What do antiviral drugs actually do? I did hear they can reduce the effects of some illnesses, but as far as I know there's been no change in the fact we can't actually cure viruses. Technically we can but not without killing the host cell as well.

Baloo55th

Off the top of me head, I'd say they interfere with the natural processes of the virus. Viruses can only reproduce in other organisms, and make use of the cells of the host in order to do this. If the virus gets coated with something, say, it may not be able to penetrate a host cell and will be a target for a leucocyte to gobble it up. They can't be 'killed' like bacteria can - they're not really alive in the first place in many ways. But they can be inhibited, so that the body can build up its defences before the nasty little things spread everywhere. Once a virus is in a host cell, you can only destroy it with the host as well, as you say. So you have to stop it getting in... A bit like preventing the burglar getting in being better than catching him afterwards. Apr 05 05, 3:54 PM

ogicu8abruok

Maybe antiviral drugs put the virus into a lysogenic state, which means they stop interfering with the host cells. Like if you get mononucleosis, but you don't show the symptoms. Apr 05 05, 4:03 PM

TheAlphaWolf

if they'd put it into a lysogenic cycle, that's just posponing it Apr 05 05, 5:38 PM