Viruses

The most common and prolific life forms in the world are Bacteria and Viruses. Viruses are not considered life forms by everyone because they are not a cell. They do not make their own energy. They cannot survive outside of a host cell they attack and live inside as a parasite.

Bacteria are self-contained life forms that reproduce and are entities and individuals. Under the right conditions they can survive on their own and reproduce.

For the purpose of this discussion, Bacteria and Viruses will both be considered life forms. This decision is based on the fact that Viruses do reproduce. Viruses multiply in hosts and become part of that life form. Even though they need a host cell to live in, anyone who has had a virus would agree that they have living qualities.

How Big are Viruses

Viruses are smaller than Bacteria. Often up to a hundred times smaller. Viruses contain proteins such as DNA or RNA which are simply put the reproductive genes makers of the body.

Virus Populations and Mutations

Virus populations can often have a wide variation of genetic material which makes them very adaptable. Because they have variations, as the conditions change, the members of the population which are suited to those conditions thrive. They reproduce rapidly and the population adapts to its host environment.

Influenza Viruses Genetic Adaptability

Influenza viruses change so radically that they become different to the degree that the bodies immunity to the original infection that the body's immune system is no longer able to combat or control the new strain when it infects the body. This is why flu shots are changed each year to provide the body with a sample of the new strain and so it can build immunities.

Flu Shots and Vaccines

There are very may Viruses that can give you the flu. Even if you get a flu shot to protect against the newest strains, the shots do not cover the full spectrum of Viruses out there. They are made to provide the body with immunity to the most common or likely infectants,

Viruses have been implicated in playing a major role in cancer and other diseases. Some antiviral or immunity building drugs are available. You can get shots that protect you from Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Chicken Pox can be prevented via vaccines. Some Viruses like man Herpes, have not cooperated and are unpreventable with vaccines.