Question

How is nevirapine used to treat HIV infections?

A. It alters the active site of reverse transcriptase, decreasing that enzyme's activity.
B. It increases the immune system's ability to detect the virus.
C. It binds to the active site of HIV reverse transcriptase, decreasing that enzyme's activity.
D. It decreases the virus's ability to find host cells.

Answer 1

Nevirapine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that prevents HIV from replicating by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme's activity, an essential part of the virus's lifecycle. It is commonly used as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to manage HIV/AIDS.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nevirapine is used in the treatment of HIV infections as a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). It operates by binding directly to the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme, causing a conformational change that inhibits the enzyme's activity. This prevents the conversion of viral RNA into DNA, effectively halting the virus's ability to replicate within human cells.

The management of HIV/AIDS typically requires a combination of antiretroviral drugs, known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which significantly reduces the amount of HIV in the body, maintains immune system function, and lowers the risk of opportunistic infections and transmission.