Viral Infections

Viral infection is caused by a virus present in the body. Various kinds of viruses can affect almost any part of the body thus, compromising any persons’ state of well being.  Viruses can infect any type of tissues in the human body from the smallest part up to the largest human organ.

Most viral infections don’t need antibiotic treatment since they can be worsened but, it can be treated with the body’s immune system.

The best way to fight viral infections is to pay attention to one’s well being with the help of:

• Proper body hydration
• Proper healthy diet
• Regular exercise
• Enough sleep
• Avoiding stress

Viral infections that can’t be easily treated with the body’s immune system can be treated but it must depend on the type of virus that infects and the location of the virus in the body.

Vaccination against Viruses

Ideally, antiviral drugs are administered into a persons’ body in the form of vaccine especially during the childhood years. However, some vaccine can administer to adults if it’s needed.

Vaccines are inactivated or dead microorganisms/organisms or purified products derived from them.

There are several types of vaccines for different strategies used to reduce risk of illness and retaining its ability to induce a beneficial response to immune system.

Vaccines may be monovalent or multivalent

Monovalent vaccine – immunization against a single antigen or single microorganism
multivalent vaccine – immunization against two or more microorganisms

Type of Vaccines

Toxoids  Vaccines – contains inactivated toxic compounds

Example vaccines are against:

• Tetanus
• Diphtheria

Killed Vaccines- contains killed microorganism

Example vaccines are against:

• Flu
• Polio
• Cholera
• Hepatitis A
• Bubonic plague

Subunit Vaccines – contains proteins or “whole agent”

Example vaccines are against:

• Hepatitis B
• human papillomavirus (HPV)

Conjugate Vaccine- contains polysaccharide

Example vaccines against:

• Haemophilus influenzae type B

Attenuated Vaccines – contains live attenuated virus microorganisms

Example vaccines are against:

• Measles
• Rubella
• Mumps
• Yellow fever

Experimental Vaccines – vaccines that are innovative and now in development

Example vaccines are:

• T-Cell Receptor
• DNA

Other serious viral infections can be treated with anti-viral drugs with the supervision of a general practitioner and/or a specialist.