A patient is taking a combination of antiviral drugs as treatment for early stages of a viral infection. While discussing the drug therapy, the patient asks the nurse if the drugs will kill the virus. When answering, the nurse keeps in mind which fact about antiviral drugs?

They are given for palliative reasons only.

They may also kill healthy cells while killing viruses.

They will be effective as long as the patient is not exposed to the virus again.

They can be given in large enough doses to eradicate the virus without harming the body’s healthy cells.

The correct answer is: b) They may also kill healthy cells while killing viruses.