Virologist

When it comes to medicine, not everyone knows who a virologist is and what they are. A virologist is a specialist who studies viruses, the smallest intracellular parasites that cause diseases in plants, animals and humans.

Virologists mainly work in laboratories equipped with modern equipment that allows them to observe biochemical, biophysical and radiobiological processes. Their arsenal includes such attributes as electron microscopy and various computing equipment. A virologist's place of work can also be a vivarium (an office or department at a medical and biological institution), an experimental station, or testing grounds that organize virological expeditions.

When should you see a virologist?

Very often, the patient himself can determine that he is beginning to have symptoms of, most likely, a viral disease. When the first signs appear, it is necessary to make an appointment with a virologist.

When should you see a virologist? Here are some symptoms that you should not ignore:

• If you develop a fever;
• The appearance of various rashes on the mucous membrane and skin;
• Frequent headaches;
• The occurrence of muscle pain;
• Insomnia;
• Upset stomach (diarrhea);
• Sharp mood swings (from depression to emotional arousal);
• Dry mouth;
• Pain in the lymph nodes;
• Yellowing of the skin and sclera (the white around the lens of the eye).

It is very important to consult a virologist if you have been to an exotic country and upon returning you have developed one of the symptoms listed above.

What tests should be taken when visiting a virologist?

Another common question is: What tests should be taken when visiting a virologist?

Here are the main ones:

• HIV anti-HIV 1/2;
• Herpes simplex virus (anti-HSV 1 type IgG, anti-HSV 2 type IgG, anti-HSV 1,2 type IgG, anti-HSV 1,2 type IgM, anti-HSV 6 type IgG);
• Rubella virus (anti-Rubella IgG, anti-Rubella IgM);
• Candidiasis (thrush) - (Antibodies to Candida IgG);
• Varicella-zoster virus (anti-VZV IgG, anti-VZV IgM);
• Epstein-Barr virus (anti-EBV-VCA IgG, anti-EBV-VCA IgM, anti-EBV-EBNA IgG, anti-EBV-EA IgG (quantity));
• Hepatitis A (HAV);
• Hepatitis B (HBV);
• Hepatitis C (НСV);
• Hepatitis D (HDV);
• Hepatitis G (HGV).

What diagnostic methods does a virologist use?

During an appointment with a virologist, the patient's entire medical history is collected, a thorough examination of the patient is carried out, and a list of all necessary tests is written out.

A virologist usually performs:

• A percutaneous (blind) liver biopsy is a diagnostic procedure that involves obtaining a tissue sample from the liver. It is then examined under a microscope.
• Puncture percutaneous (targeted) liver biopsy;
• Laparoscopic examination of the liver is a more complex instrumental diagnostic.

What does a virologist do?

What does a virologist do that makes his profession so necessary? A virologist can work in one of the following areas:

1. studies in detail such sciences as molecular biology and genetics, physics and chemistry of macromolecules;
2. research medicine and pharmacology, and fight diseases by producing antiviral vaccines.

The main responsibilities of a virologist include:

• conduct various types of laboratory virological studies;
• ensure the correct use of analytical and diagnostic methods;
• participate in the development and implementation of new research methods and equipment in medicine;
• mandatory consultation with doctors of other specialties regarding virology;
• making recommendations on such rules as the collection and delivery of materials to the virus laboratory;
• participates in the interpretation of laboratory research results;
• implementation of measures regarding the conduct of internal laboratory and external quality control of research;
• control over the correctness of diagnostic procedures, use of equipment, reactive substances, and safety rules.

What diseases does a virologist treat?

Also, the question often arises: what diseases does a virologist treat?

The main diseases that fall within the competence of this specialist include:

• Rabies;
• Warts;
• Spring-summer tick-borne encephalitis;
• Herpes virus;
• Rubella virus;
• Flu;
• Hepatitis A, B, C, D, G;
• Infectious jaundice;
• Measles;
• Smallpox;
• Papillomavirus (the main symptom is the growth and change of skin tissue);
• Epidemic mumps (an acute infectious disease that affects glandular organs).

From the list provided, we can conclude that a virologist treats diseases that are caused by infection and the main pathogens of which are viruses.

Advice from a virologist

If we consider the advice of a virologist, which warns against viral diseases that are transmitted sexually, and thus reduces the risk of infection, they are as follows:

1. Take all precautions when it comes to sexual intercourse. This will help prevent contracting a viral infection such as genital herpes.
2. Practice safe sex – confidence in your partner and their health is one of the main factors that helps reduce the risk of disease.
3. It is recommended to use a condom during sexual intercourse. It provides good protection against sexually transmitted diseases, especially infectious ones.

Take precautions and you won't need a virologist!

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