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From: gnome@olivee.UUCP (Gary Traveis)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: attacking viruses
Message-ID: <458@olivee.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 15:53:22 EDT
Article-I.D.: olivee.458
Posted: Thu Aug 15 15:53:22 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 18-Aug-85 04:59:01 EDT
References: <2617@amdcad.UUCP>
Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 26

> Recently someone commented that modern medicine can do little against
> illness caused by viruses. I had a thought which goes like this:
> in recombinant DNA research they use agents (a form of RNA?) which
> cut the genes at precise points. Then other methods are used to splice
> together the pieces as desired. Could we simply employ the right agents
> to cut up the genes in nasty viruses? I realize they are carried in
...

Any agent that is that powerful would do a job on everything else
in your body.

There is a drug that is used to slow down the spreading of viral
infections.  In it's early stages, influenza can be kept from
multiplying by the introduction of Amantadine.  This drug keeps
the virus from breaking through cell walls, and therefore making
new DNA material.  It doesn't help if your body has been overrun
with 'flu but does give your body time to build up antibodies
(as compared to having your metabolism screwed-up to the point
of no return).

Like I said, it is only useful for people that can tell when
they are initially coming down with the flu.  If you ignore it
until it lays you out, Amantadine won't help.

Gary
(hplabs,allegra,ihnp4)oliveb!olivee!gnome