Viral News

Viruses

With SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) back on the rise, a new vaccine that specifically targets the omicron variant is being discussed. It would be in the form of a booster shot and is expected to be released to the public in this fall. However, this vaccine brings up a variety of questions that aren’t being addressed. This article will delve into the characteristics of a virus, the body’s immune system, and how a vaccine works.

What is a Virus

A virus is a microscopic organism resembling a parasite as all of its biological functions are tied to its host. Viruses are the most numerous type of biological entity in the world and live in nearly every ecosystem in the world. All viruses are made up of a core containing genetic material, either RNA or DNA. The core is surrounded with a protein made coat called a capsid. Each virus is categorized by its size, shape, type of information it carries, and other biological features. This difference in biological features leads to every virus being unique. For example, some viruses are considered friendly and protect the body from harmful bacteria, others however, cause illness and are dangerous to the body.

How do viruses cause harm to the body?

Viruses are dangerous because they are stealthy, versatile, and they are immune to antibiotics. Viruses gain power by replicating in the body of a living organism. This process starts with the virus binding to a cell in a living organism. The virus then injects a part of itself into the cell so that it can take control of that singular cell. This cell is then used to make clones of the virus and distribute said clones to other cells in the body. This process happens hundreds of millions of times until the horde of viruses catches the attention of the body. This is when the body starts to strike back against the viruses.

How does the body fight back against viruses

The body starts to strike back against the virus by identifying that a foreign organism has entered its body. This is done by marking the foreign body and making it recognizable through the antigen. The immune system then creates antibodies which are specifically designed to kill a certain foreign body. This is to ensure that the same organism will be killed without any sickness ailing the body. The amount of time this process takes depends on the type of infection and how hard it is for the body to find.

What is a Vaccine

A vaccine is a relatively painless and safe procedure which uses the body’s natural defense system to build immunity. The vaccine contains semi-dead versions of a dangerous virus which are injected into the body using a needle. The body recognizes this virus as dangerous and proceeds to create antibodies for it. This ensures that if the same virus ever got infected the body again, it would cause milder symptoms. Any vaccine ensures that the body will be able to identify and kill the infection quickly and efficiently.

Why is a booster shot needed?

Similar to the human mind, the immune system also “forgets” some viruses over time. As the corona virus is dangerous, it is paramount that the immune system remembers the particular strand of covid. For that specific reason, a booster is prepared which is used to stimulate the immune system so that the virus is fresh in its memory. This ensures that if the virus does inhabit the body, it will be efficiently cleaned out without any symptoms or hassle. Booster shots are also helpful to prime the body for different versions of the same virus, otherwise known as variants. Variants can also be dangerous to the body and a booster shot that targets a specific variant would help the body adapt quicker to any changes from the original virus.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a virus is a parasitic organism that is the cause of many prominent illnesses. Vaccines are used to combat viruses and mitigate their spread. With Covid-19 spreading around the globe, many have questions about such vaccines and their need. This medical article was dedicated to answering these questions and making sure that the public was aware of what they were putting inside their body.