How do antiviral agents generally differ from antibiotics?

Antiviral agents specifically target viruses, which is a fundamental distinction between them and antibiotics. Antivirals work by inhibiting various stages of the viral lifecycle, such as attachment, replication, and release of viral particles, thereby preventing the virus from causing disease or further infecting host cells.

In contrast, antibiotics are designed to combat bacterial infections, targeting specific functions or structures in bacteria that are absent in viruses. This specificity of antiviral agents makes them effective for viral infections like influenza, HIV, and hepatitis, while antibiotics would have no effect on these pathogens, emphasizing the different mechanisms of action and intended uses of these two classes of drugs.

By focusing on viral targets, antiviral drugs are able to disrupt viral propagation without directly interfering with the host's immune response or bacterial structures. This unique targeting is crucial for their effectiveness in treating viral diseases.