What is the first thing that strikes your mind when you hear the word virus? The cranky, old professor from the movie 3 idiots? Or the virus you get on your computers and mobiles? Well, those have nothing to do with these powerful microorganism we're discussing here.Viruses are microscopic parasites which are as small as 20 nanometers which are capable of producing serious, life threatening conditions such as cancers, AIDS etc.
The study of these microscopic, parasitic particles, and their functions, and nature is known as virology. A person who studies the viruses that affect humans, animals, insects, bacteria, fungi and other natural environments is known as a Virolgist.A virologist may be a science graduate who has majored in virology or a medical graduate who has specialized in virology and epidemiology. Virologists usually are some of the best trained public health professionals. Scientists who train as virologists play a very pivotal role in the public health sector, including making sound health policies at all levels of the society. Most of the work for a virologist is serious laboratory research where he must figure out how to control the harmful effects of the virus and help the pharmacologist in formulating a suitable drug to kill it.
What's so exciting about a virologist? With the numerous life threatening viruses such as, HIV virus, Zika virus, Swine flu virus, there is an ever increasing demand for virologists to conduct studies and do research on these viruses to find a cure. As the modern day healthcare focuses more on prevention of the disease before it strikes, rather than dealing with the issue after people are unwell, this is where a virologist's role comes into play where he's required to study and work with other health professionals and help save the world from a potential viral outbreak. By - Rashika
