Unit 12: diseases and infections.
Part C.
Treatment methods for diseases.
Antiviral.
Antiviral medications are medications that only treat viral infections. Certain
antiviral meditations treat lots of different viruses, but some antiviral
medications only treat a limited number of viral infections. Antiviral
medications usually ease the symptoms of a viral infection, but they can also
stop the virus from spreading between people or within a person’s own body.
Antiviral medications work by stopping the reproduction of new virus cells
and prevent the taking over of healthy body cells. Antivirals work by blocking and preventing the
receptors that bind with the virus cells that help it to reproduce and create more virus cells. By
blocking these receptors, the virus cells cannot spread as the virus will not be able to take over a
host cell and reproduce. Antiviral medication also gives the immune system a boost, which helps the
body’s own antibodies fight of the virus cells within the body. Antiviral medications minimise the
activity of the virus cells so the viral load in the body would be lower. Antiviral medications work by
preventing the virus’s DNA to synthesise, meaning that new virus cells cannot be produced. This is
because when DNA synthesis occurs, proteins are formed which allows the virus cells to bind with
host cells to reproduce. Without the DNA synthesis, proteins cannot be formed, and new virus cells
cannot be formed as well. Antivirals do not kill the virus cells in the body directly. They supress the
virus cell’s ability to multiply and take over new hosts cells and spread. This is done by stopping and
blocking the molecular functions and interactions from the virus to reproduce and create clones of
itself. Antivirals are most effective during the reproduction of viruses as this is where antiviral
medicines can block the reproduction of virus cells. Sometimes antiviral medications will not work
on a person due to antiviral resistance. If a person experiences prolonged exposure to antiviral
medications, then the constant viral reproduction and replication for immunosuppression would
cause resistance, meaning that the antiviral medication that you are taking would become
ineffective. This is because the virus structure would change. If the virus structure changes a lot,
then the antiviral medication will not be able to stop the reproduction of new virus cells. This is
because the antiviral medication will not be able to notice the original virus structure which means
that they cannot get rid of the virus cells within the body. Also, there is another type of resistance
called spontaneous resistance. This means that the virus cells would develop antiviral resistance for
no reason, meaning that the virus cells can continue to multiply without any effect from the antiviral
medication. The cause of spontaneous resistance is not known and can develop randomly within a
person’s body. Antiviral medications are usually suitable for everyone to take. However, some
antivirals are not suitable for everyone to take. Antiviral medications are only suitable and given to
people in the early stages of a viral infection. This is because antivirals work in the replication of the
virus life cycle and not usually in any other stage. If you have a viral infection for quite some time,
sometimes antivirals will not be prescribed or given to you. This is due to the infectivity that it would
have on getting rid of the virus cells in the body. Women who are breastfeeding should not take
certain types of higher doses of antiviral medications as it can damage the health of the baby. Also,
pregnant women should not take certain antiviral medications as they can damage the health of the
baby, by causing problems with their health when they are born. Children under the age of 18
cannot take certain antivirals due to the severe long-term effects that it can cause them. People who
are allergic to some of the ingredients that make up the antivirals should not take them due to the
1
,risk of another allergic reaction. If a person has not got any of the above conditions, then they can
take any antiviral medication that is suitable for their viral infection. Ebola is a disease that is caused
by a virus pathogen. This disease is treated by a wide range of antiviral medications. Antiviral
medications are used to treat Ebola by blocking the Ebola virus cells from replicating in a host cell
and from multiplying to spread within the body. These treatment methods are effective for treating
Ebola as the drugs target the viruses DNA and RNA strands. This is effective in stopping the spread of
the Ebola disease. Also, stronger Ebola antiviral medications directly kill the virus cells causing it to
be effective against the Ebola virus, by completely getting rid of all traces of the Ebola virus cells.
However, some antiviral medications are not effective against Ebola specifically so certain
medications would have to be given to treat Ebola. Giving ineffective medications can lead to
problems with a persons body systems or that some of the strains Ebola virus would become
resistant.
Antiretroviral.
Antiretroviral drugs and antiviral drugs are similar in their functions. This is because both
types of medications treat viral infections, and they both work effectively during the
replication stage of the virus cells within the body. Antiretroviral drugs stop the enzymes in
the virus cells from converting the virus cell’s DNA to RNA. This stops proteins to be
formed which prevents stops the replication process of the viruses which stops and limits
the spread of virus cells within the body. If DNA synthesis does not occur, then the new
virus cells will not be able to be formed. Antiretroviral medications also stop receptors
from a host cell and the receptors from a virus cell from binding together. This means that
the virus cells cannot replicate, causing the spread of the virus cells to be limited.
Antiretroviral medications have a high chance of working properly and efficiently.
However, it does also depend on the person who is taking this medication and how well it may work
for them. Antiretroviral medications maintain the health of the body and they stop the symptoms of
certain disease that the medication is treating from spreading. Antiretroviral medications help the
body’s immune system as well as the virus cells are stopped from multiplying which allows the
immune system to create more white blood cells to fight of the viral infection naturally. These drugs
also allow the immune system to become stronger causing the body to get rid of the virus. This is
because antiretroviral medications do not directly kill the virus cells. Antiretroviral medications can
also develop antiretroviral resistance. This is by the virus cells changing structure so that the
medications will not be able to identify the virus cells and stop them from reproducing and taking
over host cells. Also, antiretroviral medications can cause resistance if you misuse the medication or
do not take the prescribed medication when you should. Antiretroviral drugs are usually allowed and
are suitable for everyone to take, if their condition needs to be treated with them. However, usually
younger children do not take antiretroviral medications as they are too young, and giving then
antiretroviral medications are not good for them. Antiretroviral drugs are also not given for lots of
viral infections. This means that they are not suitable for everyone with a viral infection to take.
Antiretroviral drugs are usually given to people who have either HIV or AIDS. This is because
antiretroviral medication is suitable for those two diseases specifically. HIV is a disease that is caused
by a virus. Antiretroviral medications are mostly used and are mostly effective against HIV and AIDS.
Antiretroviral medications work by reducing the HIV load within the body, allowing you to keep and
stay healthy. You cannot cure HIV, but antiretroviral medications can supress it and control the
disease. Taking antiretroviral medications are effective in keeping a person with HIV healthy and
active. Antiretroviral medications can make a person have undetectable levels of HIV within the
body within a six-month period after starting the course. This is a huge achievement within a short
period of time. However, of a person does not take the medications as they are supposed to, or they
2
, stop a day, then the antiretroviral medications would be ineffective due to a quick increase in viral
load and mutations within the virus cells. Antiretroviral medications would only work on diseases
like HIV and AIDS. Other viral infections like covid 19, are usually not treated with antiretroviral
medications. This is due to the fact that antiviral medications would be suited better for killing and
getting rid of the viral cells, than antiretroviral.
Antifungal.
Antifungal medications are medication that treats fungal diseases and fungal infections. Antifungal
medications can either directly kill the fungus cells or they can prevent the growth of the fungus
cells. Antifungal medications target the fungus cell wall and the fungus cell membrane. If either the
fungal cell wall or the fungal cell membrane of the fungus cells is affected by antifungal, it causes the
cell to burst which means that it is not stable and it would cause the cell to die. Antifungal
medication disrupts the cell wall by increasing the permeability of the cell wall
which means that lots of antifungal drugs can enter the cell causing the cell to
die or to stop growing. Antifungals also prevent the cells from multiplying,
during the reproductive process. Antifungals stop cells from spreading which
limits the spread of the disease. The antifungals would stop the DNA replication
of the cells and would also stop certain metabolic reactions that take place in a
cell. Sometimes, antifungals may not work due to the development of antifungal
resistance. This can be due to not taking the antifungal medication properly or
as required to. Also, fungal cells are similar and have a close structure to human body cells. This
means that the antifungal medication may not work properly as the cells could be too similar for the
medication to identify and treat. You can also have antifungal medications in the form of antifungal
creams. These medications are taken topically which means that they are placed onto the skin
where the fungal infection is. This medication type usually does not develop resistance which is good
for people taking it as then the fungal infection would be treated faster compared to antifungal
tablets. Antifungal medications are usually given to everyone, but they are not suitable for everyone
to take. Antifungal medications that are in the form of tablets will not usually be given to young
children as they are toxic due to the medication targeting the cell membrane synthesis. The cell
membrane of a human body cell and the cell membrane of a fungus cell are similar, meaning that
the oral antifungal tablets can damage normal body cells instead of the fungus cells. This leads to
toxicity in the body. This is one reason some antifungals are not suitable for everyone to take.
Antifungals are also usually on the skin, nails, or the scalp. This means that antiviral creams are given
so that it does not harm the body. Women who are pregnant should take antifungals due to toxicity
that antivirals can have, and it could harm the baby and cause mild to severe defects or just harm
the general health if the developing baby. Athletes foot is a disease on a person foot that is caused
by a fungus. Lots of medications can treat athletes’ foot, and they can be in many forms like oral
antifungal medications or topical antifungal medications. Because athletes’ foot is a fungal
medication is on the skin, topical antifungal medications are given to clear it. Antifungal creams are
effective in getting rid of fungal infections. Different antifungal creams have different success rates,
but they are all over the 65% rate. This means that within two to three weeks, athletes' foot can
easily be treated and not reappear within a short time. Treating athletes’ foot with antifungal cream
is proven to be more effective than treating athletes’ foot with antifungal oral medications. This is
due to the toxicity that it can have within the body and the similarity of the fungus and human
body’s cells wall. Also, treating athletes for with a cream is a direct way of killing of the bacteria, as
you are applying it directly on the foot which is seen as more effective than taking general antifungal
medications.
3
Part C.
Treatment methods for diseases.
Antiviral.
Antiviral medications are medications that only treat viral infections. Certain
antiviral meditations treat lots of different viruses, but some antiviral
medications only treat a limited number of viral infections. Antiviral
medications usually ease the symptoms of a viral infection, but they can also
stop the virus from spreading between people or within a person’s own body.
Antiviral medications work by stopping the reproduction of new virus cells
and prevent the taking over of healthy body cells. Antivirals work by blocking and preventing the
receptors that bind with the virus cells that help it to reproduce and create more virus cells. By
blocking these receptors, the virus cells cannot spread as the virus will not be able to take over a
host cell and reproduce. Antiviral medication also gives the immune system a boost, which helps the
body’s own antibodies fight of the virus cells within the body. Antiviral medications minimise the
activity of the virus cells so the viral load in the body would be lower. Antiviral medications work by
preventing the virus’s DNA to synthesise, meaning that new virus cells cannot be produced. This is
because when DNA synthesis occurs, proteins are formed which allows the virus cells to bind with
host cells to reproduce. Without the DNA synthesis, proteins cannot be formed, and new virus cells
cannot be formed as well. Antivirals do not kill the virus cells in the body directly. They supress the
virus cell’s ability to multiply and take over new hosts cells and spread. This is done by stopping and
blocking the molecular functions and interactions from the virus to reproduce and create clones of
itself. Antivirals are most effective during the reproduction of viruses as this is where antiviral
medicines can block the reproduction of virus cells. Sometimes antiviral medications will not work
on a person due to antiviral resistance. If a person experiences prolonged exposure to antiviral
medications, then the constant viral reproduction and replication for immunosuppression would
cause resistance, meaning that the antiviral medication that you are taking would become
ineffective. This is because the virus structure would change. If the virus structure changes a lot,
then the antiviral medication will not be able to stop the reproduction of new virus cells. This is
because the antiviral medication will not be able to notice the original virus structure which means
that they cannot get rid of the virus cells within the body. Also, there is another type of resistance
called spontaneous resistance. This means that the virus cells would develop antiviral resistance for
no reason, meaning that the virus cells can continue to multiply without any effect from the antiviral
medication. The cause of spontaneous resistance is not known and can develop randomly within a
person’s body. Antiviral medications are usually suitable for everyone to take. However, some
antivirals are not suitable for everyone to take. Antiviral medications are only suitable and given to
people in the early stages of a viral infection. This is because antivirals work in the replication of the
virus life cycle and not usually in any other stage. If you have a viral infection for quite some time,
sometimes antivirals will not be prescribed or given to you. This is due to the infectivity that it would
have on getting rid of the virus cells in the body. Women who are breastfeeding should not take
certain types of higher doses of antiviral medications as it can damage the health of the baby. Also,
pregnant women should not take certain antiviral medications as they can damage the health of the
baby, by causing problems with their health when they are born. Children under the age of 18
cannot take certain antivirals due to the severe long-term effects that it can cause them. People who
are allergic to some of the ingredients that make up the antivirals should not take them due to the
1
,risk of another allergic reaction. If a person has not got any of the above conditions, then they can
take any antiviral medication that is suitable for their viral infection. Ebola is a disease that is caused
by a virus pathogen. This disease is treated by a wide range of antiviral medications. Antiviral
medications are used to treat Ebola by blocking the Ebola virus cells from replicating in a host cell
and from multiplying to spread within the body. These treatment methods are effective for treating
Ebola as the drugs target the viruses DNA and RNA strands. This is effective in stopping the spread of
the Ebola disease. Also, stronger Ebola antiviral medications directly kill the virus cells causing it to
be effective against the Ebola virus, by completely getting rid of all traces of the Ebola virus cells.
However, some antiviral medications are not effective against Ebola specifically so certain
medications would have to be given to treat Ebola. Giving ineffective medications can lead to
problems with a persons body systems or that some of the strains Ebola virus would become
resistant.
Antiretroviral.
Antiretroviral drugs and antiviral drugs are similar in their functions. This is because both
types of medications treat viral infections, and they both work effectively during the
replication stage of the virus cells within the body. Antiretroviral drugs stop the enzymes in
the virus cells from converting the virus cell’s DNA to RNA. This stops proteins to be
formed which prevents stops the replication process of the viruses which stops and limits
the spread of virus cells within the body. If DNA synthesis does not occur, then the new
virus cells will not be able to be formed. Antiretroviral medications also stop receptors
from a host cell and the receptors from a virus cell from binding together. This means that
the virus cells cannot replicate, causing the spread of the virus cells to be limited.
Antiretroviral medications have a high chance of working properly and efficiently.
However, it does also depend on the person who is taking this medication and how well it may work
for them. Antiretroviral medications maintain the health of the body and they stop the symptoms of
certain disease that the medication is treating from spreading. Antiretroviral medications help the
body’s immune system as well as the virus cells are stopped from multiplying which allows the
immune system to create more white blood cells to fight of the viral infection naturally. These drugs
also allow the immune system to become stronger causing the body to get rid of the virus. This is
because antiretroviral medications do not directly kill the virus cells. Antiretroviral medications can
also develop antiretroviral resistance. This is by the virus cells changing structure so that the
medications will not be able to identify the virus cells and stop them from reproducing and taking
over host cells. Also, antiretroviral medications can cause resistance if you misuse the medication or
do not take the prescribed medication when you should. Antiretroviral drugs are usually allowed and
are suitable for everyone to take, if their condition needs to be treated with them. However, usually
younger children do not take antiretroviral medications as they are too young, and giving then
antiretroviral medications are not good for them. Antiretroviral drugs are also not given for lots of
viral infections. This means that they are not suitable for everyone with a viral infection to take.
Antiretroviral drugs are usually given to people who have either HIV or AIDS. This is because
antiretroviral medication is suitable for those two diseases specifically. HIV is a disease that is caused
by a virus. Antiretroviral medications are mostly used and are mostly effective against HIV and AIDS.
Antiretroviral medications work by reducing the HIV load within the body, allowing you to keep and
stay healthy. You cannot cure HIV, but antiretroviral medications can supress it and control the
disease. Taking antiretroviral medications are effective in keeping a person with HIV healthy and
active. Antiretroviral medications can make a person have undetectable levels of HIV within the
body within a six-month period after starting the course. This is a huge achievement within a short
period of time. However, of a person does not take the medications as they are supposed to, or they
2
, stop a day, then the antiretroviral medications would be ineffective due to a quick increase in viral
load and mutations within the virus cells. Antiretroviral medications would only work on diseases
like HIV and AIDS. Other viral infections like covid 19, are usually not treated with antiretroviral
medications. This is due to the fact that antiviral medications would be suited better for killing and
getting rid of the viral cells, than antiretroviral.
Antifungal.
Antifungal medications are medication that treats fungal diseases and fungal infections. Antifungal
medications can either directly kill the fungus cells or they can prevent the growth of the fungus
cells. Antifungal medications target the fungus cell wall and the fungus cell membrane. If either the
fungal cell wall or the fungal cell membrane of the fungus cells is affected by antifungal, it causes the
cell to burst which means that it is not stable and it would cause the cell to die. Antifungal
medication disrupts the cell wall by increasing the permeability of the cell wall
which means that lots of antifungal drugs can enter the cell causing the cell to
die or to stop growing. Antifungals also prevent the cells from multiplying,
during the reproductive process. Antifungals stop cells from spreading which
limits the spread of the disease. The antifungals would stop the DNA replication
of the cells and would also stop certain metabolic reactions that take place in a
cell. Sometimes, antifungals may not work due to the development of antifungal
resistance. This can be due to not taking the antifungal medication properly or
as required to. Also, fungal cells are similar and have a close structure to human body cells. This
means that the antifungal medication may not work properly as the cells could be too similar for the
medication to identify and treat. You can also have antifungal medications in the form of antifungal
creams. These medications are taken topically which means that they are placed onto the skin
where the fungal infection is. This medication type usually does not develop resistance which is good
for people taking it as then the fungal infection would be treated faster compared to antifungal
tablets. Antifungal medications are usually given to everyone, but they are not suitable for everyone
to take. Antifungal medications that are in the form of tablets will not usually be given to young
children as they are toxic due to the medication targeting the cell membrane synthesis. The cell
membrane of a human body cell and the cell membrane of a fungus cell are similar, meaning that
the oral antifungal tablets can damage normal body cells instead of the fungus cells. This leads to
toxicity in the body. This is one reason some antifungals are not suitable for everyone to take.
Antifungals are also usually on the skin, nails, or the scalp. This means that antiviral creams are given
so that it does not harm the body. Women who are pregnant should take antifungals due to toxicity
that antivirals can have, and it could harm the baby and cause mild to severe defects or just harm
the general health if the developing baby. Athletes foot is a disease on a person foot that is caused
by a fungus. Lots of medications can treat athletes’ foot, and they can be in many forms like oral
antifungal medications or topical antifungal medications. Because athletes’ foot is a fungal
medication is on the skin, topical antifungal medications are given to clear it. Antifungal creams are
effective in getting rid of fungal infections. Different antifungal creams have different success rates,
but they are all over the 65% rate. This means that within two to three weeks, athletes' foot can
easily be treated and not reappear within a short time. Treating athletes’ foot with antifungal cream
is proven to be more effective than treating athletes’ foot with antifungal oral medications. This is
due to the toxicity that it can have within the body and the similarity of the fungus and human
body’s cells wall. Also, treating athletes for with a cream is a direct way of killing of the bacteria, as
you are applying it directly on the foot which is seen as more effective than taking general antifungal
medications.
3
