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Biology/reassortment of viruses

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Expert: - 10/8/2009


Question
Hi, I've been reading up a bit about viruses and reassortment of virus subtypes.  Something occurred to me and I'm not sure of the answer.  What if a person who is infected with a virus were to receive the vaccination for that same virus?  Would not the two subtypes (since vaccinations generally are a particular reassortment of a virus) combine and produce new genetic mutations of that very virus?


Answer
Dear Drew,

This could be a concern if the vaccine is the same virus, but attenuated (i.e., weakened), or if there are accidentally live viruses included in the vaccine.  But in most cases, the vaccine does not contain live or attenuated viruses, and they do not enter cells to become viable.  Instead, they simply are recognized by the host's immune system, which then manufactures antibodies against that particular virus.

Hope that helps.

Dana

Biology

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Dana Krempels, Ph.D.

Expertise

I can answer biology-related questions in the areas of evolution, zoology, botany, genetics, and ecology. But I don't answer homework questions or provide ideas for your science fair projects. So students please do your learning the right way by reading your text assignments and studying!

Experience

At the University of Miami, I teach Evolution and Biodiversity, Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Ecology, and a variety of seminars (e.g., the Biology and Evolution of Human Gender Roles).

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I have a B.S. in Biology and an A.B. in English from the University of Southern California (1980). I earned my Ph.D. in Biology in the area of evolutionary biology/visual physiology from the University of Miami in 1989.

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I am currently an "expert" in both the "Rabbits" and "Wild Animals" categories.

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