Life cycles of bacteriophages After that a phage usually follows one of two life cycles, lytic (virulent) or lysogenic (temperate). Lytic phages take over the machinery of the cell to make phage components. They then destroy, or lyse, the cell, releasing new phage particles.

During a lytic replication cycle, a phage attaches to a susceptible host bacterium, introduces its genome into the host cell cytoplasm, and utilizes the ribosomes of the host to manufacture its proteins.

The tailed phages have three major components: a capsid where the genome is packed, a tail that serves as a pipe during infection to secure transfer of genome into host cell and a special adhesive system (adsorption apparatus) at the very end of the tail that will recognise the host cell and penetrate its wall.

The reproductive cycle of viruses ranges from 8 hrs (picornaviruses) to more than 72 hrs (some herpesviruses). The virus yields per cell range from more than 100,000 poliovirus particles to several thousand poxvirus particles.

The only life process a virus undergoes independently is reproduction to make copies of itself, which can only happen after they have invaded the cells of another organism. Outside of their host some viruses can still survive, depending on environmental conditions, but their life span is considerably shorter.

The rate of spread of a virus would therefore be limited by how quickly it could replicate in each cell. However, a virus called vaccinia spreads four times faster than what was thought possible.

Humans produce a new generation every 20 years or so; bacteria do it every 20 to 30 minutes, and viruses even faster. Because they reproduce so quickly, microorganisms can assemble in enormous numbers with great variety in their communities.

Viruses spread from person to person mainly through the tiny droplets that are produced when a person carrying the virus coughs or sneezes. Those droplets, whether we can see them or not, may fly and land on a surface.

For most viral infections, treatments can only help with symptoms while you wait for your immune system to fight off the virus. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections. There are antiviral medicines to treat some viral infections. Vaccines can help prevent you from getting many viral diseases.

In humans, viruses that cause disease like cold and flu are spread through bodily fluids, like spit or snot. The virus is so small that it leaves our bodies in these fluids, and can even float through the air in droplets from a sneeze or cough. The virus can enter the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Germs can spread from person to person through:

• the air as droplets or aerosol particles.
• faecal-oral spread.
• blood or other body fluids.
• skin or mucous membrane contact.
• sexual contact.

Healthy ways to strengthen your immune system

1. Don’t smoke.
2. Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Maintain a healthy weight.
5. If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
6. Get adequate sleep.
7. Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.

The most common symptoms to look out for during this stage of a cold are:

1. sore throat.
2. cough.
3. congestion or runny nose.
4. fatigue.
5. aches.
6. chills or low-grade fever.

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• Stage 1: Onset. It’s roughly 1-3 days since you came into contact with a cold virus and your body is starting to show mild symptoms like mild fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, and a sore throat.
• Stage 2: Progression.
• Stage 3: Peak.
• Stage 4: Remission.
• Stage 5: Recovery.

If you seem battle frequent infections, your immune system might be sending you red flags. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology reports that signs of a possible immune deficiency in adults include: Having more than four ear infections in one year. Developing pneumonia twice during a one-year period.

Your body shows signs of a strong immune system pretty often. One example is when you get a mosquito bite. The red, bumpy itch is a sign of your immune system at work. The flu or a cold is a typical example of your body failing to stop the germs/bacteria before they get in.

5 Ways to Boost Your Immune System

1. Maintain a healthy diet. As with most things in your body, a healthy diet is key to a strong immune system.
2. Exercise regularly.
3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
4. Get plenty of sleep.
5. Minimize stress.
6. One last word on supplements.

The four types of microbes that cause illness in people are bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.

Causes of an inflammation

• Pathogens (germs) like bacteria, viruses or fungi.
• External injuries like scrapes or damage through foreign objects (for example a thorn in your finger)
• Effects of chemicals or radiation.