Antiviral drug

An antiviral drug inhibits viral replication or otherwise prevents or treats viral infection. Unlike antibiotics, it acts against viruses rather than bacteria.

Viral life cycle: The sequence of events through which a virus enters a host cell, replicates, and produces infectious particles. Antivirals target distinct steps in this cycle to prevent new infectious viruses from forming.
Antiretroviral therapy: Combination treatment that suppresses HIV using drugs targeting different stages of its life cycle. HIV treatment shows how multiple antivirals can control chronic infection.
Virus: An infectious agent that replicates inside living cells using host resources. Antiviral drugs target viral processes that depend on a living host cell.
Antibiotic: A medicine that kills bacteria or inhibits their growth. Antibiotics act on bacteria and do not treat viral infections.
Viral entry inhibitor: An antiviral drug that prevents a virus from entering or fusing with a host cell. These drugs block infection before viral replication begins inside the cell.
Direct-acting antiviral: An antiviral drug that directly targets a viral protein or nucleic-acid process. These drugs can clear hepatitis C by blocking specific viral functions.
Viral replication: The production of viral genomes and components, followed by assembly of new virus particles. Replication is the process most antiviral treatments aim to slow or stop.
Vaccine: A biological preparation that trains immune defenses to prevent or reduce disease from a pathogen. Vaccines primarily prepare immunity before infection, whereas antivirals act as medicines.
Nucleoside analogue: A molecule resembling a nucleoside that can disrupt DNA or RNA synthesis when incorporated or acted upon by enzymes. Many antivirals mimic viral genetic building blocks and interrupt genome replication.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis: Medication taken before potential exposure to reduce the chance of acquiring an infection. Antiviral medicines can prevent infection as well as treat established disease.

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