Types of Human Viruses

by DR. TINA M. ST. JOHN Last Updated: Jun 11, 2015

Overview

Human viruses cause a variety of maladies, depending on the virus type and the tissues
infected. All humans contract multiple viruses throughout the course of life. The severity
of viral illnesses ranges from mild to lethal. Cold, flu, stomach and hepatitis viruses are
among the most common types of human viruses encountered worldwide.

Cold Viruses

The common cold remains a vexing and ubiquitous human affliction. In the United
States alone, approximately 1 billion head colds occur each year. Viral infection of the
lining of the nasal passages leads to runny nose, watery eyes, scratchy throat and
sneezing. The typical course of the common cold is 7 to 14 days. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention asserts that more than 200 known virus strains can
cause a head cold, with rhinoviruses proving the most frequent culprits. Other virus
types that may cause a cold include adenovirus, coronavirus, coxsackievirus, echovirus,
enterovirus, orthomyxovirus, paramyxovirus and respiratory syncytial virus.
Flu Viruses

Three types of viruses cause influenza, more commonly known as the flu. Influenza
virus types A and B cause seasonal flu infections, which typically occur from late fall
through early spring. Influenza type C infections occur far less frequently and typically
cause a mild form of the illness. Common symptoms of the flu include body aches,
fever, fatigue, headache, scratchy throat, dry cough and a stuffy nose. Influenza
immunizations provide protection against infection due to influenza types A and B.

Stomach and Intestinal Viruses

Digestive system viruses invade the tissues of the stomach and upper intestine, causing
viral gastroenteritis. Common symptoms include abdominal pain or cramps, diarrhea,
nausea and vomiting. Rotavirus frequently causes gastroenteritis in infants and young
children. Symptoms include fever, vomiting and watery diarrhea. Norovirus is another
common stomach virus that affects both children and adults. Diarrheal symptoms
predominate in children with norovirus, whereas adults often experience persistent
vomiting. Other common stomach viruses include strains of adenovirus, sapovirus and
astrovirus.

Hepatitis Viruses

The hepatitis viruses infect the liver, causing inflammation. Five different virus cause
hepatitis, denoted by the letters A through E. Hepatitis viruses A, B and C predominate
in the United States. Hepatitis A virus is contracted through ingestion of stool-
contaminated food or water. The virus causes a short-lived episode of hepatitis.
Hepatitis B virus can cause acute or chronic liver infection. The virus is present in blood
and semen. Sexual intercourse, sharing injection drug equipment and mother-to-child
transmission during pregnancy and childbirth are the primary mechanisms of
contracting hepatitis B. Hepatitis C virus infection occurs through contact with infected
blood. Sharing injection drug equipment is the most frequent route of transmission.
Mother-to-child infections also occur. Infection with the hepatitis C virus is usually
chronic, but treatment clears the infection in many cases.

Other Human Viruses

A complete list of human viruses would encompass volumes and likely never be
complete as new types continue to be discovered. Some viruses are uncommon but
greatly concerning because of their potential lethality, such as Ebola and rabies viruses.
Others are common and cause a range of human illnesess, such as those in the
herpesvirus family, which are responsible for cold sores, genital herpes, infectious
mononucleosis, chickenpox, shingles and a number of other illnesses. Human
papillomaviruses cause common skin warts but are also a leading cause of cervical
cancer. Newer human viruses -- such as HIV, SARS and MERS-CoV -- are always a
concern as effective treatment typically lags behind their discovery by many years.