TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Treatment of Infections II: Antiviral Drugs A1 - Ciccone, Charles D. A1 - Bednarek, Melissa L. A1 - Miller, Kenneth L. PY - 2022 T2 - Pharmacology in Rehabilitation, 5e AB - A virus is one of the smallest microorganisms, consisting of only a nucleic acid core surrounded by a protein shell.1 Several types of viruses commonly infect human cells and are responsible for a diverse range of pathologies. Viral infections extend from relatively mild disorders such as the common cold to serious, life-threatening conditions such as AIDS. Viruses are somewhat unique in that they must rely totally on the metabolic processes of the host (human) cell to function.2 Hence, the pharmacological treatment of viral infections is complex, because it is often difficult to selectively destroy the virus without also destroying human cells. SN - PB - F. A. Davis Company CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/10/09 UR - fadavisat.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1188530957 ER -