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What Are Antiviral Agents?

Antiviral agents are drugs that are designed to interrupt the reproduction of viruses. They help the body have a fighting chance against viral illness. Common viral illnesses include colds, the flu, and HIV/AIDS.

  1. Viracidal vs. Antiviral

    • Viracidal chemicals kill viruses. These chemicals are used outside of the body to sanitize surfaces that might be contaminated by virus particles. Antivirals are medications used inside of the body to help patients fight infection.

    What is a Virus?

    • A virus is a tiny particle that is not alive in the traditional sense. It is simply a protein container filled with a small amount of genetic material (either RNA or DNA).

    How Viruses Reproduce

    • Viruses cannot reproduce by themselves--they need to take over a cell. The virus attaches to the surface of a cell, and then injects its DNA inside. The virus takes over all cell functions--sort of like a hacker taking control of a supercomputer.

    Virus vs. Bacteria

    • Unlike viruses, bacteria are complete, living organisms. They are individual cells that contain all of the cell parts needed to reproduce in their environment.

    Antiobiotics Don't Kill Viruses

    • Many people are confused when their doctor won't give them an antibiotic to treat a virus. Antibiotics kill bacteria, but they are useless against viruses.

    How to Fight a Virus

    • The best way to fight viruses is to get vaccinated against them. Many important diseases have been virtually eliminated by vaccines.

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