11. Polio

Due to having developed vaccines, the U.S. hasn’t seen a Polio outbreak in decades. It recently made a comeback in a huge way over in Nigeria, and it is still seen in otherwise underdeveloped countries. This virus is somewhat methodical in nature. Since it is contracted through the mouth, it first attacks the throat and the intestinal tract, causing (what else?) severe pain and discomfort which gradually intensifies as the virus moves into the body’s lymphatic system where it multiplies rapidly, and finally makes its way into the bloodstream and central nervous system. As it begins to attack the spine and the brain, the nature of one’s sufferance increases drastically, paralysis occurs, and because it paralyzes the muscles and systems required to breathe, one is then slowly suffocated by their inability to take in oxygen. If identified quickly enough, symptoms can be managed through supportive treatment, but there is no cure.

10. Marburg Virus

If you thought Ebola was horrifying, the Marburg Virus gives it a serious run for its money. Mimicking many of the same outward symptoms, it is an extremely serious hemorrhagic fever which attacks the body’s ability to coagulate blood. There is no vaccine and no cure. It is such a dangerous virus, where death often occurs within two weeks of exposure, and the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention has listed it as a Category A Bioterrorism Agent— meaning, it’s so easy to spread, the CDC has concerns of it being used for biological warfare. Symptoms might sound like they belong to a run-of-the-mill flu virus because they include sore throat, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, and joint and muscle pain, but don’t forget the internal bleeding. And while you’re at it, go ahead and multiply the misery by about ten.

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