How does the immune system get rid of viruses?

Via antibodies. Secondly, many antibodies can work together, causing virus particles to stick together in a process called agglutination. Agglutinated viruses make an easier target for immune cells than single viral particles. A third mechanism used by antibodies to eradicate viruses, is the activation of phagocytes.

How does the immune system know if it is infected with a virus?

Once inside, the cells of the immune system cannot ‘see’ the virus and therefore do not know that the host cell is infected.

Why are agglutinated viruses an easier target for immune cells?

Agglutinated viruses make an easier target for immune cells than single viral particles. A third mechanism used by antibodies to eradicate viruses, is the activation of phagocytes.

How are viruses removed from the human body?

Viruses can also be removed from the body by antibodies before they get the chance to infect a cell. Antibodies are proteins that specifically recognise invading pathogens and bind (stick) to them.

What makes a bacterial infection different from a viral infection?

Answer From Pritish K. Tosh, M.D. As you might think, bacterial infections are caused by bacteria, and viral infections are caused by viruses. Perhaps the most important distinction between bacteria and viruses is that antibiotic drugs usually kill bacteria, but they aren’t effective against viruses.

Why are viruses so hard to kill in the body?

But they aren’t effective against viral infections, because viruses don’t carry out any of those processes on their own. Rather, viruses need to invade and take over host cells to replicate. But a virus can’t break into just any cell in the body.

Why are antibiotics not effective for viral diseases?

Antibiotics cannot kill viruses because viruses have different structures and replicate in a different way than bacteria. Antibiotics work by targeting the growth machinery in bacteria (not viruses) to kill or inhibit those particular bacteria.

Is there a cure for a viral infection?

Your immune system may be able to fight it off. For most viral infections, treatments can only help with symptoms while you wait for your immune system to fight off the virus. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections. There are antiviral medicines to treat some viral infections.