The emergence of viral resistance against any specific and potent drug is virtually inevitable. Drug resistance is costly to the health service, to the patient who fails to gain maximum therapeutic benefit, and for the community in which resistant viruses may be spread.
What is drug resistant virus?
Drug-resistant infections is a term we use to describe
illnesses that have been caused by resistant microbes
, resulting in an infection that is much harder – or potentially impossible – to treat.
How do viruses become drug resistant?
As a flu virus replicates (i.e., make copies of itself), the
genetic makeup
may change in a way that results in the virus becoming less susceptible to one or more of the antiviral drugs used to treat or prevent flu.
Why do viruses become resistant to antibiotics?
Viral infections do not respond to antibiotic treatment
. Antibiotics have been used for a long time and are frequently prescribed. Because of this widespread use, the infectious bacteria the antibiotics were designed target have adapted and changed, making the drugs less effective. This is antibiotic resistance.
Because viruses are contained in the cells
, researchers find it difficult to develop antiviral drugs including vaccines. Some viruses that cause warts and eye infections.
- Cough.
- Dry mouth.
- Diarrhea.
- Dizziness.
- Fatigue.
- Headaches.
- Insomnia.
- Joint pain or muscle pain.
Can viruses become superbugs?
Superbugs are strains of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that are resistant to most of the antibiotics and other medications commonly used to treat the infections they cause. A few examples of superbugs include resistant bacteria that can cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections and skin infections.
Can you reverse antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance can
be reversed by the addition of resistance breakers
(orange boxes) such as (i) β-lactamase inhibitors to prevent antibiotic degradation; (ii) efflux pump inhibitors to allow the antibiotic to reach its target instead of being removed by the efflux pump; (iii-a) OM permeabilisers that …
How can we stop antibiotic resistance?
There are many ways that drug-resistant infections can be prevented:
immunization, safe food preparation, handwashing, and using antibiotics
as directed and only when necessary. In addition, preventing infections also prevents the spread of resistant bacteria.
What happens if you have antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance happens when
germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them
. That means the germs are not killed and continue to grow. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant germs are difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat.
Can viruses be killed by antibiotics?
Antibiotics cannot kill viruses
or help you feel better when you have a virus. Bacteria cause: Most ear infections. Some sinus infections.
Can bacteria lose their antibiotic resistance?
Yes,
antibiotic resistance traits can be lost
, but this reverse process occurs more slowly. If the selective pressure that is applied by the presence of an antibiotic is removed, the bacterial population can potentially revert to a population of bacteria that responds to antibiotics.
How does antibiotic resistance affect humans?
Antibiotic resistance results in a decreased ability to treat infections and illnesses in people, animals and plants. This can lead to the following problems:
increased human illness, suffering and death, increased cost and length of treatments
, and.
The FDA has approved an antiviral drug called
remdesivir (Veklury)
to treat COVID-19 in adults and children who are age 12 and older. Remdesivir may be prescribed for people who are hospitalized with COVID-19 . It’s given through a needle in the skin (intravenously).
The inhibitory effects of antivirals on immune cells may contribute to
the immune deterioration
observed in patients following prolonged use of the drugs.
What drugs treat viruses?
The drugs used for viral infection are
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
, famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex) are effective against herpesvirus, including herpes zoster and herpes genitalis. Drugs used for treatment for viral fever are Acetaminophen(Tylenolothers)ibuprofen (Advil,motrin IB others).
