Antivirals

Antiviral agent: An agent that kills viruses or suppresses their replication and, hence, inhibits their capability to multiply and reproduce. Agents used in the prophylaxis or therapy of virus diseases. They may act to prevent viral replication by inhibiting viral dna polymerase; binding to specific cell-surface receptors and inhibiting viral penetration or uncoating; inhibiting viral protein synthesis; blocking late stages of virus assembly; etc.

Antiviral agents are instrumental in the treatment of influenza, but only in Type A infections.