Final answer:
Medicines that prevent disease include vaccinations and antiviral drugs. Vaccinations are a prominent method of preventing infectious diseases, while antiviral drugs can help manage and reduce the symptoms. Good hygiene and public health education are also important in preventing the spread of diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medicines That Prevent Disease
Medicines that prevent disease come in various forms, often designed to target specific illnesses or conditions. Among them, vaccinations are widely recognized as one of the most effective means of disease prevention. Vaccinations work by introducing a controlled substance that stimulates the body's immune response, thereby preventing future infections. Immunizations have been successful in preventing diseases such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, whooping cough, diphtheria, human papillomavirus (HPV), and influenza.
Additionally, preventing the spread of infectious diseases can also be aided by hygienic habits and public health education. For viral infections, there are antiviral drugs such as interferon and antiretroviral therapy (ART) that can suppress the virus, though they cannot eradicate it from the body. For example, in the case of influenza, Tamiflu and Relenza can prevent the viral escape from host cells. While these medications do not cure the infections, they can lower the incidence or severity of disease.