@aaronq

why do you think it is more difficult to design an antiviral drug with no harmful side effects than an antibacterial drug with no side effects?

Question

@aaronq 

 why do you think it is more difficult to design an antiviral drug with no harmful side effects than an antibacterial drug with no side effects?

anonymous · Answer

@bahrom7893 @dumbcow

anonymous · Answer

@Jamierox4ev3r

aaronq · Answer

A lot antibacterial drugs attack the cell walls of bacteria and have no effect on us because of the different chemical compositions. Anti-viral drugs would have to attack the nuclei of cells and the selectivity of the drug for only infected cells would be very difficult to achieve.

aaronq · Answer

which would lead to a lot of healthy cells being attacked by the drug.