As medical science progresses and medicines and surgical techniques become progressively more sophisticated, their impact on the patient and society at large becomes less predictable and, at the same time, more impressive, where they are successful. In turning to modern medicine for solutions to their health problems, people are usually satisfied with the response that they receive. However, there remain certain illnesses which cannot be cured, and these are typically caused by pathogens known as viruses. Vaccine formulation development is an essential process in trying to counter viruses and their spread.
People may think that an ordinary antibiotic can kill a virus, but it isn't able to, since a virus is not like bacteria, in that it is non-biotic (i. E. It is not a living organism). Since it is a microscopic entity, it cannot be removed surgically or destroyed using other techniques. The only effective treatment is the use of 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.
These antibodies are the natural reaction to the viral infection. The immune system manufactures them in response to the virus' presence, and only the human body is able to do this. After the infection has been eliminated, the antibodies remain in the system, preventing relapses for the rest of the person's life. This is why vaccination has the potential to bring about permanent resistance (or immunity) to a specific virus.
This permanent resistance is the reason why young kids are vaccinated against certain obvious, common diseases, such as polio or measles. Once immunized, people remain safe fort he rest of their lives, since the antibodies are always present. Even extremely mundane, seemingly innocuous illnesses, such as smallpox, were immense threats to public health in the past and the introduction of effective vaccines was the main step in removing them from society.
Some very serious illnesses are caused by viruses, such as AIDS, Ebola, one of the two forms of meningitis, and, as mentioned previously, polio. All of these illnesses can cause permanent negative outcomes or even death. Trying to develop a vaccine to treat them is therefore an important activity in modern medicine, and one which sometimes enjoys attention in the media.
Once a vaccine has been formulated, however, the same virus may yet become a problem in the future. This occurs through the natural process of genetic mutation, during the reproduction of the virus. Viruses do this constantly, and so they may turn into a new form or strain, one which is not affected by the patient's antibodies. This sounds terrifying, but it is common. A prime example if the flu virus, which takes on a new strain every year, and so no vaccine has been developed for it. The common cold does the same. No pharmacological intervention lasts more than one season against these viruses, and immunization is therefore not a long-term solution to them.
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.
People may think that an ordinary antibiotic can kill a virus, but it isn't able to, since a virus is not like bacteria, in that it is non-biotic (i. E. It is not a living organism). Since it is a microscopic entity, it cannot be removed surgically or destroyed using other techniques. The only effective treatment is the use of 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.
These antibodies are the natural reaction to the viral infection. The immune system manufactures them in response to the virus' presence, and only the human body is able to do this. After the infection has been eliminated, the antibodies remain in the system, preventing relapses for the rest of the person's life. This is why vaccination has the potential to bring about permanent resistance (or immunity) to a specific virus.
This permanent resistance is the reason why young kids are vaccinated against certain obvious, common diseases, such as polio or measles. Once immunized, people remain safe fort he rest of their lives, since the antibodies are always present. Even extremely mundane, seemingly innocuous illnesses, such as smallpox, were immense threats to public health in the past and the introduction of effective vaccines was the main step in removing them from society.
Some very serious illnesses are caused by viruses, such as AIDS, Ebola, one of the two forms of meningitis, and, as mentioned previously, polio. All of these illnesses can cause permanent negative outcomes or even death. Trying to develop a vaccine to treat them is therefore an important activity in modern medicine, and one which sometimes enjoys attention in the media.
Once a vaccine has been formulated, however, the same virus may yet become a problem in the future. This occurs through the natural process of genetic mutation, during the reproduction of the virus. Viruses do this constantly, and so they may turn into a new form or strain, one which is not affected by the patient's antibodies. This sounds terrifying, but it is common. A prime example if the flu virus, which takes on a new strain every year, and so no vaccine has been developed for it. The common cold does the same. No pharmacological intervention lasts more than one season against these viruses, and immunization is therefore not a long-term solution to them.
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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