An antiviral is a medicine or substance that acts against viruses or inhibits their ability to reproduce.
Antiviral medicines work by interfering with specific stages of viral replication. Different antivirals target different viruses, and many are effective only against particular viruses or groups of viruses.
Antivirals are different from antibiotics because antibiotics target bacteria rather than viruses. Some viral infections have effective antiviral treatments, while others are managed primarily through supportive care or prevention.
QUICK FACT
Antibiotics do not treat viruses. A bacterial infection and a viral infection require different approaches to treatment.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Antibiotic: Antibiotics act against bacteria, whereas antivirals act against viruses.
SEE ALSO
- Antimicrobial
- Antibiotic
- Antifungal
- Antiparasitic
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Infectious agent