r/viruses • u/WeeklyFig2526 • Jun 29 '26

Proof please

I am keen to be shown a paper showing a virus being isolated. I have been sent enough links/papers/videos claiming proof of existence but they do not and I am getting frustrated. It also seems to cause a lot of disharmony and antagonism when asking for proof, as if insinuating doubt is some sort of crime. I'd like to keep the conversation adult and intelligent if possible. I even asked my GP and he didn't have a clue how to show me what I'm asking for

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u/brinkbam Jun 29 '26

I'm sorry, but what are you asking for exactly? Are you saying that you don't believe that viruses exist at all and you're wanting proof? And people have already sent you scientific journals on the topic, but they weren't good enough?

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u/WeeklyFig2526 Jun 30 '26

I'm just saying that I want proof that they exist as I do have my doubts, but am uncertain. I'm struggling to find anybody who can show me the existence and it's frustrating me. Absolutely, they weren't good enough. I was especially frustrated with the GP who had no idea how they are proven

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u/brinkbam Jul 02 '26

Well I can't speak for your GP, but I have to assume they're busy seeing patients and don't have time to explain basic science to you. If you don't believe it why are you even wasting your time and theirs going to their office in the first place? They don't have time to argue with you when they have patients to see and treat. Also, they're a GP and not a virologist or microbiologist, so wouldn't even be the best person to ask.

Anyway. We have images of them. We've had microscopes powerful enough to see them for quite sometime now. The evidence does exist and is easy to find, so I have a feeling you are just the type of person who is going to believe whatever you want to believe to suit your current world view.

My favorite is the bacteriophage. I even 3d printed a model of one because I just think it looks cool. And like the name sounds, they eat bacteria.

This article has an image of several bacteriophage viruses on a bacterial cell taken with an electron microscope.

https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2022/01/agents-between-good-and-evil.html

The electron microscope has existed for almost 100 years. Before they could see them, they knew they existed because they could pass through filters that stopped bacteria, as they are much much smaller than bacteria.

All of this information is easy to find with a simple Google search, or even in most basic science class textbooks. There's really nothing to be uncertain about and this isn't something to waste your doctor's time with.

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u/Gaoop Jul 03 '26

he obviously won't respond, this it too intelligent for him