2006-10-02 15:41:07 · 9 answers · asked by skidouble1 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Viruses do cause disease, but they fall into the realm of infectious disease along with bacteria, fungi, as well as prions(very interesting organisms beyond this scope). I'm a physician and by far and away the majority of illness I see is caused by humans. The number one killer in America, heart disease..is caused by our habits ie smoking, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle. Emphysema another big killer is directly caused by smoking (for the most part). Diabetes (type II..the most common form) is caused by our poor diet as well as a genetic component. Many of the medicines we prescribe have terrible side effects causing serious disease including kidney and liver failure, heart attacks (remember Vioxx), and other conditions.
Then there are all of the congenital syndromes people are simply born with that aren't related to viruses.
You are correct though! Some cancers are indeed caused by viruses (they directly affect certain cell's DNA causing them to grow at an unchecked rate) and every year diseases we thought were caused by other environmental agents end up being attributed to viruses.
2006-10-02 15:55:09 · answer #1 · answered by Scout 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All illnesses aren't caused by viruses. Strep throat isn't caused by a virus, its caused by a bacteria. Some viruses do greatly increase the risk of certain types of cancer. For example, the human papilloma virus (HPV) is known to cause certain types of cervical cancer.
2006-10-03 04:11:14 · answer #2 · answered by RN806 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, some diseases are caused by bacteria, some come when an organ begins to fail, some are caused by poisons you might take in to your body or stresses you put on it. Some cancer seems to be caused by viruses, some cancers aren't.
2006-10-02 15:45:10 · answer #3 · answered by jxt299 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cervical cancer is cause by a virus, stomach cancer is caused by the h. pylori bacteria. Many illnesses are caused by micro-organisms but NOT all are caused by them, some are hereditary like Diabetes, and some congenital like Down Syndrome.
2006-10-05 18:52:17 · answer #4 · answered by John Quest 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the onyl cancer i can think of that is caused by a virus is cervical cancer from HPV, but illnesses are also caused by bacteria and other pathogens, not just viruses
2006-10-02 15:44:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all but most. Of course lung cancer is caused by damaged cells, but cervical cancer is caused by a virus. When it comes to anything medical there is never an all or none, or an always or never.
2006-10-02 15:45:28 · answer #6 · answered by okitty_kat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOOO!! some illness are caused by bacterias or other patogens, not all of them are caused by viruses. Viruses never leave your body, bacterias do. Cancer is not caused neither by viruses or bacteria.
2006-10-02 15:48:13 · answer #7 · answered by Katiegirl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, some illnesses are caused by bacteria.
2006-10-02 15:43:24 · answer #8 · answered by Aria 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no i dont think so most people with cancer are born with the cells already in there body i tkink interesting question though
2006-10-02 15:49:31 · answer #9 · answered by debra o 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋