Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/ˌæntɪˈvaɪrəl ˈeɪdʒənt/

Meaning and Usage

An antiviral agent refers to a substance that is effective in inhibiting the development of viruses. These agents can be used to treat viral infections or to prevent viruses from multiplying. Antiviral agents are commonly employed in medical settings, particularly in the treatment of infections like influenza, HIV, and Hepatitis C.

This term is primarily used in written contexts, especially in academic, medical, and scientific literature. It incorporates specialized terminology and is frequently found in research articles, medical guides, and pharmacological discussions.

Example Sentences

1. Antiviral agents are essential in the treatment of HIV infections.

2. Антивирусные препараты необходимы для лечения инфекций ВИЧ.

3. The new antiviral agent showed promising results in clinical trials.

4. Новый антивирусный препарат продемонстрировал обнадеживающие результаты в клинических испытаниях.

5. Researchers are developing an antiviral agent that targets the flu virus specifically.

6. Исследователи разрабатывают антивирусный препарат, который нацелен непосредственно на вирус гриппа.

Idiomatic Expressions

Usage in Idiomatic Expressions

While the term "antiviral agent" may not appear in many idiomatic expressions, it can be referenced in discussions about health, treatment, and medicine. However, the word "virus" does give rise to various idiomatic phrases related to the concept of viruses and health:

1. "A viral sensation" - Describes something that becomes extremely popular or widespread in a short amount of time, often used in the context of social media.
2. The video became a viral sensation, reaching millions of viewers overnight.

3. Видео стало вирусной сенсацией, достигнув миллионов зрителей за ночь.

4. "Caught a bug" - Means to contract an illness, often a minor one like a cold.

5. I think I caught a bug over the weekend; I’ve been feeling ill.

6. Думаю, я подхватил вирус за выходные; мне не здоровится.

7. "Viral load" - A term used in medicine that refers to the amount of virus present in the body.

8. Monitoring the viral load is crucial for managing treatment effectiveness.
9. Мониторинг вирусной нагрузки имеет решающее значение для управления эффективностью лечения.

Etymology

The term antiviral combines the prefix "anti-" meaning "against" and "viral," which originates from the Latin "virus" meaning "poison" or "slimy liquid." The term "agent" comes from Latin "agens," meaning "doing, driving, or acting." The combination reflects its purpose in combating viral infections.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Antiviral drug - Antiviral medication - Antiviral compound

Antonyms: - Pro-viral (though this term is less commonly used, referring to processes that support virus replication) - None directly applicable since "antiviral agent" is a specific term for substances combatting viruses.