What is one of the effects of antivirals on viral load in the body?

Antivirals are designed to intervene in the viral life cycle, thus reducing the amount of virus present in the body, commonly referred to as viral load. By either inhibiting viral replication or enhancing the body's immune response against the virus, these medications effectively decrease the quantity of virus. A lower viral load can lead to improved clinical outcomes, reduced transmissibility, and a lower risk of complications associated with viral infections.

The goal of antiviral treatment is often to bring viral load to undetectable levels or at least significantly reduce it to manage the infection better. This reduction is crucial in various viral infections, such as HIV, where maintaining a low viral load can help preserve immune function and prevent progression to AIDS.