Drugs for Viral and Retroviral Infections

These flashcards cover key concepts related to antiviral and antiretroviral drugs including their actions, uses, and patient education.

What are viruses and how do they reproduce?

Viruses are small infectious agents that can reproduce only inside the living cells of a host organism.

What are antivirus medications designed to do?

Antivirals decrease symptoms of viral infection by stopping the virus from growing, but they cannot kill the virus.

What virus does Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) cause?

HSV-1 is responsible for cold sores.

Which antiviral drugs are commonly used for influenza infections?

Antiviral drugs that prevent the virus from opening its outer coat and reduce symptoms of influenza are commonly used.

List one action of antiviral drugs for cytomegalovirus and respiratory syncytial virus.

They inhibit the viral enzyme required to make more DNA for viral reproduction.

What classes of drugs are used to treat Hepatitis B?

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), DNA polymerase inhibitors, and interferon are used to treat Hepatitis B.

What is a common side effect of antiviral drugs for hepatitis B and C?

Common side effects include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and headache.

Define retroviruses.

Retroviruses are organisms that transmit their own information into the cell’s DNA using RNA instead of DNA for reproduction.

What is the role of antiretroviral drugs?

Antiretrovirals slow the growth or prevent duplication of retroviruses, but do not kill the virus.

Name one nursing implication for patients on antiretroviral therapy.

Adherence to medication is essential, and patients should report all drugs and supplements used.