Understanding Infectious Disease Treatment: Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy

Two principal approaches treat infectious diseases:

Chemotherapy (Antimicrobial Therapy)

Uses chemical agents (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, antiparasitics) to kill or inhibit microorganisms directly.

Immunotherapy

Harnesses the host's immune system:

• Vaccines: Pre-exposure priming with attenuated/inactivated pathogens or subunits.
• Antibody Therapy: Monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies targeting specific pathogens.
• Immune Modulators: Cytokines, checkpoint inhibitors (mainly in cancer/viral persistence).

Combination strategies often yield optimal outcomes.