Infectious Diseases and HIV Conference

Viral infectious diseases are produced by viruses, tiny pathogens that attack and feed on living cells, in order to reproduce, though mostly causing disease.

Viral infectious diseases can affect almost any part of the body so may have a wide variety of symptoms from coughs, minor conditions to devastating and potentially life-threatening diseases.

Viral infections include some of the commonest, such as influenza, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, herpes, and emerging viruses, including Zika, Ebola, and the virus for SARS-CoV-2 responsible for COVID-19. Viruses are transmitted in a variety of modes, including spread through respiratory droplets, direct transmission through contact with infected persons, blood-borne and body fluid routes, and vector-borne routes like mosquito bites.

Incubation periods, symptoms, and disease severity of different viruses depend on the type of virus in concert with the response of the individual's immune system. Influenza might begin with sudden fever and cough accompanied by muscle aches, whereas hepatitis viruses might lead to chronic inflammation in the liver, jaundice, and more complications.

The prevention of viral infections requires vaccination, good hygiene, the use of protective gear such as masks, insect repellents, and other public health measures applied during outbreaks.

Vaccination is one of the most effective prevention methods available for some of the viral infections like measles, influenza, and hepatitis B. However, vaccines have not yet been developed for some of the viruses, for example, HIV, and some of the newly emerging viruses.

In these cases, prevention and early treatment become essential. Drug management of viral infections consists of agents that may suppress or inhibit the replication of the virus itself or could help enhance the body's immunity.

For chronic cases of viral diseases such as HIV, combination antiretroviral therapy has been initiated to control the disease better and improve the quality of life. Research into innovative medicines and vaccines against viruses continues to expand, especially concerning the emerging viruses that are felt to be a great public health concern.

This session will cover the diversity of viral infectious diseases and its modes of transmission, how it presents clinically, strategies for prevention, and treatment and whether physicians ought to know it.

It could educate a patient on how bad it gets when it becomes viral and give them the challenge they need to beat besides, these innovative ways have been made with regards to combating these diseases, from the control of viral outburst and emerging threats worldwide.