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.
The principle behind a vaccine is extremely simple. It is similar to the virus in question, so it elicits the same response in the patient's body, but it does not have the same serious or lethal outcome. It therefore causes the body to start producing antibodies, once the immune system has registered that the virus-like particles are in the system.
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 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.
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.
But despite the possibility or existence of vaccines, people should still respect their health. The maintenance of a responsible lifestyle is important. Some diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, are entirely preventable through sound health practices. In fact, for some viruses there is no vaccine, and dependence on a medical cure is not advisable or even possible.
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.
The principle behind a vaccine is extremely simple. It is similar to the virus in question, so it elicits the same response in the patient's body, but it does not have the same serious or lethal outcome. It therefore causes the body to start producing antibodies, once the immune system has registered that the virus-like particles are in the system.
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 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.
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.
But despite the possibility or existence of vaccines, people should still respect their health. The maintenance of a responsible lifestyle is important. Some diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, are entirely preventable through sound health practices. In fact, for some viruses there is no vaccine, and dependence on a medical cure is not advisable or even possible.
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