Final answer:
Palliative medications, such as antiviral drugs and analgesics, are designed to alleviate symptoms rather than provide a cure for the underlying condition, focusing on patient comfort and quality of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that denotes medication used to alleviate symptoms without aiming to cure the underlying condition is “palliative.” These medications are integral in managing various illnesses, particularly when a full cure is not possible or the focus is on patient comfort. For instance, antiviral drugs like acyclovir for herpes manage the occurrences of outbreaks and lessen the duration, though they do not eradicate the virus. Similarly, analgesics and antipyretics relieve pain and fever, respectively, improving patient wellbeing. A range of medications including anti-inflammatories, OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen and NSAIDs, as well as antidepressants such as sertraline fall under palliative care, signifying their role in symptom management over a curative approach.While palliative treatments do not cure the underlying condition, they can help manage symptoms and improve the overall well-being of the patient.