The science of modern medicine may appear as sophisticated and technologically advanced to outside observers, and some techniques and pharmacological interventions lead to unstable outcomes or are difficult to forecast. Many patients are successfully treated by them. Yet there remain those illnesses which cannot be treated at all, and a significant proportion of the latter are the result of infection by what are known as viruses. The main imperative in approaching an untreatable virus is vaccine formulation development.
Unlike other pathogens, a virus cannot be destroyed by an antibiotic, since, technically it is not alive (i. E. Biotic in nature). Also, it is a germ, so it cannot be eliminated through mechanical techniques such as surgery or ultrasound. The only effective known intervention is a vaccine.
It operates on the basis of a very simple principle. It mimics infection by the targeted virus in the patient's body, and thereby encourages the body to develop viral anti-bodies. The body produces the anti-bodies as soon as it detects the vaccine.
Viral antibodies are the body's natural defence against viruses. They are particles manufactured by the immune system which destroy viral particles. Only the human body has the ability to manufacture antibodies, and once they are present, the person can never be infected by that same virus again. Successful vaccination therefore enables the body to develop permanent resistance to a virus.
The process of the immunization of infants and young kids is based on this principle. They are typically immunized against common yet serious diseases like measles and polio. Immunization has become a standard practice, yet it is necessary. Smallpox and polio, two supposedly archaic names, used to be substantial threats to public health and maimed, disfigured or killed many people.
Some of the most serious diseases are viral in nature, such as the notorious Ebola, AIDS, viral meningitis (which sets in within 48 hours and has terrible symptoms), and, as stated above, polio. These are all potentially lethal infections. The development of vaccines to counter them is thus of extreme importance.
Over time, however, a virus may mutate and return to a medication-resistant state. It either mutates into a new genetic form (strain), or simply develops resistance against the patient's antibodies. As frightening as this may sound, it is an ongoing phenomenon, as seen, for example, in the case of the influenza virus, which presents in a new strain every year. There is no immunization process against it because it mutates too quickly.
Ultimately, people should realize that a vaccine is only part of the solution to public infection and epidemics. If they are to be safe, people should also try to exercise sound personal health habits. Many illnesses, such as AIDS, can be prevented through basic practical precautions, and relying on science to produce cures is not always an option or even sensible.
Unlike other pathogens, a virus cannot be destroyed by an antibiotic, since, technically it is not alive (i. E. Biotic in nature). Also, it is a germ, so it cannot be eliminated through mechanical techniques such as surgery or ultrasound. The only effective known intervention is a vaccine.
It operates on the basis of a very simple principle. It mimics infection by the targeted virus in the patient's body, and thereby encourages the body to develop viral anti-bodies. The body produces the anti-bodies as soon as it detects the vaccine.
Viral antibodies are the body's natural defence against viruses. They are particles manufactured by the immune system which destroy viral particles. Only the human body has the ability to manufacture antibodies, and once they are present, the person can never be infected by that same virus again. Successful vaccination therefore enables the body to develop permanent resistance to a virus.
The process of the immunization of infants and young kids is based on this principle. They are typically immunized against common yet serious diseases like measles and polio. Immunization has become a standard practice, yet it is necessary. Smallpox and polio, two supposedly archaic names, used to be substantial threats to public health and maimed, disfigured or killed many people.
Some of the most serious diseases are viral in nature, such as the notorious Ebola, AIDS, viral meningitis (which sets in within 48 hours and has terrible symptoms), and, as stated above, polio. These are all potentially lethal infections. The development of vaccines to counter them is thus of extreme importance.
Over time, however, a virus may mutate and return to a medication-resistant state. It either mutates into a new genetic form (strain), or simply develops resistance against the patient's antibodies. As frightening as this may sound, it is an ongoing phenomenon, as seen, for example, in the case of the influenza virus, which presents in a new strain every year. There is no immunization process against it because it mutates too quickly.
Ultimately, people should realize that a vaccine is only part of the solution to public infection and epidemics. If they are to be safe, people should also try to exercise sound personal health habits. Many illnesses, such as AIDS, can be prevented through basic practical precautions, and relying on science to produce cures is not always an option or even sensible.
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