RT Book, Section A1 Ciccone, Charles D. SR Print(0) ID 1180857289 T1 Treatment of Infections II: Antiviral Drugs T2 Pharmacology in Rehabilitation YR 2016 FD 2016 PB F. A. Davis Company PP New York, NY SN 9780803640290 LK fadavispt.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1180857289 RD 2024/03/28 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.