Why is it incorrect to say you were attacked by a virus? (human body, not computer related)?

Question

My friend said it is incorrect because something about viruses not being alive or something like that. Can someone give me an actual explanation?

Answer 1

Right, viruses aren't alive. They don't have any biological processes of their own, since they are just DNA or RNA strands in a protein coat. They dock with a cell, inject their genetic material, then use the host's cellular machinery to make copies of themselves. They then use the host's machinery to assemble their pieces, then can either leave quietly through the membrane (leaving the host cell alive to make many, many more copies) or they can build up to the point where they cause the host cell to die and rupture, spilling out lots of new viruses to infect other cells.

You could say that you were attacked by a virus. It wouldn't hide around a corner and jump out, but then again, neither would a bacterial infection. It might be more accurate to say that you were hijacked (or maybe celljacked) by the virus. You can say attacked though. Unless you're writing a scientific paper, it's close enough

Answer 2

Of course you can say that. A virus is in a nebulous place when it comes to classifying it as living. A virus (lytic vs. latent) actually works by being able to identify the cell surface receptors in a particular species and then injecting its genetic material into the living cell of the species. The genetic material hijacks the hosts cell and starts using its resources to create more virus genetic material and protien coats. The cell is forced to assmble the virus until the virus ultimately forces the cell to burst and release the new viruses.

Answer 3

Well, viruses AREN'T alive, but viruses still target your living cells, therefore I think you could say that you were attacked by a virus. You could be theoretically 'attacked' by robots in a movie, couldn't you? I think you're correct.

Just to clarify, viruses aren't alive...but many people get a bacterial infection and still say "I've got a virus". It's hard to tell which you have, except that generally with a virus (unless you catch it early and get anti-viral medicines) doctors tell you it has to run it's course. Bacterial infections can be treated with anti-biotics.

Answer 4

Viruses consist of only genetic material such as DNA or RNA which uses a host to duplicate. As they only consist of genetic material and have no organelles some scientists debate whether they should be considered living or nonliving.

My opinion is that I would say viruses are non-living living.

Hope that helps.

Answer 5

Viruses don't physically attack. It inserts its own genetic material in to your body cells, which then manufacture more viruses and burst. The process repeats again. Viruses are tiny acellular molecules.

Answer 6

It is not incorrect, as a virus is an outside foreign body to our "body" and when we come in contact with the virus, our immunities will battle with the attacking virus.

A virus is very well alive; as alive as you and I (virus' have intelligence, as they know how to infect and how to spread or reproduce). A virus is also much more superior than humans and more efficient.