Chapter 15 Viral Infections of the Respiratory Tract and Skin

Chapter Summary and Essay Questions Chapter 15 is the first of two chapters that surveys human viral diseases. In this chapter, the viral diseases of the respiratory tract (the pneumotropic diseases) and in the skin (the dermotropic diseases) are summarized. Each disease is presented with information on its causative agent, transmission, symptoms, treatment, and immunization. When you have completed the chapter, you should be able to answer the following essay questions: a. Discuss the types of infections typically caused by the rhinoviruses. b. Identify the types of infections that adenoviruses cause c. Describe the structure of the influenza virus, and assess the importance of antigenic variation in its disease severity. d. Name the virus family responsible for respiratory syncytial disease and parainfluenza, and describe the nature of these illnesses. e. Assess the significance of SARS and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome as examples of newly emerging infectious diseases. f. Outline the different manifestations of herpes simplex in the body, and indicate which drugs are available for treatment. g. Write a short paragraph on chickenpox, including its communicability, incidence, symptoms, and possible complications. h. Describe the infectious nature of human herpesviruses 6 and 8. i. Explain the significance of Koplik spots and MMR with respect to measles. j. Compare measles and rubella with reference to causative virus, symptoms, congenital transfer, and complications. k. Identify the organs of the body that may be affected by the mumps virus and explain how immunization is performed against this disease. l. Describe the characteristic signs of fifth disease. m. Give a brief description of warts, and name the viruses often linked to their formation. n. Describe the global elimination of smallpox by the process of surveillance containment. o. Outline the symptoms in an individual who has molluscum contagiosum.