Introduction to viruses: Difference between revisions

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==== Antiviral drugs ====

{{Main|Antiviral drug}}

[[File:Guanosine-acyclovir- aciclovir comparison.pngsvg|thumb|upright|The structure of the DNA base [[guanosine]] and the antiviral drug [[aciclovir]] which functions by mimicking it]]

Since the mid-1980s, the development of [[antiviral drug]]s has increased rapidly, mainly driven by the AIDS pandemic. Antiviral drugs are often [[nucleoside analogue]]s, which masquerade as DNA building blocks ([[nucleoside]]s). When the replication of virus DNA begins, some of the fake building blocks are used. This prevents DNA replication because the drugs lack the essential features that allow the formation of a DNA chain. When DNA production stops the virus can no longer reproduce.<ref>{{harvnb|Shors|2017|pp=514–515}}</ref> Examples of nucleoside analogues are [[aciclovir]] for [[Herpesviridae|herpes virus]] infections and [[lamivudine]] for HIV and [[hepatitis B virus]] infections. Aciclovir is one of the oldest and most frequently prescribed antiviral drugs.<ref>{{harvnb|Shors|2017|p=514}}</ref>