"V体育官网入口" Antiviral Resistance

Antivirals treat certain contagious viruses that cause infections and illness, such as:

• Influenza (the flu).
• Genital herpes.
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

For certain viruses like HIV and herpes, antiviral drugs lower the chances of spreading the infection to others. You can also take antivirals to prevent getting sick after a suspected or known viral exposure VSports最新版本.

How do antivirals work?

A virus causes infection by entering healthy host cells and making copies of itself (replicating). Antiviral medications block the virus’s ability to replicate V体育平台登录.

One way antivirals fight off viruses is by preventing a virus from attaching to and entering cells VSports注册入口. A virus without a host can’t multiply.

"VSports" What causes antiviral resistance?

Antivirals help lower the amount of a virus (viral load), but the virus is always there. If you miss prescribed doses of an antiviral or stop treatment too soon, the virus may start multiplying again. As it replicates, the virus’s genetic makeup may mutate (change) V体育官网入口.

If a virus goes through too many changes, the antiviral drug won’t recognize the new virus variant (version of the virus) VSports在线直播. Once a virus is drug resistant, the medication can’t keep it from multiplying.

Sometimes, a virus stops responding to previously effective antivirals for no known reason. This effect is called spontaneous resistance.

Who is at risk for developing antiviral resistance?

People who take antivirals for long periods to treat chronic viral infections like HIV, genital herpes and hepatitis B or hepatitis C are more at risk for antiviral resistance.

People who have compromised immune systems due to autoimmune disease, organ transplants or cancer treatments like chemotherapy are also at greater risk for antiviral resistance.

Are antiviral-resistant viruses contagious?

Yes. This situation is called transmitted drug resistance. People who develop an antiviral-resistant strain of a virus can pass it to others through the exchange of bodily fluids like semen, saliva and blood. If you're pregnant, you can also pass antiviral-resistant viruses to your baby during the birthing process.

With transmitted resistance, a virus is already resistant to specific antivirals even if you’ve never taken the drug. Your healthcare provider will try other antivirals.

How are antiviral-resistant viruses detected?

A blood test can check for antiviral resistance if you have HIV. There are two types:

• Genotypic antiretroviral resistance test (GART): Looks for drug-resistant changes in HIV genes.
• Phenotypic antiretroviral resistance test: Measures how the HIV strain responds to different concentrations of antiviral medicines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also use blood tests to see if viruses like the flu and COVID-19 are becoming drug resistant.

How are antiviral-resistant viruses treated?

If a virus shows signs of developing antiviral resistance, your healthcare provider may increase the dose or switch you to a different antiviral drug. Some viruses have a limited number of approved antiviral treatments.

Some people with potentially life-threatening chronic viral infections like HIV may take two antiviral medicines at the same time. A virus is unlikely to develop resistance to both drugs at the same time. One drug is always working to keep the virus in check.

Can you prevent antiviral resistance?

The best way to prevent antiviral resistance is to take medicines exactly as prescribed. Set a reminder on your phone to ensure you take the medicine at the same time each day. Ask your healthcare provider what to do if you miss a dose. You may need to take the medicine as soon as you remember.