Final answer:
Antiviral medications are used to treat viral infections by blocking the actions of proteins specified by the virus, helping control symptoms without damaging host cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antiviral medications are used to treat viral infections. They work by inhibiting the synthesis and actions of proteins encoded by viral genes, ensuring these drugs do not harm the healthy host cells. These drugs have been crucial in managing diseases such as HIV and influenza, though their ability to completely cure viral diseases is often limited. Antiviral drugs target specific viral processes such as viral DNA replication or protein assembly, reducing the symptoms or spread of the virus.