Viral Infection Therapy and Acquired Immunity Medications

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key antiviral medications and vaccines discussed in the lecture notes.

Famvir

Famciclovir- is an oral antiviral medication primarily used to treat various infections caused by herpesviruses. Specifically, it's prescribed for herpes simplex virus (HSV-1, causing oral cold sores, and HSV-2, causing genital herpes), as well as herpes zoster (shingles), which is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Its mechanism of action involves inhibiting viral DNA polymerase, an enzyme crucial for the virus's replication, thereby reducing the viral load and helping to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of outbreaks.

Valtrex

Valacyclovir- is an oral antiviral medication that acts as a prodrug, meaning it is converted into acyclovir within the body. It is widely prescribed for the treatment and prevention of infections caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), which manifests as cold sores and genital herpes, and the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), responsible for shingles and chickenpox. By inhibiting viral DNA polymerase, valacyclovir interferes with the virus's ability to replicate its genetic material, effectively limiting the spread of the infection and promoting faster healing of lesions.

Zovirax

Acyclovir- is a widely used antiviral medication, available in diverse formulations such as oral capsules, tablets, liquid suspensions, topical ointments, creams, and intravenous injections, allowing for versatile administration. It is specifically indicated for the treatment of infections caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), which causes oral and genital herpes, herpes zoster (shingles), and varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox).

Tamiflu

Oseltamivir- is an antiviral medication, available as an oral tablet or liquid suspension, primarily utilized for the treatment and prevention of influenza (the flu). Oseltamivir works by blocking the neuraminidase enzyme found on the surface of the influenza virus. This enzyme is vital for the release of newly formed viral particles from infected cells, as well as for the virus's ability to spread within the respiratory tract. By inhibiting this enzyme, oseltamivir effectively reduces the ability of the virus to spread, thereby lessening the duration and severity of flu symptoms if treatment is initiated early, and preventing infection in individuals exposed to the virus.

COVID-19 Vaccine

The COVID-19 Vaccine is an injectable immunization specifically developed to induce protective immunity against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the virus responsible for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). These vaccines work by introducing a harmless component of the virus, such as its spike protein, or the genetic instructions (like mRNA or DNA) for making this protein, into the body. This safely trains the immune system to recognize the virus, leading to the production of neutralizing antibodies and activating T-cells. This comprehensive immune response effectively prevents infection, severe illness, hospitalization, and mortality associated with COVID-19.

Fluarix / Fluzone

Fluarix and Fluzone are common brand names for injectable influenza (flu) vaccines, both designed to provide active immunization against the seasonal influenza virus. These vaccines are updated annually to target the specific H and N antigens of the flu strains (e.g., A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Victoria, B/Yamagata lineages) predicted by global health organizations to be most prevalent in the upcoming flu season. They work by exposing the immune system to inactivated viral particles or specific viral proteins, prompting the body to produce protective antibodies. This immune response significantly reduces the risk of influenza virus infection, mitigates the severity of symptoms, and lowers the likelihood of flu-related complications, hospitalizations, and onward transmission.

Gardasil

Gardasil is an injectable vaccine specifically engineered to prevent infections caused by certain high-risk and low-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The strains targeted by Gardasil are critically implicated in the development of various HPV-related cancers, notably cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, vaginal, and vulvar cancers, as well as genital warts. The vaccine's mechanism involves presenting virus-like particles (VLPs) to the immune system. These VLPs resemble the actual virus but contain no genetic material, thus cannot cause infection. This exposure stimulates a strong and long-lasting antibody response, effectively protecting against future HPV infection and thereby preventing the development of these associated diseases.

Prevnar

Prevnar is an injectable pneumococcal conjugate vaccine designed to provide robust protection against invasive diseases caused by specific serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, commonly known as pneumococcus. These bacteria are a leading cause of severe and potentially life-threatening infections, including bacterial pneumonia (lung infection), meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), and bacteremia (presence of bacteria in the bloodstream). The vaccine works by linking bacterial capsular polysaccharides to a protein carrier, enhancing the immune response, especially in young children. This conjugation stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies that target and neutralize these specific bacterial strains, thereby effectively preventing severe pneumococcal diseases across various age groups, particularly in vulnerable populations like infants, young children, and older adults.

Shingrix

Shingrix is a highly effective recombinant zoster (shingles) vaccine, administered as an intramuscular injection, primarily recommended for adults aged 50 years and older. This vaccine is specifically designed to prevent shingles (herpes zoster), a painful and often debilitating rash, and its most common complication, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is persistent nerve pain after the rash clears. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingrix contains a non-live viral glycoprotein E antigen and an adjuvant system, which together stimulate a strong, targeted, and long-lasting immune response against VZV, significantly reducing the risk of developing shingles and its associated severe pain and complications.