Viiruslikud

Viiruslikud is a Latvian term that translates to "viral" in English. It refers to anything pertaining to or caused by viruses. Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that can only replicate inside the living cells of other organisms. They can infect all types of life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms including bacteria and archaea.

In the context of health, viiruslikud refers to viral infections. These are illnesses caused by the invasion of a virus into the body. Examples of common viral infections include the common cold, influenza, chickenpox, measles, and more serious conditions like HIV/AIDS and COVID-19. Viral infections can spread through various routes, such as direct contact with an infected person, airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing, contaminated food or water, or insect bites.

The study of viruses is called virology, and it is a subfield of microbiology. Virologists investigate the structure, replication, and behavior of viruses, as well as the diseases they cause and methods for their prevention and treatment. Unlike bacteria, viruses are not considered living organisms because they lack the ability to reproduce independently and do not possess cellular structures. They hijack the host cell's machinery to make copies of themselves.