Tiniest Germ Destruction
Everything in this world has a something that it's weak against, even in the microbial world.
In the micro world all cells have a little monster, these monsters are viruses.
Viruses are very small complex structures that are obligate parasites, means they need a host cell to function.
Since viruses require a host cell, this makes them hard to destroy or eradicate; in-turn making antiviral drugs hard to produce.
To understand the main concept behind anti-viral medicines, first you must know a little about what viruses are, and how they function.
Here are some general facts about viruses: they are not alive by themselves, contain DNA or RNA, attach to specific host cells, are covered in capsules made of proteins (capsids), release viral genes, and replicate.
As mentioned earlier anti-viral drugs are hard to produce, due to the fact that in order to destroy most viruses, the host cell must be destroyed.
As modern research continues, scientists try to develop anti-viral drugs that target specific viral proteins, or at least parts of these proteins that can be defused.
When developing anti-viral medications, it is very important to select very unique and specific viral proteins to target.
It is important to note that some proteins that are found viruses are also found in humans, and are vital so disabling these proteins with drugs would in-turn cause harmful side-effects.
At the same time these proteins must be general and found in common amongst most virus strains.
Antiviral drugs differ greatly from antibiotics because antibiotics target bacteria, which are living microorganisms, and are much easier kill than a virus.
Antiviral drugs are taken mainly in two forms: vaccination, and oral medication.
Vaccines work by boosting the body's immune system to neutralize a virus before it infects cells, also called "complete particle stage.
" Vaccines inoculate a weak or disabled virus into the body, causing a quick response from the body's immune system, in most cases without doing harm to the patient.
Since the body is now inoculated with a weak virus and has been completely blocked by the immune system, when a live virus of that strain or family infects us, the immune system will respond by producing antibodies that will kill the virus and have a greater possibility to prevent the infection.
Oral anti-viral drugs on the other hand, should be taken at immediate signs of a viral infection, and must complete the correct dosage by the amount of time prescribed by your doctor.
Oral anti-viral medications may be used as prevention, but do not always have the same assurance as a vaccine, oral anti-viral drugs are used mainly for treatment, unlike vaccines which are strictly for preventative treatments.
If you develop an infection, visit your primary care physician who will determine if you have a viral or bacterial infection, and prescribe the appropriate treatment for you.
In the micro world all cells have a little monster, these monsters are viruses.
Viruses are very small complex structures that are obligate parasites, means they need a host cell to function.
Since viruses require a host cell, this makes them hard to destroy or eradicate; in-turn making antiviral drugs hard to produce.
To understand the main concept behind anti-viral medicines, first you must know a little about what viruses are, and how they function.
Here are some general facts about viruses: they are not alive by themselves, contain DNA or RNA, attach to specific host cells, are covered in capsules made of proteins (capsids), release viral genes, and replicate.
As mentioned earlier anti-viral drugs are hard to produce, due to the fact that in order to destroy most viruses, the host cell must be destroyed.
As modern research continues, scientists try to develop anti-viral drugs that target specific viral proteins, or at least parts of these proteins that can be defused.
When developing anti-viral medications, it is very important to select very unique and specific viral proteins to target.
It is important to note that some proteins that are found viruses are also found in humans, and are vital so disabling these proteins with drugs would in-turn cause harmful side-effects.
At the same time these proteins must be general and found in common amongst most virus strains.
Antiviral drugs differ greatly from antibiotics because antibiotics target bacteria, which are living microorganisms, and are much easier kill than a virus.
Antiviral drugs are taken mainly in two forms: vaccination, and oral medication.
Vaccines work by boosting the body's immune system to neutralize a virus before it infects cells, also called "complete particle stage.
" Vaccines inoculate a weak or disabled virus into the body, causing a quick response from the body's immune system, in most cases without doing harm to the patient.
Since the body is now inoculated with a weak virus and has been completely blocked by the immune system, when a live virus of that strain or family infects us, the immune system will respond by producing antibodies that will kill the virus and have a greater possibility to prevent the infection.
Oral anti-viral drugs on the other hand, should be taken at immediate signs of a viral infection, and must complete the correct dosage by the amount of time prescribed by your doctor.
Oral anti-viral medications may be used as prevention, but do not always have the same assurance as a vaccine, oral anti-viral drugs are used mainly for treatment, unlike vaccines which are strictly for preventative treatments.
If you develop an infection, visit your primary care physician who will determine if you have a viral or bacterial infection, and prescribe the appropriate treatment for you.
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