Seminar Reflection 1

The two principal stages at which a virus can be found in a host cell are latent and active. Latent means that the virus is in the host’s cells, but does not display any symptoms. In the active stage, the symptoms that the virus gives to the host are visible. Examples of the different herpes viruses, their symptoms, and the ways they are transmitted between hosts are as follows: Alpha-herpes viruses: Herpes Simplex Virus, type 1 and 2 (oral and genital herpes), can be transmitted orally or sexually. Beta-herpes virus: Human Cytomegalovirus, a congenital disease. and Y-herpes virus: Epstein Barr Virus, transmitted orally, and Karposi sarcoma-associated virus. Karpopsi sarcoma-associated virus, is a type of herpes virus that develops into skin cancer. A new method of treating the virus is through a drug that will target the virus in the cells, rather than the tumor or the cancerous cells. Olga González’s research can contribute to science by providing a new way of targeting and treating cancer: at the source.