[WillowIX]

Originally posted by Jatelka: MMM! AZT not really the best analogy there, although HIV mutates so that it avoids the bodies immune systsem, its relatively vulnerable to antiviral therapy: Influenza, corona and picorna viruses mutate far faster and therefore antivirals don't get a chance to do their stuff (this is why there has never been a cure for the common cold, or flu for that matter).

Not true. There are several substances on the market for the flu, for instance Amantadine and Ribavarin. There is also WIN-substrates against picornaviruses. And they do work just fine! The reason you don´t get them is that they are reserved for critical patients. This restriction ensures that the influenza virus will not mutate. Of course there already are existing mutants against these drugs.

As for my example I gave AZT a the example since this probably is the MOST KNOWN antiviral drug. It is not an attempt of an analogy of any kind.