title: Changing ideas on antiviral agents for respiratory infection.
abstract: Since the early 1950s it has been shown that some nontoxic antiviral substances, given either orally or intransally, can inhibit the growth of respiratory viruses and their clinical effects. The next targets of research are the improvement of present methods of drug administration and the exploration of the possibility of giving drugs in combination. The most potent antiviral agents available should be used to establish whether drugs given when symptoms commence can have a significant effect, i.e., whether antiviral therapy is possible.
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005289:Ferrets; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000187:drug effects; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007372:Interferons