Anti-viral medication

Anti-viral drugs are a group of medications used for treating infections by viruses. Like antibiotics for bacteria, certain anti-viral drugs are effective only against certain viruses. These drugs do not destroy the virus, but instead, they inhibit the growth of the virus. Most of the anti-viral drugs now available are specially designed to treat HIV, herpes viruses, chickenpox, hepatitis B and C and influenza A and B. The appropriate anti-viral drug should be selected based on the identification of the infecting virus. Anti-viral medications should be taken under the direct care of a physician and the response should be monitored closely.