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how do viruses get into a host cell?
- Viral replication is dependent on the specificity of virus binding to a particular host tissue
- Specific structures on the virus recognize receptors on the host cell surface
- Once attached, the virus must penetrate the host cell
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what happens when viruses get inside?
- Uncoating occurs
- This is followed by using host machinery to transcribe viral RNS into proteins needed to make more virus
- Antiviral drugs target a viral enzyme or protein needed by the virus but not the host
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immunocompromised immune systems and viruses:
- A competent immune system will be able to eliminate or control a viral infection
- The immunocompromised, such as AIDS, transplant or cancer patients are more likely to have frequent viral infections
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how do antivirals work?
- Must possess the ability to enter cells infected with a virus
- The ability to interfere with viral binding, RNA, DNA or protein synthesis
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small sampling of viral infections:
(type of infections we will be treating with these drugs)
- Herpes simplex
- Varicella zoster
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Influenza
- HIV
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