What are viruses?

 

Viruses are tiny infectious, parasitic short chain

proteins that are incapable of replication or survival 

outside a living host cell or body. 

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Every year, millions of persons around

the globe fall sick and some die from some
form of viral infections.

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How viruses attack the body?

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Often virus (eg Dengue) in humans often enter the body

through the blood stream i.e. through mosquito sting or other

blood sucking insects. However, most contagion is caused by

human to human transmission. Respiratory viruses, such as

Influenza (flu) or Corona virus are transmitted via entry through

mucous membranes such as, eyes, mouth, nose, ears.

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When viruses enters the body, they try to enter the human cells.

If the immune system response is weak, the body will not be

able to destroy these compromised cells efficiently.

Once inside the cell, the virus will seek to reproduce inside by

hijacking the cells own replication mechanisms. Viruses cannot survive 

for more than a few minutes outside the cell.

 

When a virus is able to replicate within the human cell, it eventually bursts the cells, releasing its replicated RNA or DNA into the blood stream through which it migrates to infect other cells or organs of the body.

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Two conventional treatment options

to viral threat

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1. PREVENTION RESPONSE: VACCINATION

The intent of vaccination is to alert/prepare the immune

system to prepare for a full blown viral attack.

 

The vaccination process involves exposing the

immune system to some weakened form of the viral agent.

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Vaccines may consist of:

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a. Agents that have reduced ability to infect the patient

b. Dead viruses

c. Substances that stimulate production of antibodies

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For example, in the case of Influenza (common flu) prevention,

it is generally recommended that all persons receive a flu vaccine every flu season, (once every year).

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2. THERAPEUTIC RESPONSE: ANTI-VIRAL DRUGS

Antivirals are designed to interrupt the viruses' ability to successfully replicate by supplying incorrect DNA sequencing material which the virus incorporates into its DNA structure. This renders the virus neutered - ineffective.