Question

1. How does a virus cause a disease?
2.why are antibiotics not appropriate for treating the common cold?

Answer 1

1) Viruses invade normal cells for utilising those cells to replicate & generate more viruses like the parent viruses. This causes damages or alterations to the cells or even kill the cells. Viruses disrupt the overall functioning of cells. All these are enough to make anyone sick. Various types of viruses invade particular cells of the body such as that of liver, blood, etc. Virulence is the ability to cause diseases & it differs between viruses.

2) Antibiotics are drugs that are developed to fight against bacteria. Common cold, flu are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are effective against both Gram negative & Gram positive bacteria & ineffective against viruses.

hope it helps.