Why are antiviral agents used in our life?

Nowadays, virus is found everywhere and that is why it constitutes a danger to all life forms (animals, plants, bacteria and archaea) of our planet.

But what is a virus? A virus is a small contagion or infectious agent that can have the ability to multiply inside the living cells of organisms. The word virus comes from the Latin and is referred to poison and other noxious substances. This word was used for the first time in England in 1392.

Viruses have different mechanisms and ways of affecting an organism and producing diseases. Everything depends on the viral species. Most viruses are very small and cannot be seen directly with an optical microscope. There are common human diseases, which are caused by viruses. They include colds, influenza, chicken pox and herpes. There are known real epidemics, which swept off millions of people. But humanity did not give up and struggled for life. It did all possible but to remain alive. It has taken many centuries till there appeared new and effective antiviral agents (antiviral drugs). Antivirals are used to treat viral infections as viral infections are often resistant to treatment from antibiotics. And antibiotics are of no help in such situations.

An antiviral agent is an agent, that kills viruses, reduces and suppresses their replication. Consequently, it inhibits their capability of multiplying and reproduction.

For example, Acyclovir (BRAND name: Cyclovir) is a drug prescribed to fight different strains of the herpes virus, especially herpes simplex virus type I, as well as genital herpes, shingles, chicken pox. This drug has an ability to inhibit viral replication and in such a way it lessens the severity of the disease.

Valtrex tablets (Valacyclovir Hydrochloride) stop the reproduction of the virus as well. As a result, the length and gravity of herpes outbreak is reduced.

Tamiflu is an antiviral medication, used to combat influenza infections. Tamiflu treats both type A and B strains of flu.

Relenza is a medication, used to treat symptoms, which are caused by the flu virus in adults and children. It makes such symptoms (e.g., runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, shivering, tiredness) less severe and acute.

The most effective medical approaches to viral diseases are vaccinations. When a person is vaccinated, he gets immunity to certain infections. If for some reasons it is not possible, the agents will be of use in the prophylaxis or therapy of virus diseases.

However, antiviral agents must be constantly changed because viruses are changing every single minute due to many factors. That is why there has to be a corresponding weapon to kill them.