An antibiotic is not useful against a virus whereas a vaccine is. Whic

An antibiotic is not useful against a virus whereas a vaccine is. Which one of the following is the most appropriate reason for this ?

An antibiotic can break RNA only, whereas virus has DNA.

An antibiotic is a carbohydrate in its chemical nature, whereas a vaccine is a protein which works well to kill a virus.

Only a vaccine can break the genetic material of a virus.

A virus does not use biochemical pathways which can be blocked by an antibiotic. But a vaccine can boost an immune system to fight the virus.

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2021

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Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria by targeting biochemical pathways essential for bacterial life (like cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, or DNA replication) which are not present or significantly different in host cells. Viruses, however, lack these metabolic pathways and hijack the host cell’s machinery for replication. Therefore, antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. A vaccine, on the other hand, contains weakened or inactivated viruses or viral components (antigens). When administered, it stimulates the host’s immune system to produce antibodies and other immune responses specific to the virus. This prepares the body to fight off the actual virus upon subsequent exposure.

Antibiotics target bacterial processes; viruses lack these processes. Vaccines stimulate the host immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens like viruses.

The development of antiviral drugs is distinct from antibiotics and targets specific steps in the viral life cycle within host cells.

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