infections
Overview of Viral Infections
Prevention of Viral Infections
Prevention of viral infections may include General measures None Vaccines None Immune globulins None Vaccines and immune globulins help the body better defend itself against diseases caused by certain viruses (or bacteria). The process of strengthening the body's defenses is called Overview of Immunization . People can help prevent many viral infections by routine measures to protect themselves and others (personal protective measures). These measures vary depending on the how the virus is spread. Measures include the following: Frequently and thoroughly washing the hands with soap Consuming only food and liquids that have been appropriately prepared or treated Avoiding contact with infected people and contaminated surfaces Sneezing and coughing into tissues (which should be thrown away) or into the upper arm, completely covering the mouth and nose Using safe-sex practices Preventing Tick Bites , mosquitoes, and other arthropods Mask wearing Physical distancing when appropriate (for example, for Prevention ) Overview of Immunization work by stimulating the body’s natural defense mechanisms (called Viral vaccines in general use include the following: COVID-19 Vaccine None Hepatitis A Vaccine None Hepatitis B Vaccine None Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine (HPV) Influenza Vaccine None Japanese encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine None Polio Vaccine None Rabies None Rotavirus Vaccine None Varicella Vaccine None Shingles ( Shingles Vaccine ) Prevention None Adenovirus, Prevention , and Viral diseases can be eradicated by effective vaccines. Smallpox was eradicated in 1978. Extensive vaccination has almost eradicated Immune globulins are a sterilized solution of Antibodies (also called immunoglobulins) collected from the blood of a group of people. Immune globulins are given directly to a person (called Immunoglobulins can be collected from the blood of the following: People who are generally healthy (these immunoglobulins are called pooled human immunoglobulin) People who have many antibodies that defend against a specific infectious organism, often because they have been infected with that organism (these immunoglobulins are called hyperimmune globulin) Hyperimmune globulin is available for only a few infectious diseases, such as Immune globulins , Immune globulins are given by injection into a muscle or into a vein. The immunity provided by immune globulins lasts for only a few days or weeks, until the body eliminates the injected antibodies. Sometimes, such as when people are exposed to rabies or hepatitis B, they are given both immune globulin and a vaccine to help prevent infection from developing or reduce the severity of infection. Immune globulins may also help treat some infections. For example, they may be given to people whose immune system does not respond adequately to an infection (see Replacing missing parts of the immune system ). 