How a non-living organism is causing a global pandemic
Viral infections are dreaded around the world as they have the reputation of being the most dangerous diseases – think influenza, rabies, Ebola and smallpox.
And now we have a new viral infection doing the rounds globally – COVID-19.
Did you know that viruses are, in fact, non-living? Why are they called non-living? What differentiated a living organism from a non-living entity?
The answer to this question is not straightforward. In essence, this debacle has had scientists scratching their heads since viruses attained their terminology back in 1898.
We speak to an expert and here’s all that you need to know about these pathogens raising worldwide panic.
British Herald had an interesting telephonic conversation with Dr Jijo P Ulahannan, a proficient writer and blogger for different topics on science and technology, TED Conference Fellow as well as Assistant Professor of Physics for the Kerala State Government. We find out more about this “non-living” entity that currently has the world on edge.
Ulahannan had the following arguments to elaborate on why he, like most other people, believes that viruses are non-living entities.
- Viruses, unlike other living organisms which possess cells, only possess a genetic material (either DNA or RNA). They do not have a nucleus, cytoplasm or organelles. The virion has a protective shell, and a few viruses may have a lipid bilayer enveloping them.
- Viruses cannot reproduce by themselves. They need to enter a host organism (like humans) and hijack the host’s cellular mechanisms as they do not have tools otherwise to copy their genes and multiply. To put it simply, viruses replicate, not reproduce.
- Viruses do not have metabolic processes in place and cannot consume energy to become larger or complex. They can only manipulate host cells to replicate, but they do not grow. We all remember that “Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell” but alas, a virus does not have (or need) a powerhouse of the sort.
Basically, all of this means that a virus can drift around indefinitely until it comes into contact with the right kind of host cell to bind to and infect where it creates more copies and replicates.
So, what does all of this mean about the COVID-19 outbreak?
You will now understand precisely why health establishments are globally emphasising the need to maintain hand hygiene by following a stringent handwashing technique with soap or cleaning with sanitiser.
When outside the body, if a virus comes in contact with soap molecules or alcohol, these attach to the virus’ lipid protective layer, therefore disintegrating it. This is why it is a good idea to sanitise surfaces and wash bodyparts which come into contact with infected individuals and potential carriers of the virus.
Can viruses be treated?
Infections caused by viruses cannot be treated using medication like antibiotics which kill bacteria that are living organisms.
How people recover from a viral infection is when an excellent immune system defeats the virus. The virus responsible for COVID-19 has a particular affinity for lung tissue.
The COVID-19 is potentially fatal for those having low immunity where the body cannot put up a fight against the virus (underlying health conditions, old age) or pulmonary conditions like asthma or tuberculosis.
However, there are a few antiviral drugs which can work against a few viruses. For instance, chickenpox has an antiviral medication called Acyclovir which can reduce symptoms.
Herd Immunity
Closer to home, Patrick Vallance, chief scientific advisor to the U.K. government, had a little something to say about herd immunity.
Herd immunity to the virus needs 60% of the population, roughly 40 million Britons, to be infected in the hope of building up long-term, society-wide resistance to COVID-19. The strategy also focusses on trying to manage which population falls into the 60% bracket. In an ideal scenario, the government wants only those most likely to experience a mild illness to get infected, Vallance says. The problem with this approach is that it is still hazardous. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock says that this was not part of the strategy that the government had in mind.
Some good news and some bad
The good news is that a stringent handwashing practice coupled with not touching your face can keep you relatively safe. And a vaccine against the COVID-19 might be out soon.
The bad news is that viruses can mutate. The virions can interact with animal cells and alter their DNA/RNA, and the same vaccines will no longer work.
So, as stated above: Infections caused by viruses cannot be treated.
But, they can be prevented.
Hence, the advocation of good hygiene practices, self-isolation and advice to affected individuals to quarantine. Health organisations and research institutions all around the world are also working on a vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
Stay safe!