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\begin{document}

\title{A battle between viruses and humans: Who is the winner?}



\author[1]{Sanjeev Singh}%
\affil[1]{Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University}%


\vspace{-1em}



  
  \date{May 19, 2024}


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\begin{abstract}
Viruses are considered as one of the primary drivers for human
evolution. Humans in return have also offered them an ideal habitat for
their growth and evaluation. However, both, humans and viruses are
diverse, astute, competitive, and avaricious in nature, which engage
them in a never-ending battle. Today, the world goes to win the battle
against COVID-19 for sure. However, this never ending merciless battle
between viruses and humans looks like an arms race for their survival in
which neither a virus wins nor a human but each battle provides them an
opportunity to bounce back for the next.%
\end{abstract}%



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\textbf{A battle between viruses and humans: Who is the winner?}

Sanjeev Singh\textsuperscript{1}, MPH

\textsuperscript{1.} \textbf{Corresponding author} : University School
of Medicine \& Paramedical Health Sciences, Guru Gobind Singh
Indraprastha University, Delhi, India, Cell : +918447732619,
sanjupt@gmail.com

``\emph{We are the descendants of the `fortunate ancestors' who survived
past epidemics. But the viruses, too, are the descendants of their own
fortunate ancestors that survived and transformed themselves over the
past four billion years.'' \textasciitilde{} Dr. Ishi Hiroyuki.}

The existence of viruses dates back to four billon years whereas human's
ancestors emerged long after the viruses, around two hundred thousand
years ago. Sharing a close relationship with humans, viruses are
considered as one of the primary drivers for human evolution. Humans in
return have also offered them an ideal habitat for their growth and
evaluation. However, both, humans and viruses are diverse, astute,
competitive, and avaricious in nature, which engage them in a
never-ending conflict resembling that of a friend as well as foe.

As human civilizations flourished, so did viruses. Throughout the
history, viruses have played a significant role in reshaping
civilizations by claiming uncountable mortalities, morbidities, and
economical losses by acting as a natural predator. Several times, these
invisible enemies of human race have changed the power dynamics and
brought the world to~its knees. For example, deaths by the Spanish flu
was around 50 million globally, higher than the estimated 16 million in
the World War I (WW-I)\textsuperscript{1}. During
20\textsuperscript{th}century, smallpox was responsible for
\textasciitilde{}300 million deaths more than that caused as a direct or
indirect result of war and armed conflicts (\textasciitilde{}100
million)\textsuperscript{2}. However, humans have developed skills or
found ways to coexist alongside viruses or even completely control them.
In recent decades, humans have already eradicated smallpox.
Poliomyelitis is on its way towards elimination and several other
diseases are on the back foot.

But then there is no end as ingenious viruses are continuously evolving
and change their nature through mutations and become more virulent. For
example, SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus strain causing COVID-19 disease,
evolved in the space of sixty years. A virus, sized between 70--90
nanometres has locked down the entire world infecting \textgreater{}2.5
million people and claiming \textgreater{}175 thousand lives to date and
this numbers are rapidly increasing\textsuperscript{3}. This seems to be
a battle between two rivals and reminds us of Darwin's theory~of
evolution, ``survival of fittest.''

Renowned environmentalist and scientist, Dr. Ishi Hiroyuki compares this
battle as: ``\emph{It's like the battle between a computer user and a
hacker. Human cells try to keep the virus out by barring the way with a
password, but the hacker, here the virus, uses every method possible to
uncover the password and get inside. The virus mutates at a furious pace
to fit perfectly into the keyhole, so human beings are hard pressed to
stop the intruder. But humans try to counter this by filling up the
keyhole. This is the competition that goes on between the two sides} .''

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
21\textsuperscript{st}century epidemics can spread faster and farther
than ever and potentially affecting each and every aspect of a human
life\textsuperscript{4}. Today, the world goes to win the battle against
COVID-19 for sure. However, considering the nature of viruses, it goes
without saying that viruses will wait again to strike back and no one
knows for sure when and how deadly they will be. This never ending
merciless battle between viruses and humans looks like an arms race for
their survival in which neither a virus wins nor a human but each battle
provides them an opportunity to bounce back for the NEXT.



\textbf{References}

\begin{enumerate}
\tightlist
\item
  The National Archives and Records Administration, Government of US:
  The deadly virus -- Influenza epidemic of 1918. Available at :
  https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/influenza-epidemic/ . Accessed on 22
  April 2020.
\item
  World Health Organization: Bugs, drugs, smoke: Chapter 1 -- Smallpox:
  Eradicating an ancient scourge. Available at
  https://www.who.int/about/bugs\_drugs\_smoke\_chapter\_1\_smallpox.pdf.
  Accessed on 22 April 2020.
\item
  World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation
  reports. Available at
  https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports
  . Accessed on 24 April 2020.
\item
  World Health Organization: Managing Epidemics-Key facts about major
  deadly diseases. Available at
  https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/managing-epidemics-interactive.pdf
  . Accessed on 22 April 2020.
\end{enumerate}

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