Antiviral Agents

Antiviral drugs are drugs used specifically for treating infections caused by virus. Like antibiotics for bacteria, antivirals are specific and may cover wide range of pathogens. Antiviral drugs do not destroy their target pathogen; instead they inhibit their development.

Antiviral drugs are a class of medication used specifically for treating viral infections. Like antibiotics, specific antivirals are used for specific viruses. They are relatively harmless to the host and therefore can be used to treat infections. They should be distinguished from viricides, which actively deactivate virus particles outside the body. Agents that inhibit the transcription of the viral genome are DNA polymerase inhibitors and reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Protease inhibitors inhibit the post-translational events. Other antiviral agents inhibit the virus from attaching to or penetrating the host cell. Immunomodulators induce production of host cell enzymes, which stop viral reproduction.

Related Journals of Antiviral Agents

Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals, Journal of Virology & Antiviral Research, Virology & Mycology, Virologica Sinica, Viral Immunology, Virology Journal, Virus Adaptation and Treatment