Part II

How does the flu build a resistance to drug treatment?
The flu builds a resistance by constanly changing. Some versions are the flu are combated and elimnated, leaving the stronger version of the flu. These stronger versions are more resistance. The stronger versions which are already resist common medication, then multiply and change further, which increases the resistance even more. In this time the variations of the flu that initially were subceptible to medication also evolve. (not all of it is ever wiped out) They mutate into a completely different virus that could also become resistant to medication.

Why is the build up of resistance to an anti-flu drug referred to as evolving?
It is refered to evolving because that is basically what is happening. The resistance is caused by virus mutation. The viruses constanly are changing, or evolving, into variations of the virus. This creates probably for anti-flu medication because it is hard to fight something that keeps changing. The flu is adapting to survive anti-flu medication.

Definition of Evolution: The process in which something changes in response to changes in their environments.

This article named Tamiflu and Relenza as anti-flu medications. How do these drugs “get rid” of the flu virus?
Tamiflu acts to prevet viral reproduction of the flu. It works to stop an enzyme called neuraminidase. Supposedly stopping this enzyme prevents the flu from reproducing into your blood stream. The fewer flu viruses you have in your body the better you feel. Relenza also targets Neuraminidase. It removes the sialic acid receptors and also newly formed viral particles. This prevents the flu from spreading.

Can antibiotics be prescribed to treat the flu? Why or Why not?
Antibiotics should not be used to treat the flu because they are developed for fighting bacterial infections, not viral infections. The flu is a virus therefore anti-biotics would not harm it. Using antibiotics too often forces your body to build a resistance, which could harm you when you actually need antibiotics.