Antivirals

= =  __Antiviral drugs__ __Definitions__ __Antiviral drug:__ medicine used to cure viral infections __Viral infections:__ diseases that are transmitted through a virus as opposed to bacteria. __[|Viruses] vs. [|bacteria]__ Bacteria are prokaryotic cells (meaning that they are living organism). On the other hand, viruses are non living organisms that need a host cell in order for them to nurture, reproduce and spread throughout the human body.  ** Because bacteria do not live in cells, they can be killed with different types of medicine, however, the majority of antibiotics and other drugs cannot cure viral infections because none of these medicines are able to kill cells (if they do, they’ll kill the human body). ** __How do antiviral drugs work?__ A) Reproduction prevention  As explained before, antiviral drugs do not kill host cells because that would eventually kill the person with the certain viral disease, instead antiviral drugs block certain steps that virus go through when reproducing. Antiviral drugs usually attack the virus when it’s reproducing its genetic material. The drugs act as RNA (ribonucleic acid) or DNA nucleotides which deactivate the enzymes that help build up the RNA or DNA structure.   B) Inhibiting enzymes in host cell Once the host cell is infected with the virus, it produces enzymes that help the virus to develop. Antiviral drugs block these enzymes so that the virus can no longer reproduce. __HIV__ __Definition__: Human Immunodeficiency Virus destroys T-cells. T-cells are specialized white cells used to kill infections in the body. HIV lessens the number of T-cells in the body, making the body more vulnerable. __Why is it difficult to defeat HIV?__ A) Viral disease  We have already seen that a virus needs a host cell in order to live, HIV is no different. HIV binds to T-cells in order to kill them and need the cell’s nutrients and enzymes in order to reproduce. Antiviral drugs can be harmful to both the host and T-cells which would inhibit the reproduction of HIV but it would also weaken the human immune system further.   B) Cost <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The first drug against HIV was tested in 1994 and it is called protease inhibitors. These antiviral drugs inhibit the enzyme used to build up the virus’ DNA which stops its reproduction. However, this drug is extremely expensive. There has been a trend for the last few years which shows that those belonging to lower economic classes are more prone to get infected with HIV. Thus, if the only antiviral which helps combat HIV is expensive, most people infected with this virus will not be able to afford it which increases the spread and the deaths pertaining to HIV. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">C) Social implications  <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">HIV victims are harshly segregated by society. This discrimination is mostly the product of ignorance and fear. In some countries, HIV victims are not allowed to go to school or get a job. Many cultures claim that segregating HIV patients is the best way to stop the spread of this virus therefore they do not seek other medication. If society closes its doors to new ways to defeat HIV, there is no way that scientists would be able to discover new ways to stop this virus.