventilation and air freshness also helped to reduce the concentration of the virus in air.
Good sanitation is essential for the prevention of bacterial infections. The living environment is regularly cleaned and disinfected, especially in the kitchens and bathrooms, which are susceptible to bacteria. Care is taken to ensure that food is healthy, that uncooked food is not eaten and that diseases such as food poisoning are prevented from being contaminated with bacteria. In the treatment of wounds, if the wounds are not carefully sustained, the wounds should be cleaned and disinfected in a timely manner to avoid bacterial inflammation, such as tetanus.
Increased self-immunization is essential, both in the face of viruses and bacteria. Maintaining a balanced diet with enough nutrients, such as proteins, vitamins and minerals; moderate exercise to promote blood circulation and metabolism; and ensuring adequate sleep and adequate rest and recovery of the body will help to increase our body ‘ s immunity and give us greater resistance to the pathogen.
