Question

Some viruses kill host cells rapidly, while others reproduce slowly inside cells. What does this difference mean for disease symptoms?
Question 9 options:


Fast-reproducing viruses never spread to others, while slow ones always transmit


Slow-reproducing viruses disappear very quickly, while fast ones can last for years


Symptom patterns are unrelated to whether viruses grow quickly or grow slowly


Fast-killing viruses cause sudden severe illness, while slow viruses cause long-term disease

Answer 1

Fast-killing viruses cause sudden severe illness, while slow viruses cause long-term disease.

Explanation: viruses that replicate rapidly and lyse cells typically produce acute, severe symptoms soon after infection (e.g., influenza). Viruses that replicate slowly or establish persistent/latent infections produce prolonged, often progressive or chronic disease (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B/C).