Virologists
A New Breed of Warriors
What Is A Virologist and What
Do They Do?
A virologist is some one who studies
viruses. These are the people who
research viruses and sometimes find a
vaccine for them. An example of this is
Influenza. There are many levels on
which on which a virologist can be on.
They range from 0 to 4. You should
note that there is no level one.
What Is A Virologist and What Do
They Do? (continued.)
One level 0 are the most
common and least harmful viruses.
Like the cold. On level 2 are more
dangerous strains, such as hepatitis.
On level 3 are viruses such as HIV
and AIDS.
What Is A Virologist and What Do
They Do? (continued.)
And on level 4 are the most
dangerous strains. Such as Ebola,
Hanta, and Marhburg. This is the area
with maximum protection. The doctors
here wear space suits and there are only
2 facilities in the United States with the
capability of studying level four viruses,
the CDC in Atlanta and USAMRIID in
Maryland.
The Choices:
All the things that a Virologist can study
Virology divides up into many subcategories. Some of these include:
•Biological Warfare
•Epidemology
•Lab Research
•Field Research
•Community Health Assessment
•Education and Research
•Public Health
School
Virologists have to go to school
for many years, and just like any
other medical profession, it is an ongoing process. There are many
subjects that a virologist needs to
know. Chemistry, microbiology,
molecular biology, epidemology, and
even virology.
Working
Virologists can work in many different
places, ranging from your local hospital, to the
Biohazard Level Four lab at the CDC to a
remote region of the rainforest in Africa.
Virologist can also find jobs working for
pharmaceutical companies helping develop
vaccines. In Volusia country, a virologist can
work at a laboratory at the Halifax hospital, or
they can work for the County Health
Department.
Salary
Like everything else a
virologists salary ranges from a little
to a whole lot. Why? It all depends
on the biohazard level, the amount of
research done, travel, who they are
working for, and how much research
has been done. A virologist can make
anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000+
dollars a year. Depending on what
they do, how much education they
have, and where they work.
How is a Virologist Important to the
Environment?
A virologist does contribute to the
environment. When you see a tree with
strange bumps and other such things, many
times that is caused by a virus. Also, many
viruses are carried by animals. If an animal is
sick and spreading the disease, many times a
virologist must be called in to try to make a
vaccine so it can cure the disease and prevent
an epidemic in both animals and people.
An Example:
Malaria
An example of the diseases that a virologist helps to
cure, that is found in the environment. Malaria is a disease
caused by one of four parasites and is lethal, unless diagnosed
early. Malaria is most common in Africa and tropical climates
Symptoms of malaria include fever, shivering, pain in
the joints, headache, repeated vomiting, generalized
convulsions and coma. Severe anaemia (exacerbated by
malaria) is often the attributable cause of death in areas with
intense malaria transmission. If not treated, the disease,
particularly that caused by P. falciparum, progresses to severe
malaria. Severe malaria is associated with death.
Malaria (continued)
Malaria is transmitted by Anopheline mosquitoes, the number
and type of which determine the extent of transmission in a
given area. Transmission of malaria is affected by climate and
geography, and often coincides with the rainy season.
Insecticide treated bednets and curtains have emerged in recent
years as a promising tool although their use in Africa is limited.
Results from multi-centre randomized, controlled field trials in
Africa supported by (TDR) suggest that in certain
epidemiological situations, overall childhood mortality can be
lowered by 15 to 35% through the use of insecticideimpregnated bednets. Further research is required to enhance
the effectiveness of bednets or curtains in operational settings
and to ensure their use in a sustainable manner.
Malaria (Continued)
Due to the considerable overlap in signs and symptoms of several
childhood diseases, a single diagnosis for a sick child is often
inappropriate. WHO and UNICEF have responded to this challenge by
developing an approach referred to as the "Integrated Management of
Childhood Illness". Evidence from surveys of health worker
performance and of management of illness in the home suggests that
improvements are likely to reduce childhood mortality significantly.
Despite the simple technology and relatively low direct costs,
microscope diagnosis is still expensive, requiring an adequate
infrastructure to purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, to train
health workers and to ensure proper quality assurance of the service. The
results of recent evaluations of standardized antigen detection tests
including 'dipsticks' suggest that they have potential for use in the
management of malaria disease, if accuracy can be assured and the test
made affordable for those in need.
Malaria (Continued)
New user-friendly packaging of anti-malarials separates the
dose to be taken at each time point, and provides simple nonmedical information to patients. It can result in 20% more
malaria sufferers following their treatment through until they
are cured, and this greater compliance in turn means less
possibility of drug resistance developing.
Rectal artesunate is being developed because patients in
malaria endemic countries, who are commonly at high risk
of death from malaria, often cannot get to health services. So
an existing drug is being reformulated for a new indication:
emergency treatment to cover a patient on the way to
hospital. If regulatory approval is justified, the suppositories
will be used for treating severely ill patients who cannot take
drugs by mouth and who cannot rapidly access safe
injectable treatment.
Fast Facts
• A virologist studies viruses and tries to make antiviruses.
• A virologist can make anywhere form 30100,000+ dollars a year.
• A virologist salary depends on what they do,
where they work, and how much education they
have.
• There are four biohazard levels.
• There are only 2 facilities with the capabilities to
handle a level 4 virus, the CDC and USAMRIID.
Resources
• Encyclopedia of Careers, Volume 2.
– Published by the J. G. Furguson Publishing
Company
– 1997
• World Health Organization. MALARIA. October
1998. May 15, 2000. <http://www.who.int/inffs/en/fact094.html>