Why viral diseases are difficult to treat

And because viruses have different "keys" to break into cells, there are fewer common targets for drugs to block infections. Even when antiviral drugs are available for some viruses, they don't necessarily cure the infection. Drugs used to treat HIV, for instance, are effective at suppressing virus replication but don't eradicate it.

Seasonal influenza can be treated with an antiviral medication called Tamiflu, which can help shorten the duration of the illness, but it's common to be able to detect the virus even after a patient recovers, Lauring said.

Perhaps the only virus that can truly be cured by drugs is hepatitis C, according to Rice, resulting in the virus being eradicated after treatment. The resilience of viruses is what has made them such a menace throughout history, from flu pandemics to outbreaks of Ebola. And their ability to rapidly evolve, combined with the challenges of developing treatments and cures, will ensure that they remain a significant threat.

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Politics Covid U. News World Opinion Business. Many viruses that were once present in only a few parts of the world are now spreading. These viruses include chikungunya virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Rift Valley Fever virus, West Nile virus, Ross River virus, Zika virus Zika Virus Infection Zika virus infection is a mosquito-borne viral infection that typically causes no symptoms but can cause fever, rash, joint pain, or infection of the membrane that covers the white of the eye These viruses are spreading partly because climate change has resulted in more areas where the mosquitoes that spread the viruses can live.

Also, travelers may be infected, then return home and be bitten by a mosquito, which spreads the virus to other people. When a virus enters the body, it triggers the body's immune defenses. These defenses begin with white blood cells White blood cells The immune system is designed to defend the body against foreign or dangerous invaders.

Such invaders include Microorganisms commonly called germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi Parasites If the body survives the virus attack, some of the white blood cells remember the invader and are able to respond more quickly and effectively to a subsequent infection by the same virus. This response is called immunity. Immunity can also be produced by getting a vaccine Overview of Immunization Immunization enables the body to better defend itself against diseases caused by certain bacteria or viruses.

Immunity the ability of the body to defend itself against diseases caused by certain Some viruses alter the DNA of their host cells in a way that helps cancer develop. Some viruses, such as herpesviruses Overview of Herpesvirus Infections Some common viral infections are caused by herpesviruses.

When the cell is disturbed, the virus may begin replicating again and cause disease. Common viral infections such as measles Measles Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes various cold-like symptoms and a characteristic rash. Measles is caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, hacking cough For infections that occur in epidemics such as influenza Influenza Flu Influenza flu is a viral infection of the lungs and airways with one of the influenza viruses.

For other infections, blood tests and cultures growing microorganisms in the laboratory from samples of blood, body fluid, or other material taken from an infected area may be done. Polymerase chain reaction PCR techniques may be used to make many copies of the viral genetic material.

PCR techniques make it easier for doctors to rapidly and accurately identify the virus. Blood may also be tested for antigens, which are proteins on or in viruses that trigger the body's defense. Blood may also be tested for antibodies Antibodies One of the body's lines of defense immune system involves white blood cells leukocytes that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to help defend the body against a particular attack.

Tests are usually done quickly, especially when the infection is a serious threat to public health or when symptoms are severe. A sample of blood or other tissues is sometimes examined with an electron microscope, which provides high magnification with clear resolution.

A viral infection can lead to a spectrum of symptoms from Vaccines and immune globulins help the body better defend itself against diseases caused by certain viruses or bacteria. The process of strengthening the body's defenses is called immunization Overview of Immunization Immunization enables the body to better defend itself against diseases caused by certain bacteria or viruses. People can help prevent many viral infections by commonsense measures to protect themselves and others personal protective measures.

These measures vary depending on the how the virus is spread. Measures include the following:. Sneezing and coughing into tissues which should be thrown away or into the upper arm, completely covering the mouth and nose.

Preventing bites by ticks Preventing Tick Bites Lyme disease is a tick-transmitted infection caused by Borrelia species, primarily by Borrelia burgdorferi and sometimes by Borrelia mayonii in the United States.

These spiral-shaped bacteria Vaccines Overview of Immunization Immunization enables the body to better defend itself against diseases caused by certain bacteria or viruses.

Vaccines are given before exposure to a virus to prevent infection. Typically, hepatitis A is less serious than hepatitis B. Hepatitis A often causes no symptoms, although it can cause fever, nausea Hepatitis B Hepatitis B Vaccine The hepatitis B vaccine helps protect against hepatitis B and its complications chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Generally, hepatitis B is more serious than hepatitis A and Influenza Influenza Vaccine The influenza virus vaccine helps protect against influenza. Two types of influenza virus, type A and type B, regularly cause seasonal epidemics of influenza in the United States. There are Measles, mumps, and rubella Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine The measles, mumps, and rubella MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine that helps protect against these three serious viral infections.

The vaccine contains live but weakened measles, mumps Polio Polio Vaccine The polio vaccine protects against polio, a very contagious viral infection that affects the spinal cord and brain. Polio can cause permanent muscle weakness, paralysis, and sometimes death Rabies Rabies Rabies is a viral infection of the brain that is transmitted by animals and that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Rotavirus Rotavirus Vaccine The rotavirus vaccine is a live-virus vaccine that helps protect against gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus, which causes vomiting, diarrhea, and, if symptoms persist, dehydration and organ Varicella Varicella Vaccine The varicella vaccine helps protect against chickenpox varicella , a very contagious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It causes an itchy rash that looks like small blisters with Shingles herpes zoster Herpes Zoster Vaccine There are two herpes zoster vaccines.

The newer herpes zoster vaccine is preferred over the older herpes zoster vaccine because it provides better and longer-lasting protection. The newer vaccine Yellow fever Prevention Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that occurs mainly in the tropics. Yellow fever occurs only in the tropical areas of Central Africa, southern Panama, and South America.

Some people A smallpox vaccine Smallpox Vaccine In the United States, routine vaccination with the smallpox vaccine was stopped in because smallpox had been eliminated in the United States. The last known case in the world occurred in Viral diseases can be eradicated by good vaccines. Smallpox Smallpox Smallpox is a highly contagious, very deadly disease caused by the variola virus. While drug discovery and development can take years—even decades—a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 is far more likely to be available within one or two years.

Small clinical trials are underway, it will likely be the fall before larger trials can begin. According to the World Health Organization there are 47 vaccine candidates and two of these are in human safety trials. But as a pharmacist, Kyle recognizes there is a dichotomy. Or will they be opposed, like many are with other vaccinations? While a vaccine would be the greatest pharmaceutical measure to prevent the spread of viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, the best steps we can take to prevent illness and the disease are simple.

For more stories like this, follow us on Twitter , Facebook , and see interprofessional education in action on Instagram. We use cookies to improve our site, personalize content and serve more relevant advertising on other platforms. View our privacy policy. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions.

Request Appointment. Bacterial vs. Products and services. What's the difference between a bacterial infection and a viral infection? Answer From Pritish K. Tosh, M. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Antimicrobial drug resistance.