A client has been diagnosed with herpes simplex virus. The client states that, "modern medicine produces more and more antivirals every year, and so the treatment should be simple." Which of the following statements listed below is the best response?
A) "The recent rise of drug resistance has significantly hampered the elimination of viruses."
B) "The cell coat of viruses is particularly resilient to the available synthetic antivirals."
C) "The use of antivirals is severely limited by the unwanted adverse effects that they cause."
D) "Treatment options for viruses are often limited because what destroys viruses often damages your own body cells."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Viruses are difficult to treat because interference with their replication often requires interference with the body's cell replication processes. Although they do exist with antiviral treatments, drug resistance and side effects are phenomena more closely associated with antibacterials. Antivirals act upon DNA or RNA synthesis, not the cell wall.

A Client Has Been Diagnosed with Herpes Simplex Virus