antiviral

American  

[an-tahy-vahy-ruhl, an-tee-] / ˌæn taɪˈvaɪ rəl, ˌæn ti- /

adjective

1. Medicine/Medical, Pharmacology.

   1. (of a drug or therapy) developed to effectively treat an infection caused by a virus.

   2. of or relating to a substance used to prevent or treat a viral infection.

      Raw garlic has been found to have antiviral properties.

2. Computers. (of software) programmed to detect, neutralize, and remove computer viruses.

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noun

1. Medicine/Medical, Pharmacology. an antiviral drug, other substance, or therapy.

antiviral British  

/ ˌæntɪˈvaɪrəl /

adjective

1. inhibiting the growth of viruses

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noun

1. any antiviral drug: used to treat diseases caused by viruses, such as herpes infections and AIDS

Etymology

Origin of antiviral

First recorded in 1925–30; anti- ( def. ) + viral ( def. )

Example Sentences

For many years, doctors questioned whether a commonly prescribed antiviral drug for children with the flu was responsible for serious neuropsychiatric symptoms, or whether those effects were actually caused by the infection itself.

From Science Daily

Early diagnosis of flu can help stave off the worst by giving those who are sick time to take antiviral medications like Tamiflu.

From Los Angeles Times

He encouraged people with underlying health conditions who develop symptoms to get tested as soon as possible so that they can begin treatment with an antiviral sooner.

From MarketWatch

The finding points to a potential new direction for antiviral therapies in the future.

From Science Daily

Fewer birth-dose hepatitis B shots will mean more chronic infections, which will then lead to higher spending on liver disease, including expensive antiviral therapy, hospitalizations and a subset of patients who will need transplantation.

From MarketWatch