1. An Introduction

2. What is a virus?  People are generally familiar with viruses, because they know that viruses make them sick.  Do you know what a virus actually is?  Viruses can take many different forms.

7. Virus Basics  A virus is an infectious particle made only of one strand of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat.  There is not much to a virus, but they can have a major impact on the health of humans, animals, and plants too.

8. What Do Viruses Do?  Viruses cause many illnesses for humans and other forms of life, and are responsible for a great number of disease and maladies.  Viruses invade the cells of other living organisms, turning them into miniature virus-making factories.

9. Diseases Caused by Viruses  The nature of the disease caused by a virus is based on the type of tissue infected by the virus.  The severity of the illness is determined by the inoculum size – the number of microorganisms introduced into the host, as well as other factors.  The immune system of the host also determines the severity and duration of the illness.

10. Common & Well Known Viral Diseases  AIDS  AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

11. Common & Well Known Viral Diseases  Cold Sores and Genital Herpes – caused by the Herpes Simplex virus.  That’s right – they’re the same virus.

12. Common & Well Known Viral Diseases  Hepatitis, caused by the Hepatitis A, B, & C viruses.

13. Some Videos On Viruses...  This guy has an interesting idea about what viruses are, and also a lot of good information for an introduction:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBIZI 4s5NiE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBIZI 4s5NiE  How a virus invades your body, a very cool graphic representation:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpj0e mEGShQ&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpj0e mEGShQ&feature=related