Virus like acidic environments but Acid kills viruses?

[cellblast]

I dont get it?

 

They say virus and bacteria grow in the body when its acid, sugar etc can feed the virus and the body becomes more acidic.

 

But its stated that absorbic acid and vinegar etc kill viruses due to the acid.

 

Can someone explain this to a non biochemistry guy

 

thanks

[Elite Engineer]

Not all bacteria are susceptible to low pH (acidic conditions). Generally, most bacteria are susceptible to acidic conditions, but there are always exceptions..these bacteria are known as "acdiophiles"(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidophile).

 

Take the bacterium. H. pylori for example, this bacteria thrives at a pH of 2 (very acidic), and is known to colonize in the human gut, which causesstomach ulcers. I'm not sure about viruses though..never heard of a virus that can withstand acidic conditions.

 

FYI, there are bacteria that can live perfectly well in radioactive conditions as they have very, very efficient enzymes that correct DNA damage via radioactive mutation, preventing them from dying.

 

~EE

Edited July 17, 2016 by Elite Engineer

[John Cuthber]

 

 

They say virus and bacteria grow in the body when its acid, ...

 

 

Who says this, and do they know what they are talking about?

[URB]

I think the most important thing is whether viruses are incorporated by endocytosis into the cells.

When viruses are incorporated, they are transported to the acidic environment in the cells. Some viruses are covered with viral envelopes to protect their protein capsids. In acid condition, viral envelops are degraded and after that, viral DNA, RNA and proteins are released out of viral envelops. This released DNA and RNA are used for proliferation of viruses. So, acidic environment is necessary for incorporated viruses to proliferate.

On the other hand, such an acidic environment is lethal for not incorporated viruses because not incorporated viruses release their DNA or RNA to the extracellular region not to host's nucleus, so in the case they can't proliferate.

[cellblast]

I see yeh i meant virus only not bacteria.

 

So Ive read online vitamin C absorbic acid can kill like 99% all virus in high dose. I had viral infection and it seemed to work.

 

Its also said one can kill most harmful bacteria with Garlic.

 

So combining Garlic + Vitamin C one would think would be a good way to keep good health or use in times of needs. Even better than going to the doctor.

 

Im a maths/physics guy so the RNA/DNA comment thing kinda going over my head though i do make some sense of it.

 

So you are saying there are two different types of virus?