What is one potential outcome of ineffective antiviral therapy in chronic viral infections?

One potential outcome of ineffective antiviral therapy in chronic viral infections is an increased viral load. When antiviral medications are not effective, the virus can continue to replicate within the host, leading to a higher concentration of viral particles in the bloodstream and other tissues. This increased viral load can exacerbate the disease and can result in more severe symptoms, further complications, and challenges in managing the infection.

In contrast, complete viral eradication is usually the goal of effective antiviral therapy, decreased risk of transmission would typically be seen with successful treatment, and improved immune response may occur with effective therapy that allows the immune system to better control the infection. Hence, ineffective antiviral therapy leads to the opposite effect of increased viral load, which underscores the importance of timely and effective treatment in managing chronic viral infections.