an·ti·vi·ral
ˌan-tē-ˈvī-rəl 
ˌan-tī-
: an antiviral agent and especially a drug
antivirals used in treating influenza
Examples of antiviral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Korin Miller, Health, 14 Apr. 2024
Doctors treated the Texas patient with an antiviral medication commonly used for the more familiar flu virus, and the person went into isolation.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
The official said current tests and treatments still work, and, if needed, there is a capacity to increase manufacturing of Tamiflu, an antiviral medication, millions of doses of which are in the national stockpile.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2024
He was treated with an antiviral and recovered, according to a CDC report.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 1 Apr. 2024
Rapid investment in diagnostic testing, coupled with efforts to secure essential materials, is imperative to ensure timely detection and antiviral treatment.
—Luciana Borio and Phil Krause, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024
The antiviral medication Paxlovid can reduce the length and severity of Covid-19.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 12 Feb. 2024
Because antiviral immune weapons can destroy tissues, cells typically turn them on only when there’s an active threat like an infection, Kagan said.
—Annie Melchor, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2024
Oseltamivir is the generic version of the antiviral medication Tamiflu.
—Carma Hassan, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
Katia Hetter, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
They were told to isolate and are recovering after being treated with flu antivirals, which seem to work against the virus, the CDC says.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
Without available vaccines or antivirals, experts say prevention is the key to staying healthy.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
Monitoring a herpes infection and taking antivirals during pregnancy can help prevent the spread of herpes to your baby.7
Use the appropriate protection during outbreaks.
—Jennifer Sabour, Health, 9 Mar. 2024
His center contracted with CDPH and federal authorities to reach Latinos, employing mobile units to test, vaccinate and eventually provide antivirals to workers around the Sacramento Valley.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024
People who test positive for COVID-19 may be treated with the antivirals Paxlovid or Molnupiravir, but treatment must begin within five days of symptom onset for best results, providers say.
—Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 6 Jan. 2024
An antiviral doesn’t exist, experts say, though medical providers may choose to administer oral Vitamin A to patients, in a bid to improve outcomes.
—Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 27 Jan. 2024
But as officials note, that’s exactly what antivirals are for.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Treatments depend on the cause but may include antibiotics, antiviral medications, breathing support, and home remedies.
—Korin Miller, Health, 14 Apr. 2024
Doctors treated the Texas patient with an antiviral medication commonly used for the more familiar flu virus, and the person went into isolation.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
The official said current tests and treatments still work, and, if needed, there is a capacity to increase manufacturing of Tamiflu, an antiviral medication, millions of doses of which are in the national stockpile.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2024
He was treated with an antiviral and recovered, according to a CDC report.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 1 Apr. 2024
Rapid investment in diagnostic testing, coupled with efforts to secure essential materials, is imperative to ensure timely detection and antiviral treatment.
—Luciana Borio and Phil Krause, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024
The antiviral medication Paxlovid can reduce the length and severity of Covid-19.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 12 Feb. 2024
Because antiviral immune weapons can destroy tissues, cells typically turn them on only when there’s an active threat like an infection, Kagan said.
—Annie Melchor, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2024
Oseltamivir is the generic version of the antiviral medication Tamiflu.
—Carma Hassan, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
Noun
Some antivirals are also approved for post-exposure prophylaxis, meaning that they are given to people who have not yet developed the illness but have had exposure to the virus.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
They were told to isolate and are recovering after being treated with flu antivirals, which seem to work against the virus, the CDC says.
—Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
Without available vaccines or antivirals, experts say prevention is the key to staying healthy.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
Monitoring a herpes infection and taking antivirals during pregnancy can help prevent the spread of herpes to your baby.7
Use the appropriate protection during outbreaks.
—Jennifer Sabour, Health, 9 Mar. 2024
His center contracted with CDPH and federal authorities to reach Latinos, employing mobile units to test, vaccinate and eventually provide antivirals to workers around the Sacramento Valley.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024
People who test positive for COVID-19 may be treated with the antivirals Paxlovid or Molnupiravir, but treatment must begin within five days of symptom onset for best results, providers say.
—Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 6 Jan. 2024
An antiviral doesn’t exist, experts say, though medical providers may choose to administer oral Vitamin A to patients, in a bid to improve outcomes.
—Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 27 Jan. 2024
But as officials note, that’s exactly what antivirals are for.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antiviral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near antiviral
Cite this Entry
“Antiviral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiviral. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
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