A viricide is a chemical or herbal antiseptic which reliably deactivates or destroys viruses, either inside or outside the body. It differs from antiviral drugs such as acyclovir, combivir, and interferon, as they merely inhibit the development of the target virus.

Since the spermicide Nonoxynol-9 also shows some viricidal activity, many health experts recommended the use of spermicidally lubricated condoms for increased protection against HIV transmission. However, subsequent studies have shown that it can in fact increase the risk of infection.^[1]

[edit] See also

• Antiviral drug

[edit] References

1. ^ Siegfried, N: "Nonoxynol-9 for preventing vaginal acquisition of sexually transmitted infections by women from men : RHL commentary", The WHO Reproductive Health Library; Geneva: World Health Organization.

This medical treatment-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e