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Viruses and Disease

6 April, 2016 - 17:26

Viruses cause a variety of diseases in animals, including humans, ranging from the common cold to potentially fatal illnesses like meningitis (Figure 17.7). These diseases can be treated by antiviral drugs or by vaccines, but some viruses, such as HIV, are capable of avoiding the immune response and mutating so as to become resistant to antiviral drugs.

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Figure 17.7 Viruses are the cause of dozens of ailments in humans, ranging from mild illnesses to serious diseases.