Viruses, So similar but more deadly

Besides knowing the fact that bacteria can develop a resistance to antibodies, we can also conclude that viruses can develop their own resistance to antiviral medications Living along side with the bacteria, these little bugs have also been developing immunity to antivirals since the beginning. Likewise this immunity completely revolves around a random mutation and natural selection.

So do we ever wonder why we get a flu shot every year or how come every year we are inflicted with the same symptoms? Yet even though we got over last year's ailment, we still get the same one this year. Its basically because these viruses are developing a resistance. In this situation without drugs our immune system  develops antibodies that will eliminate the virus, then when the year comes a new virus shows up to take its place. Even though our bodies is ready to take it down the virus is not going down without a a fight because our bodies are developed to take care of that specific virus. This in turns lead to the same symptoms all over again as last year.

As such with a situation with antibiotics and antivirals, as soon as the virus develops immunity to their antiviral medications, it leads to more difficult problems in living. Besides that it may even cause an outbreak which might lead to a worldwide pandemic since viruses do tend to spread. Current pandemic viruses (that can be debate able of having a cure) are HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

In this past research, a company Monogram Biosciences conducted experiments in concluding that the mutant in HIV strains are decreasing using patients from the 51st Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in Chicago (ICAAC). After all the testing, the results shows that all the main Antiretroviral classes: protease inhibitors, (NRTI) nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and (NNRTIs) non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors have decreased from 29%-11% from 2003-10. Though on the downside the resistance of one Antiretroviral had increased from 31%-54% through the same years.

References:

McQueen, Courtney. "Frequency Of Multi-Drug-Resistant HIV Strains Is Decreasing."

      Aidsbeacon.com. Light Knowledge Resources LLC, 23 Sept. 2011. Web. 23 Nov. 2012.
"Current Pandemics." Current Pandemics. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 212
      <http://www.news-medical.net/health/Current-Pandemics.aspx>
"Immune System 101." Immune System 101. U.S. Department of Health & Human Service, n.d. Web. 24
      Nov. 2012. <http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/hiv-in-your-body/immune-              
      system-101/>
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