What tools are in the medical arsenal against human viral diseases?

Antivirals

Antivirals are drugs that fight viruses. They work by interfering with the virus's replication cycle. Antivirals are used to treat a variety of viral diseases, including:

* Influenza

* Herpes simplex

* Varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox and shingles)

* Hepatitis C

* HIV

Vaccines

Vaccines are biological products that protect people from getting a disease. They work by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies against the virus. Vaccines are available to protect against a number of viral diseases, including:

* Polio

* Measles

* Mumps

* Rubella

* Tetanus

* Yellow fever

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight disease. It can be used to treat a variety of cancers and viral diseases. Immunotherapy is still in its early stages of development, but it has shown promise in treating a number of difficult-to-treat diseases.

Other Treatments

In addition to antivirals, vaccines, and immunotherapy, there are a number of other treatments that can be used to help manage viral diseases. These include:

* Supportive care: This may include measures such as rest, fluids, pain relievers, and fever reducers.

* Antipyretics: These drugs reduce fever.

* Analgesics: These drugs relieve pain.

* Antihistamines: These drugs relieve allergy symptoms.

Viral diseases can be serious, but there are a number of tools that can be used to fight them. By using a combination of antiviral drugs, vaccines, immunotherapy, and other treatments, doctors can help people to recover from viral diseases and prevent serious complications.