Do Viruses make you stronger?

[Gardamorg]

If you were to inject a virus into yourself, wait until it takes its toll on your body, and then inject a vaccine for it that cures you, will you be physically healthier in any way?

I believe so.

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by Gardamorg

If you were to inject a virus into yourself, wait until it takes its toll on your body, and then inject a vaccine for it that cures you, will you be physically healthier in any way?

I believe so.

Vaccines dont cure a virus. Thats why you get a flu shot before flu season starts.

[Gardamorg]

Originally Posted by Cedars

Vaccines dont cure a virus. Thats why you get a flu shot before flu season starts.

If you controlled the virus, than you could study it, and make a cure, that kills it. And if you can't, just find another virus.


My point is, each time you recover from a virus, does your body build up defenses?

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by Gardamorg

If you controlled the virus, than you could study it, and make a cure, that kills it. And if you can't, just find another virus.


My point is, each time you recover from a virus, does your body build up defenses?

Yes. Until the virus mutates. As far as I know, there are no 'cures' for viral infections that are man made.

[Gardamorg]

Originally Posted by Cedars

Yes. Until the virus mutates. As far as I know, there are no 'cures' for viral infections that are man made.

Not a man-made, but a tamed virus.

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by Gardamorg

If you were to inject a virus into yourself, wait until it takes its toll on your body, and then inject a vaccine for it that cures you, will you be physically healthier in any way?

If you're strong enough I think it would be better to let your body deal with the virus. The vaccine offers protection, but isn't a cure, so it wouldn't be worthwhile injecting the vaccine when your body is already infected.

Originally Posted by Gardamorg

My point is, each time you recover from a virus, does your body build up defenses?

Yes. After your immune system has conquered the virus the memory cells will protect your body from that particular strain of virus.

ScienceDaily: How 'Memory' T Cells Curb The Spread Of Viruses Throughout The Body
Microbiology and Bacteriology :: The world of microbes
Memory B cell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[ronthepon]

And, er a few things:

First of all, you dont get stronger if you have countered a infection. Your immune system merely records the method of combating it. During the first infection, this method takes time to be 'researched', and that makes you more vulnerable the first time.

Secondly, vaccines are a 'copy' of the virus, more accurately, de-activated forms of the viruses. Your body figures how to fight the real viruses by pretending that the de-activated viruses are real, and figuring how to destroy them.

And yeah, monomer was correct, injecting de-activated viruses into the body when there are already active and dangerous ones in the body won't be a big help.

[Michaelangelica]

Do Viruses make you stronger?
Perhaps via retroviruses and Natural Selection. We have several bits of retrovirus DNA in our human DNA. They may be responsible for the mammalian placenta.
Our Koalas are now fighting off one that gives them leukemia. Most are dying.
(source ABC "Catalyst" 27/09/07)