Hepatitis B virus. Image produced from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. CAVALLINI JAMES / BSIP/ SPL / mediadrumworld.com

By Rebecca Drew

KALEIDOSCOPIC images shed light on the viruses that could be lurking in the human body at any time.

Human herpesvirus (HSV). Image taken with transmission electron microscopy. HSV 1: causes orolabial herpes. HSV 2: causes genital herpes. HSV 3: causes chicken pox and shingles. HSV 4 or EBV: causes infectious mononucleosis and Burkitt’s lymphoma. HSV 5 or cytomegalovirus (CMV): causes mononucleosis syndrome. HSV 6: causes roseola. HSV 7: also causes roseola. HSV 8: causes Karposi’s sarcoma and lymphoma. CAVALLINI JAMES / BSIP/ SPL / mediadrumworld.com

The brightly coloured scans taken by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show shocking yellows, purples and blues of the influenza virus and the clashing pinks and greens of the flavivirus, a genus linked to yellow fever and the Zika virus.

Flavivirus seen by transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter around 40-50 nm. CAVALLINI JAMES / BSIP/ SPL / mediadrumworld.com

Other psychedelic pictures show Hepatitis A, B and C linked to liver infections up close and the cervical cancer causing papilloma virus (HPV).

 

Hepatitis A virus (HAV). Image produced from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. CAVALLINI JAMES / BSIP/ SPL / mediadrumworld.com

The vivid shots also scrutinise herpes and AIDS viruses. The pictures were taken by scientist Cavallini James using transmission electron microscopy.

 

HIV virus. Image produced from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter around 110 to 125 nm. CAVALLINI JAMES / BSIP/ SPL / mediadrumworld.com

For some viral diseases, vaccines and antiviral drugs have stopped certain infections, such as smallpox from becoming widespread and have seen them be eradicated. Influenza is one of the deadliest viruses.

Cytomegalovirus, it causes a mononucleosis syndrome. Image produced from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter around 200 nm. CAVALLINI JAMES / BSIP/ SPL / mediadrumworld.com

According to the Office of National Statistics in 2015, 529, 613 people died as a result of the virus, a rise of 28,189 people compared with 2014.