Giant Viruses !

Apparently there is such thing as a giant virus.  I had no clue a virus could achieve status of giant virus, but I guess anything is possible when dealing with microbes and viruses. This certain strain of giant virus was discovered in 2003 but not after being mistaken for bacteria for almost eleven years. In 1992 it was discovered in Bradford, England when Timothy Robotham was in search for the cause of local pneumonia outbreak. But was mistakenly identified for a bacteria.

It was not until eleven years later in 2003 when the error was corrected. The giant virus received a name change, now known as Acanthamoeba polyphaga, also know as mimivirus for microbe-mimicking virus. The mimivirus is the largest virus ever discovered. To be considered a giant a virus it must have a diameter of 200 nanometers or more and the mimivirus is at 750 nanometers. The virus also has a very large genome, consisting of 1.2 million base pairs.

The topic of these giant viruses is fairly new, due to the fact that they have been largely undetected until recent years. No that they have caught the attention of virologist and scientist alike they have the spot light on them, they are challenging the assumptions of the shape of the phylogenetic tree of life.

With all this new information and discoveries that have been brought to light it is clear that the past knowledge of viruses has been outdated and needs to be updated. Although this information was very interesting and informative it was meant for a more well informed audience with better knowledge about viruses.

http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/pub/giant-viruses 

http://gamesolutions.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/attack-of-the-giant-viruses-logo.jpg

Hospitals Infecting Patients

Hospitals aren’t as safe as we had previously thought, according to some new studies find that high levels of infectious pathogens can be found the water supply at hospitals. The study found that higher levels of pathogens could be found in the water from faucet taps with aerators. The research team that conducted the study say that aerators are a reservoir for drug-resistant bacteria, this not only leads to a patient at risk of infection or prolonged hospital stay. Researches also determined that the levels of chlorine were to low, this leads to the growth of water born pathogens like legionella and Acinetobacter spp to grow in the faucet aerators.  

With this new information now brought to light it is clear that hospitals need to do something with respect to the situation. There should no bacteria present in hospitals water systems, it affects the well being of the patients and puts them at risk for infection that can lead to a prolonged hospital stay. This affects both the hospital and the patients. It affects the hospital because they are exposing their patients to sickness in a place that is meant for cures. The patients are also exposed to bacteria and leads to higher medical bills due to prolonged hospital stays.

Hospitals need to set stricter guidelines for patients health and for the benefit of the whole hospital. It would take quite a large investment on behalf of the hospital but it is a necessary one in order to prevent the growth of bacteria on the tap faucets aerators. People go to hospitals hoping to get better and should not have to worry about getting sick through the water supply.

 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140121113444.htm

http://cdn.thedoctorschannel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Bacteria-1.jpg

Why I choose this class

The reason I choose this class is because my other flc
class that I was registered for was canceled due to low enrollment. I had looked at other available classes and most English classes were full. This class was available and I decided to sign up for it.








http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/jscreationzs/jscreationzs1006/jscreationzs100600053/7930595-digital-illustration-of-microbes-et-bacterias-in-3d-on-digital-background.jpg