Viral vaccines are a type of immunization that is designed to protect individuals from viral infections. These vaccines stimulate the body's immune system to recognize and fight against specific viruses, thus preventing the development of viral diseases.
Viral vaccines work by introducing a harmless form of the virus, or a piece of the virus (such as a protein or genetic material) into the body. This either triggers a response from the body's immune system or helps it recognize the virus in the future. The immune response involves the production of antibodies, which are proteins that can recognize and neutralize specific viruses, as well as the activation of immune cells to destroy infected cells. When a vaccinated individual encounters the actual virus in the future, their immune system is already primed and ready to respond; it can quickly recognize and eliminate the invader, preventing viral replication and the onset of disease.
There are different types of viral vaccines, including live attenuated vaccines, inactivated vaccines, subunit vaccines, and viral vector vaccines. Live attenuated vaccines use weakened forms of the live virus, while inactivated vaccines contain killed viruses or viral proteins. Subunit vaccines only include specific parts of the virus, such as proteins or viral coats, and viral vector vaccines use harmless viruses to deliver genetic material that codes for viral proteins into cells, stimulating immune response.
Viral vaccines have been instrumental in preventing and eradicating several devastating viral diseases, such as polio, measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, and hepatitis. They have significantly contributed to enhancing public health by reducing the incidence and severity of viral infections and their associated complications.
The word "viral vaccines" is not a term with a specific etymology. It is a combination of two words that have their own origins:
1. Viral: The term "viral" originates from the Latin word "virus" which means "poison" or "slimy liquid". It was initially used in the late 18th century to describe a substance causing infectious diseases, and in the early 20th century, it was specifically associated with diseases caused by filterable agents: viruses. The term has since evolved to refer to anything related to viruses.
2. Vaccines: The term "vaccine" has its roots in the Latin word "vaccinus", which means "from cows". This word was derived from "vacca", which means "cow".