Tuesday, July 08, 2008
New medicines continue the fight against long-standing viruses
There are many ways to characterize an infection; which organ or body part it effects, whether it began in a healthcare facility or the community, if it’s an acute infection or longstanding are just a few.
But the most important is the type of organism that is causing the infection. The four most common causes, or pathogens, are bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
Oddly enough, of the four pathogens, viruses are not classified as living. Viruses need a host to survive; in fact they can only survive inside of the cells of other living things. This not only makes them very unique, but also very hard to get rid of.
By hiding out inside the cells of a host, they remain somewhat protected from the body’s immune system and from any antiviral medication that may be flowing through the blood stream.
Some viral infections come and go rather quickly like the common flu, which typically lasts 5-7 days. Other viral infections stay with you your whole life.
As Dr. Anthony Alessi explained in last week’s column, Varicella-zoster virus causes chicken-pox in the young, then hides out in sensory nerve cells for the decades to come. Most people will never experience any problems from the virus again, but some folks will develop a painful rash called shingles later in life from that very same virus.
A few decades ago there were very few antiviral drugs available to treat viral infections. In fact, vaccines have been -- and still remain -- a major focus of viral research.
The success of viral vaccines is among the greatest accomplishments of modern medicine. Polio and measles vaccines have virtually eliminated those diseases. Rabies vaccine has turned a disease that is one of the oldest and once most feared in history to a condition that only takes a few shots to take care of. Most recently, a vaccine to prevent the human papillomavirus (HPV), Gardesil, has been developed and will decrease the occurrence of cervical cancer.
While vaccine research and development continues to move forward, new antiviral medications have been developed in the last few years.
Drugs to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have led the way. There are now over 18 medications available when only a half-dozen existed 10 years ago. The last decade has also seen new treatments for the virus that causes hepatitis and the first-ever drug indicated to treat the common flu, Tamiflu (oseltamivir).
As you can see, viruses are very unique organisms that cause all sorts of human diseases. Although challenging to treat, modern medicine continues to move forward to meet that challenge.
The most important thing you can do to treat viral infections is to take your medications properly. Similar to bacteria and antibiotic drugs, not taking the full prescription can lead to treatment failures and medication resistance.
Michael Smith is a pharmacist and Clinical Coordinator in the Department of Pharmacy Services at The William W. Backus Hospital. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, go to the Healthy Living blog at backushospital.org or E-mail Smith and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving.org.
But the most important is the type of organism that is causing the infection. The four most common causes, or pathogens, are bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
Oddly enough, of the four pathogens, viruses are not classified as living. Viruses need a host to survive; in fact they can only survive inside of the cells of other living things. This not only makes them very unique, but also very hard to get rid of.
By hiding out inside the cells of a host, they remain somewhat protected from the body’s immune system and from any antiviral medication that may be flowing through the blood stream.
Some viral infections come and go rather quickly like the common flu, which typically lasts 5-7 days. Other viral infections stay with you your whole life.
As Dr. Anthony Alessi explained in last week’s column, Varicella-zoster virus causes chicken-pox in the young, then hides out in sensory nerve cells for the decades to come. Most people will never experience any problems from the virus again, but some folks will develop a painful rash called shingles later in life from that very same virus.
A few decades ago there were very few antiviral drugs available to treat viral infections. In fact, vaccines have been -- and still remain -- a major focus of viral research.
The success of viral vaccines is among the greatest accomplishments of modern medicine. Polio and measles vaccines have virtually eliminated those diseases. Rabies vaccine has turned a disease that is one of the oldest and once most feared in history to a condition that only takes a few shots to take care of. Most recently, a vaccine to prevent the human papillomavirus (HPV), Gardesil, has been developed and will decrease the occurrence of cervical cancer.
While vaccine research and development continues to move forward, new antiviral medications have been developed in the last few years.
Drugs to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have led the way. There are now over 18 medications available when only a half-dozen existed 10 years ago. The last decade has also seen new treatments for the virus that causes hepatitis and the first-ever drug indicated to treat the common flu, Tamiflu (oseltamivir).
As you can see, viruses are very unique organisms that cause all sorts of human diseases. Although challenging to treat, modern medicine continues to move forward to meet that challenge.
The most important thing you can do to treat viral infections is to take your medications properly. Similar to bacteria and antibiotic drugs, not taking the full prescription can lead to treatment failures and medication resistance.
Michael Smith is a pharmacist and Clinical Coordinator in the Department of Pharmacy Services at The William W. Backus Hospital. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, go to the Healthy Living blog at backushospital.org or E-mail Smith and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving.org.
# posted by ----------------- @ 11:10 AM 
