Specialty: virology. Profession Virologist in Russia 

Documentation 30.08.2020
Documentation

Who is a virologist?

A virologist is a specialist who studies viruses that cause diseases in both plants and humans. He studies pathogenic viruses, studies their characteristics and infectious properties, and develops methods for the treatment and prevention of illnesses caused by them. In modern medicine, virology is one of the most important areas of medicine.

Competence of a virologist

What diseases does a virologist treat?

The number of viral diseases increases every year. The most common of them, which are within the competence of a virologist, are:

  • Viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, G).
  • Measles, rubella.
  • Smallpox, mumps.
  • Tick-borne encephalitis.
  • Viral papillomas.
  • Infectious jaundice
  • Rabies, flu.
  • Warts.
  • Herpes type I-II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII.

In what situations should you contact a virologist?

Even with mild illness and the first symptoms of infection, you should visit a virologist to avoid complications of the disease. IN mandatory You should visit a doctor after a vacation in exotic countries, where you can become infected with dangerous viruses that do not immediately manifest themselves. These diseases include hemorrhagic fever, which leads to death. You should consult a virologist if you have the following symptoms:

  • Expressed headache and fever.
  • Gastrointestinal disorders and dry mouth.
  • Rashes on the skin and mucous membranes of various types.
  • Yellowness of the skin and sclera.
  • Painful sensations in the area of ​​the lymph nodes.
  • Depression or excessive agitation.
  • Insomnia.
  • Severe radicular and muscle pain.

Description of viral infectious diseases

Smallpox is an acute viral disease characterized by intoxication, fever, rash on the skin and mucous membranes with stages of spots, blisters, pustules, crusts and scars.

Chickenpox - viral acute infection with intoxication and polymorphic rash on the skin and mucous membranes. The incubation period lasts 8-12 days. The onset is characterized by chills, fever, pain in the lower back, sacrum and limbs, as well as thirst, headache, dizziness and vomiting. On days 2-4, a skin rash or hemorrhagic rash appears on the chest, in the armpits and inguinal folds of the thighs. On the 4th day, the temperature decreases, the symptoms weaken and pockmarks appear on the head, face, torso, and limbs, which progress to the stage of spots, papules, vesicles, pustules with the formation of a crust and scar. Also, pockmarks appear on the nose, oropharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, rectum, etc. On the 8th day, the patient’s condition worsens, sleep disturbances, delirium and convulsions occur (in children). The change in blood is characterized by leukocytosis. The severe form includes confluent form, pustular-hemorrhagic and smallpox purpura. For those who are vaccinated against smallpox, the disease is mild. The incubation period is from 15 to 17 days, moderate malaise and intoxication, the rash is not profuse, pustules do not form, no scars remain on the skin, and recovery occurs after 2 weeks.

Tick-borne encephalitis (spring-summer). Starts sharply with high temperature, chills, headache and repeated vomiting. I am worried about pain in the lower back, calves and muscles. In the first days, skin hyperemia, scleral injection, gastrointestinal disorders, and sore throat are observed. High fever can last for about 5-8 days. The second rise in temperature indicates the penetration of viruses into the nervous system and the development of neurology. In the first days, headache, vomiting, epileptic seizures, confusion, and meningeal symptoms are pronounced. Mental disorders, visual hallucinations, agitation and depression are noted.

Epidemic mumps. The disease begins with chills and fever. The fever lasts no more than one week, but there are cases when the disease occurs with normal temperature bodies. Headache, malaise, weakness and insomnia are noted. The salivary, submandibular and parotid glands also become inflamed. With an enlargement of the parotid salivary gland, the face becomes pear-shaped, the lobe rises, and the skin becomes shiny. Often the process occurs on both sides. There is pain in the parotid area, especially at night. When pressing behind the lobe, severe pain appears. Sometimes, due to pain, it is difficult to chew and swallow food, there is dry mouth, decreased hearing, and decreased salivation.

Prehepatic jaundice, characteristics:

  • yellowness of the sclera and skin, enlarged spleen;
  • there is no acholic feces, the number of reticulocytes in the blood increases and bone marrow erythropoiesis increases.

Hepatic jaundice. It is marked by a bright icteric color of the skin and extrahepatic signs, uniform enlargement of the liver with signs of hepatic cellular failure. In the chronic form, symptoms of varicose veins of the esophagus, stomach, hemorrhoidal veins, and a pronounced venous network in the area of ​​the anterior abdominal wall are revealed.

Hepatitis A. Erased and subclinical forms are typical for children. In adults and adolescent children, icteric forms occur.

Hepatitis B. Characterized by the absence of high fever and a gradual period of jaundice. Characterized by malaise, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and pain in the hypochondrium. Darkening of urine and yellowness of the sclera are the first symptoms of the disease.

Hepatitis D. Acute liver failure is noted to be higher than with hepatitis B. In patients who are infected with HBV, HDV superinfection causes an exacerbation of unfavorable hepatitis with the formation of hepatitis D of a chronic form of high activity form, which often develops into cirrhosis of the liver. Patients with this form rarely recover.

Hepatitis C. The incubation period is 5-7 weeks, after which clinical manifestations appear. Characteristic are anicteric forms that are asymptomatic. Symptoms are no different from other forms of acute hepatitis. Hepatitis C is milder than other viral hepatitis.

Cholestatic jaundice is accompanied by an increased level of bilirubin in the blood serum. It is characterized by itchy skin, increased activity of cholestasis enzymes, cholesterol and bile acids.

Laboratory tests and diagnostics that a virologist can prescribe

In order to establish an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to examine for:

  • Herpes simplex virus (anti-HSV 1 type IgG, anti-HSV 2 type IgG, anti-HSV 1.2 type IgG, anti-HSV 1.2 type IgM, anti-HSV 6 type IgG).
  • HIV anti-HIV ½.
  • Rubella virus anti-Rubella IgG, anti-Rubella IgM.
  • Antibodies to Candida IgG (candidiasis (thrush)).
  • Anti-VZV IgG, Anti-VZV IgM (varicella zoster virus).
  • Anti-EBV-VCA IgG, anti-EBV-VCA IgM, anti-EBV-EBNA IgG, anti-EBV-EA IgG (quantities), (Epstein-Barr virus.
  • Hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), D (HDV), C (HCV), G (HGV), qualitative definition.

Diagnostics:

  • Liver biopsy (removal of part of the liver). There is percutaneous blind and targeted. They are carried out with a special needle to study changes in the structure of the liver and exclude other possible diseases. After this, the patient adheres to bed rest for a day.
  • Laparoscopy (small incision surgery) Uses a telescopic tube with a lens. Allows you to identify pathology and establish an accurate diagnosis.

Prevention of genital herpes. Sex should be safe. Prevent STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), because treating sexually transmitted infections is much more difficult. The incubation period of some diseases can last about 6 months and only after that it can be detected in the blood. Avoid sex with a partner who has symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease. Do not maintain more than 2 sexual relationships at the same time, because in this case the likelihood of infection increases.

There is no vaccine that protects against genital herpes. If a partner who has HSV maintains a relationship with the same partner and takes valacyclovir daily, the risk of infection is reduced by half.

Use a condom. It reduces the risk of contracting STDs, including genital herpes. You should especially use it if your sexual partner is new and you are not sure of his cleanliness. Condoms protect more women from HSV than men.

If there is tingling or pain in the genital area, then it is better to abstain from sex. These symptoms indicate an impending relapse of HSV. If a woman becomes infected with genital herpes during pregnancy, there is a possibility of infecting her unborn child during childbirth. If you are infected, you must inform your doctor that there is currently an outbreak of genital herpes, so that the doctor can take action.

If your partner has cold sores, avoiding oral stimulation will reduce the risk of contracting a genital infection caused by HSV-1 (the virus responsible for cold sores).

If there is an outbreak of genital herpes, you should wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom or any contact with the blistering rash.

Virologist is a professional doctor who was trained in the field of virology.

This specialist carries out bacteriological analysis of an object or item from healthy and sick people. Speaking in simple words, is a doctor who treats viral diseases.

What is the competence of a virologist?

What diseases does a virologist deal with?

  • Rabies disease– an acute disease that occurs as a result of the bite of an infected animal, accompanied by nerve damage. Most often ends in death;
  • Warts is an external benign tumor caused by various viruses. Has a papillary or nodular appearance;
  • . There are groups A, B, C, D. Each group of hepatitis occurs differently;
  • Herpes is an infection caused by a virus, accompanied by an inflammatory rash on the skin and mucous membranes.

When should you contact a virologist?

If a person has chickenpox. – an infection that accompanies relatively severe poisoning and rashes on the skin and mucous membranes.

Chickenpox is a once-in-a-lifetime illness, but some people confuse chickenpox with a regular rash.

Children tolerate chickenpox much easier. This disease in adults can develop into jaundice.

Chickenpox is popularly treated with ordinary brilliant green. This allows the sores to dry faster and appear bright green so you don't have to scratch them. After all, as you know, chickenpox will leave fewer scars if the rash is left untouched.

In case of smallpox. Smallpox is a viral disease characterized by cumulative poisoning, febrile syndrome, and rash on the skin and mucous surfaces.

If smallpox is common, then the incubation period lasts about two weeks.

In the first days, chills appear, fever increases, painful sensations arise in the lumbar and sacral spine and in the joints, a feeling of thirst occurs, the head feels dizzy and hurts, and a gag reflex occurs.

The next day is accompanied by a spotty or hemorrhagic rash, hemorrhages, similar to ecchiomosis. A hemorrhagic rash lasts for several days, while an initial rash lasts for several hours.

On the fourth day, the initial symptoms disappear and pockmarks appear on the skin. First spots appear, then blisters, then pustules, then crusts and scars. The pockmarks then develop into erosions. The temperature also drops.

After a week, the disease worsens. Most often it occurs with emotional overexcitation and delirium. Children have seizures. This condition can last 3 days.

The rash goes away in about 1.5 - 2 weeks, after which scars appear. The content of leukocytes in the blood increases.

Severe forms include smallpox and pustular-hemorrhagic purpura. With such forms, a pronounced shift to the left appears, myelocytes and young cells appear in the blood.

There are vaccinations to make smallpox easier to survive. But the extension of the incubation period is guaranteed. A slight discomfort appears. However, the vaccinated person does not experience a severe rash, no scars are left and they recover after two weeks.

There is also a mild form of smallpox. Rashes appear on the skin in small quantities or not at all. Fever and undiagnosed state of health.

You should also contact a virologist if you are sick with tick-borne encephalitis.

– a viral disease caused by a tick bite, accompanied by poisoning, febrile syndrome, damage to the spinal cord and brain. The disease can lead to neurological and psychiatric complications, which can result in death.

Appears in spring or early summer.

At the beginning of any form of this disease, the temperature rises, chills appear, the head, lower back and calf muscles begin to ache, a repeated gag reflex occurs, and muscle spasms occur. Preceding symptoms can rarely be identified. First, skin hyperemia, scleral injection, indigestion, and inflammation of the pharynx are noticed.

On day 2 the temperature rises to its maximum. At this point the body can survive for a week. During this period, temperatures are likely to drop and then rise again. The second time, the microbes invade the nerves and develop neurological signs.

The disease greatly affects nerve cells. In the initial period, the patient is able to fall into depression or even coma. The disease may also be accompanied by epileptic seizures. Many patients experience hallucinations, delusions, and emotional overexcitation.

You should ask a virus professional for help in case of mumps.

Hepatitis B is a virologist's disease.

Hepatitis B is a viral liver disease that poses a serious threat to human life.

In the initial period, the heat reaches only 37.9 degrees. Probably the appearance of joint pain.

The most common symptoms are malaise, lethargy, lack of hunger, nausea accompanied by vomiting, and pain in the liver area. Enzyme activity increases. In the pre-icteric stage, HBV markers can be detected. Some may have no symptoms at all.

The main sign of hepatitis B is blackening of the urine and yellowing of the sclera.

The virologist's job is also hepatitis D.

Hepatitis D is a viral disease that is transmitted intravenously and causes inflammation of the liver. Appears only if hepatitis B is present.

Patients develop permanent liver failure.

This disease in chronically infected patients often develops cirrhosis of the liver against the background of this hepatitis.

Even a virologist cannot help with such a disaster.

Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C is a viral liver disease.

Symptoms usually appear after 1.5 months.

If you begin to gain weight, this is a sign of an exacerbation of the disease.

The symptoms of hepatitis C are the same as those of other types of hepatitis.

If a person gets sick cholestatic jaundice, he needs to go to a virologist.

Cholestatic jaundice is a viral disease that appears as a result of disorganization of bile dynamics.

With such jaundice, the content of blood direct and indirect bile pigment increases. The amount of metabolic products excreted in feces and urine decreases or disappears altogether. The skin is constantly itching. The activity of cholestasis enzymes, cholesterol and bile acid increases.

When and what tests should be done?

Before going to a virologist, you need to be examined. To do this you need to undergo some tests.

  • Test for HIV infection– this is the detection of antibodies in the body that appear as protection against HIV;
  • Herpes test– identification of the virus in the body that causes this disease. In normal cases, this is a visual examination of the patient. But sometimes doctors have to resort to special methods for detecting infection, because it is not always appearance inflammation is accurately described by the herpes virus;
  • Rubella test - examination of the body to detect class G antibodies, which appear to protect the immune system from this virus.
    People only get rubella once in a lifetime, but in some cases it is confused with a regular rash. Therefore, laboratory examination of the body is inevitable. Better yet, get vaccinated against it;
  • Thrush test– examination of the human body to detect microbes that cause candidiasis. The standard way to detect thrush is a vaginal smear. Thanks to microscopy, doctors can determine the presence of the virus.
    DNA testing is now popular in medicine. It accurately detects fungus.
    Cultures of the vaginal microflora are also used to determine the cause of infection. This allows you to increase the effect of treatment. All these methods of analysis for best result used in combination;
  • Chickenpox test- This is the detection in the body of the production of antibodies by the immune system that protect against the Varicella-Zoster virus. At the first signs of this disease, it is necessary to donate blood;
  • Test for Epstein-Barr virus– this is the identification of antibodies in the body that fight this virus. DNA diagnostics usually involves a blood test or a smear of the urethra or vagina. But sometimes urine, saliva, and cerebrospinal fluid are used for this. This diagnostic allows you to determine high accuracy number of viral microbes. The enzyme immunoassay method for detecting the virus helps to combine the result of the study and the clinical situation;
  • Analysis for hepatitis of all groups– this is the detection of viruses in the human body, hepatitis A, B, C, D. To undergo this test, you need to donate blood. Before taking the test, you must not eat for at least 8 hours. That is, these tests are taken on an empty stomach.
    Thanks to new medical technologies, the accuracy of determining the number of bacteria is high. This allows you to identify the disease at an early stage and significantly increase the effect of treatment.

What main types of diagnostics does a Virologist usually perform?

The virologist performs blind and targeted percutaneous liver biopsy, as well as laparoscopy.

Liver biopsy- This is the removal of a small part of the liver. A special needle is used for this. This type diagnostics are performed to study changes in the structure of the liver and exclude other possible diseases.

Then the person must adhere to bed rest for a day.

Laparoscopy- This is a surgical procedure with a small incision. This method uses a telescopic tube with a lens.

Laparoscopic diagnosis allows the doctor to identify pathology, establish an accurate diagnosis, prescribe the most effective treatment and reduce a possible scar.

VIDEO

The best treatment is prevention! In order not to suffer from viral diseases or at least get rid of them in the early stages, you need to be careful environment and constantly undergo examination by a virologist.

And genital herpes also requires prevention. Most often it is transmitted sexually, so you need to be careful with sex.

During intimate contact, we must not forget about safety measures:

  • When entering into sexual relations, you need to make sure that your partner is not a carrier of herpes. First you need to talk frankly with him. There is no need to be ashamed of this. Ask him if he could have become infected with a sexually transmitted virus somewhere. The disease develops for about six months before it begins to manifest itself, so you need to be more vigilant about your contacts;
  • It is necessary to remember about responsibility. Security measures must always be in place. You should always have male or female condoms in your bag or pocket;
  • You cannot initiate contact if signs of herpes have been noticed, and you are also prohibited from having sex during the treatment period to ensure that you do not become infected;
  • If your partner may have had contact with a person whose symptoms indicate the presence of an STD, then before going to bed with him, you must wait until he is fully examined by a doctor. If the result of the test for the presence of herpes is positive, it is recommended to begin sexual intercourse only after complete recovery;
  • If you have multiple sexual partners, the risk of infection increases significantly.

Today there is no vaccine against STDs. However, you can always protect yourself from harm by taking advantage of all safety and prevention measures.

Statistics show that taking herpes medication daily helps reduce the chance of infecting your partner. This is the case if a person no longer has sexual relations with anyone.

We also must not forget about personal hygiene.

The use of contraceptives should not be neglected.

A condom protects against herpes infection. However, it protects men less well. This method of protection should always be kept in your pocket or bag.

If other methods are used to protect against pregnancy, and the man does not have a condom with him, then a female condom is also suitable for protection against genital herpes. Lady condoms provide even better protection against the transmission of viruses.

If tingling occurs during sex or a blistering rash appears in the groin area, then it is better to avoid contact. This may be a sign of this disease.

If a young mother becomes infected with herpes during pregnancy, she can only pass it on to her baby during childbirth. For a child, this can result in dire consequences, so it is necessary to be much more careful about your health during pregnancy.

If there is a possibility of contracting an STD, you should immediately consult your doctor.

If symptoms have already appeared, then it is necessary to tell the virologist at what time the outbreak occurred.

Even if the expectant mother is 100% confident in her partner, she still needs to protect herself with condoms. This greatly reduces the risk of infection.

You cannot have oral sex if you have herpes on your lips. And in the last stages of pregnancy, it is necessary to abandon the oral method altogether, since herpes is a chronic disease. This will reduce the chance of contracting genital herpes.

After the birth of the baby, a mother who has genital herpes needs to wash her hands after going to the toilet and any contact with herpes inflammation.

There are a lot of sites on the Internet where you can ask questions to virologists. This will also reduce the risk of a viral illness or exacerbation of an existing illness.

Man has always sought to understand the laws of nature. He accumulated and systematized the acquired knowledge and applied it for the benefit of society. Such an act became the main criterion of science in the mid-19th century. It was then that the Russian scientist D.I. Ivanovsky, in the course of many years of research, proved the existence of the virus. Nowadays, science has advanced greatly. A special doctrine appeared - virology. She studies viruses and has her own classification. Thus, they distinguish general, specific and molecular virology.

The activity of a virologist is work using knowledge laboratory diagnostics, the fundamentals of specific prevention, anti-epidemic and therapeutic measures for viral diseases. A specialist can apply his professional skills in the field of healthcare, pharmacology, laboratory diagnostics or education.

A virologist conducts laboratory virological studies. Takes part in the implementation of new equipment. Within the scope of his competence, he consults with doctors on emerging issues. During laboratory research, he makes recommendations on the rules for the delivery of biological material. Interprets laboratory results. Monitors diagnostic procedures. Maintains tools, apparatus and equipment in working order.

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Veterinary Qualification: Specialty

Entrance exams:
1. Mathematics/Chemistry;
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Veterinary and sanitary examination Qualifications: Bachelor's degree

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35,000–45,000 rub. (rabota.yandex.ru)

Place of work

Virologists work in laboratories, institutes, educational and medical institutions, and research centers.

Responsibilities

First of all, a virologist deals with virological research. At the same time, monitors the quality of the study drug, the conditions of its delivery and storage. A virologist can also take part in the implementation of new equipment and maintaining it in working condition.

In a medical institution, a virologist advises doctors, helps in interpreting laboratory results, and recommends diagnostic procedures.

Important qualities

In the profession, such qualities are important as: tendency to monotony research work, love of biology, accuracy, attentiveness, perseverance and good health.

Reviews about the profession

According to authoritative virologists, the profession is now more relevant than ever. Every day new viruses appear that can harm both a small group of people and an entire community. Experts work every day to identify new types of viruses and try to find means to combat them.

Stereotypes, humor

“Songs with the words “Bird of Tomorrow’s Happiness” and “Migratory Birds Are Flying” are especially popular among Chinese virologists who intensively study the Russian language.

Education

To become a virologist, you need to obtain a specialized higher education, for example, at the Leningrad State University named after A. S. Pushkin.

Medical universities in Moscow: Moscow State University. Lomonosov, First Moscow State medical University named after I.M. Sechenov, Russian National Research Medical University RNRMU named after N.I. Pirogov.

Job responsibilities

The nature of viruses, their structure, destruction, biochemistry, genetics is studied by general virology; The study of pathogenic viruses, their infectious properties, the development of measures for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by them is carried out by medical, veterinary and agricultural virology. Virology, therefore, has two main directions. The first brings it closer to molecular biology and genetics, physics and chemistry of macromolecules, i.e., in other words, with knowledge of the fundamental principles of life: the phenomena of biosynthesis of living matter and the phenomena of heredity. The second is adjacent to theoretical medicine and pharmacology and has as its task the fight against diseases by obtaining antiviral vaccines. The place of work of a virologist is primarily a laboratory - a modern one, equipped with the latest equipment that allows the use of various biochemical, biophysical, radiobiological and other methods. The arsenal of virologists includes optical and electron microscopy, Computer Engineering. Virologists also work in vivariums, experimental stations and testing grounds, and organize special virological expeditions. A virologist must combine broad general biological erudition and experimental skills. The success of his work largely depends on accurate knowledge of the properties and characteristics of the instruments and preparations used, on accuracy and thoroughness in preparing the experiment (often long and labor-intensive), and pedantry in its implementation. Processing the results obtained is also not easy; their correct interpretation often requires setting up new clarifying experiments and attracting additional information.

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