Question

Describe the difference between antigenic shift and antigenic drift in viral pathogens and which causes a great chance of a pandemic.

Answer 1

Antigenic drift is a small change in the genetic makeup of an alredy known virus. This leads to a change in the surface antigen which are already recognised by the immune system. Antigenic drift is more common however its chances of causing a pandemic is much less.

Antigenic shift is a sudden change in genetic material of a virus. It is usually seen when the novel virus which usually affects animals infects humans. Humans have no prior exposure to it and hence has minimal or no herd immunity against it.

Chances of genetic shift is less however chances of it causing a pandemic is more.