Q's Health News

Viruses can cause a host of different illnesses, from the common cold to influenza, to hand-foot-and-mouth disease, to Ebola. Viruses are fascinating little particles. Scientists have debated whether viruses are living or non-living organisms for decades! Scientists have a list of criteria used to determine if an organism is living or non-living. One of the criteria is that living things have cells. Well, viruses do NOT have cells. They have a protein coat that protects their genetic material. Another criterion is that living things reproduce. Viruses do not actually have the tools to reproduce, to make a copy of their DNA. Instead, when a virus infects a host, the virus inserts its genetic material into a host cell. The virus then hijacks the host’s cellular equipment to copy its viral genetic material. This is why viruses are said to “replicate” instead of to reproduce. A third criterion for living things is that they use energy. On its own, a virus does not use energy. Outside a host, the virus is dormant and can stay in this state for an extended period, until it comes in contact with the appropriate host; when the virus then activates. When inside the host cell, the virus relies on the host to provide the energy for replication. Living things can adapt to their environment, which viruses can do. Some viruses mutate so quickly, like the human immunodeficiency virus, researchers are not able to create drugs or vaccines to combat it. There are a few other complex criteria to qualify as a living being, but viruses continue to confound scientists. However, as scientists continue to study viruses, they may eventually reach a final answer to this question. (Reference: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/cells/viruses/a/are-viruses-dead-or-alive)

Due to a virus’s unique characteristics, or lack of characteristics, scientists haven’t been able to develop a medication to kill it. Antibiotics were developed to kill bacteria that infect a host. However, antibiotics work by affecting characteristics bacterial cells have that human cells do not have. For example, many bacteria have cell walls, while human cells do not. The antibiotic penicillin works by keeping the bacteria from building a cell wall. However, antibiotics are useless against viruses. Scientists have developed anti-viral medications, which do not kill the virus but instead work to shut down the replicating process. This way no more viruses are made. (Reference: https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/microbiome/antibiotics/)

Even though scientists have been unable to develop a medication to kill viruses, there has been a multitude of vaccines created to ward off viral infections! The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus contracted through sexual intercourse. There are multiple strains of HPV, some lead to genital warts, while others can lead to cancer. However, the vaccine Gardasil 9 has been developed to prevent the infection of HPV!

Vaccines work by training the immune system to recognize pathogens – viruses or bacteria. Vaccines contain antigens from the virus or bacteria it is meant to protect you against. When you receive a vaccine, the antigen triggers an immune response in your body. This way, your immune system safely, and without developing symptoms of the disease, learns to recognize them as hostile invaders, produce antibodies, and remember the antigen for the future. This way, when you come in contact with that virus or bacteria in the future, your immune system immediately recognizes the antigen and aggressively attacks it before it can spread and cause you to be sick! (Reference: https://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/understanding-vaccines/vaccines-work/)

As I said earlier, influenza is caused by a virus. Lucky for us, scientists have developed a vaccine to help prevent us from getting sick from the influenza virus! It is recommended to get a yearly vaccination, because the influenza virus is one that changes rapidly, and the antigen used in last year’s vaccine may not be the same as the strains seen this year. It is also important to vaccinate yourself to develop herd immunity. Not everyone can get vaccinated. Infants and those with immune systems that are compromised by disease or medications, can not get immunized. The only way they get protection is to rely on us to keep the infection away by being vaccinated. The influenza virus is spreading around Montana. It is not too late in the year to get vaccinated. Visit your local public health department, clinic, or pharmacy to inquire about getting vaccinated!

Thanks for joining me this month! If you have questions or comments, you can find me at the Carter County Public Health office in DMHA or email me at [email protected].