Which class of antiviral agents is primarily used to treat influenza?

Neuraminidase inhibitors are the primary class of antiviral agents used to treat influenza, making this option the correct choice. These medications work by targeting the neuraminidase enzyme present on the surface of the influenza virus. This enzyme is essential for the virus's replication process, as it facilitates the release of newly formed viral particles from infected cells. By inhibiting neuraminidase, these agents reduce the spread of the virus within the respiratory tract and shorten the duration of flu symptoms.

In contrast, the other classes of antiviral agents mentioned serve different purposes. Protease inhibitors are primarily used in the treatment of HIV and hepatitis C, targeting viral proteases that are essential for viral protein processing. Integrase inhibitors, also used for HIV treatment, inhibit the viral integrase enzyme that facilitates the integration of viral DNA into the host cell's genome. NRTIs (Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors) are another important class utilized in HIV treatment, preventing the reverse transcription process necessary for the virus's replication. These agents, while effective against specific viruses, do not have a role in treating influenza, distinguishing neuraminidase inhibitors as the specific choice for influenza therapeutic management.