Alexandra Shull

Alexandra Shull

by Deleted user -
Number of replies: 2

 

There is no perfect virus but I think my version would be unique with several different qualities. For starters, it would be names the ADS virus. This virus would be named after me.  The virus I would create would be a RNA virus due to the high level of mutation that is available. This virus would be super deadly. This virus would present infected induvial with multiple symptoms including: fever, vomiting, redness of the eyes, and many other symptoms that depend on the case. This virus would be difficult to identify in humans. This virus has the ability to stay dormant in an induvial for three months before showing up. 

This virus would have originated in the United States and the origin would be from bats. Bats have the ability to infect at a rapid rate. Bats travel in the thousands and can cover large areas of land at a time. Since bats use the restroom wherever they go, it would be easy for them to contaminate the things we eat. Quammen discusses the for-RNA viruses to” reside in the body for longer stretches of time” (Quammen 310). The ability to stay in the body a long time would prolong the symptoms, make it hard to identify the ADS virus. This virus would cause a slow and painful death. Individuals would basically have a fever and nausea where the body practically overheats. It is imperative that the infected individual got treated immediately. Since the virus can be spread from person to person through bodily fluids, infected individuals would need to be kept in contained environments. The host would need to be contained but death is inevitable for patients with ADS virus due to the lack of research on it.  In order to stop the spread, we would need to restrict travel and increase precautions on the spread.

 

Quammen, David. Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic. W.W. Norton, 2013.


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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Alexandra Shull

by Connor West -
Your disease is very scary, but it is definitely realistic. Bats are a very common reservoir host as we have learned by reading Spillover. The disease being spread through bodily fluids is definitely a big concern just because of how quickly and easily it can spread to other humans, so like you said people would definitely need to be quarantined. It being a RNA virus also makes it a tricky disease just because of how quickly they mutate. Makes it hard for epidemiologists to figure out a cure. The symptoms of your disease are also very realistic and would be painful. With the red eyes it could definitely increase infection if you are rubbing them and are touching other things that other people are touching.

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In reply to Connor West

Re: Alexandra Shull

by Deleted user -
Hey Alexandra,

I enjoyed reading your imaginary virus story and how scary and creative the story sounds. The fact that the ADS virus can remain dormant in individuals for about three months before the symptoms notice, it is a good sign of good Virus. And, I wonder if a human with ADS virus will be able to transmit to other humans while in the dormant period, three months?
Indeed, our food has a high chance of getting contaminated by bat's body waste as they travel almost everywhere. Based on how you described your Virus, it will be such a silent killer, and that will make it easy to spread and hard to stop the outbreak.
Great job!

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