Anti-biotics are broad attack agents, why can’t we do the same with viruses? My recent viral conjunctivitis had no cure but time, yet influenza has Tamflu? What’s the key difference between the two that limits our viral solutions?

Question

Anti-biotics are broad attack agents, why can’t we do the same with viruses? My recent viral conjunctivitis had no cure but time, yet influenza has Tamflu? What’s the key difference between the two that limits our viral solutions?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Viruses and bacteria are very different “organisms”. Viruses are a package of data that only works when inside a host cell.

A bacteria is alive.

So with a virus, you’re looking at disrupting the chemical process. Whereas with bacteria you’re trying to kill something. Something that doesn’t want to die and has tricks to survive.