Antivirals

Question 1

Why so few antivirals?

Answer 1

A virus can only replicate when it gets INSIDE of living organisms

So, in order for the antiviral agent to work, if most get get inside the host cell

Question 2

There are few antivirals available becuase:

Answer 2

1. Often the virus has finished replicating by the time S and S develop
2. Antivirals only work during cell replication
3. Viruses live inside the body’s cells, so drugs that kill virus could also kill healthy cells

Question 3

A virus is a

Answer 3

parasitic microbe (needing our body to live and to replicate)

Question 4

Viruses have

Answer 4

No cell wall of their own

Question 5

Viruses live by

Answer 5

inserting a speck of its own RNA or DNA into a healthy cell

Question 6

Antivirals kills viruses by

Answer 6

Inhibiting their ability to replicate. This allows the body’s immune system to destroy the virus

Question 7

Antivirals

Answer 7

Only effective against a few viruses

Question 8

Examples of viruses treated with antivirals

Answer 8

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

Herpes Zoster Virus (HZV)

Influenza A and B

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Hepatitis

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)