ABSTRACT
Antiviral drugs are used to treat infections caused by viruses. Because viruses can only function within the cells of their hosts, it has been difcult to produce drugs that act specically against viruses without damaging their host cells. The effectiveness of antiviral drugs is therefore limited. Fortunately, the majority of viral infections resolve spontaneously in most people and do not require specic medication. However, in individuals, whose ability to ght infection is impaired because of drug therapy (e.g., immunosuppressants) or disease (e.g., AIDS), antiviral treatment may be lifesaving.
