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.
Every year, millions of persons around
the globe fall sick and some die from some
form of viral infections.
How viruses attack the body?
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.
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.
Two conventional treatment options
to viral threat
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.
Vaccines may consist of:
a. Agents that have reduced ability to infect the patient
b. Dead viruses
c. Substances that stimulate production of antibodies
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).
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.
