The best defense humans have against viruses is their immune system. Innate immunity defends aginst pathogens in a nonspecific manner. Innate responses to viruses include inflammation, sneezing, and destroying infected cells.
Adaptive immunity defends against specific pathogens. After the initial infection, the body will produce antibodies to target a specific pathogen, a virus in this example. These antibodies will allow the body to respond more rapidly to future invasions. Vaccination is an example of adaptive immunity. They work by presenting the immune system with antigen(s), which stimulates the production of antibodies.
I would like to note that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses (such as the common cold). Antibiotics are for bacterial infections. Antiviral drugs are what you would take for viral infections.
The BEST defense humans have against viral diseases is a healthy and strong immune system. In order to have a healthy immune system it is vital that you sleep well and have a balanced diet with lots of nutrition. You also should exercise daily, maintain a healthy weight, don't smoke and if you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. If you get sick when you immune system is down, then take antibiotics, if you get sick again your body could have no effect from these antibiotics and you could become extremely ill. The best way to ward off a non-deadly virus is to let your immune system deal with it.
A few other good defenses include good personal hygiene (washing your hands, avoid placing fingers near face). Try to sneeze into your elbow to avoid spreading germs that your body may be immune to, but somebody else's body may not be immune to. I will leave you with something to think about...
We all have contaminants of Meningitis/Meningococcal in our nose and if we sneeze we can sometimes release these microscopic germs and if we sneeze onto somebody whose immune system is low, you could make them extremely sick.
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