Anti-viral medications

Anti-viral medications are used to treat viral infections by inhibiting viral development stages, such as replication, thus preventing the virus from spreading and reducing the severity of the disease.
Unlike antibiotics, which work against bacteria, anti-viral drugs do not destroy their target pathogen; instead, they inhibit their development, making the host’s immune system more effective in fighting off the virus.
Anti-viral medications are not broad-spectrum (effective against a wide range of viruses). Each drug is usually effective against a specific viral family or specific viruses within a family.
Examples of common anti-viral drugs include Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for flu, acyclovir for herpes, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV/AIDS.

The mechanism of action of anti-viral medications depends on the specific drug and virus. These mechanisms can include blocking virus entry into the host cell, inhibiting the replication of viral genetic material, and preventing the assembly and release of new viral particles.
Reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., AZT used in HIV treatment) block the activity of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme viruses use to copy their own RNA or DNA.
Protease inhibitors (e.g., used in HIV and hepatitis C treatments) stop viruses from assembling into infectious particles.
Neuraminidase inhibitors (e.g., oseltamivir) prevent new virus particles from leaving the infected cell, thus limiting disease spread within the body.

Just like bacteria, viruses can also develop resistance to anti-viral drugs. This happens when the virus mutates (changes its genetic structure) and the drug is no longer effective against the new form of the virus.
Side effects of anti-viral medications can range from mild (nausea, headaches) to severe (kidney or liver damage). The benefits of these pharmaceuticals usually outweigh their potential side effects, as they are often used to treat serious illnesses.
As with any medication, it’s essential to follow the prescribed dosage and duration of treatment to prevent drug resistance and ensure the medication’s effectiveness.