Antiviral (/ˌæn.tiˈvaɪ.rəl/) (adjective/noun): A type of drug that is used to treat infections caused by viruses.
Synonyms: Anti-viral, Virus-killing, Viricidal
Antonyms: Pro-viral, Viral enhancer
Example:
- The doctor prescribed an antiviral medication to help the patient fight off the infection.
What Does “Antiviral” Mean?
In simple terms, antiviral refers to something that works against viruses. It is most commonly used as an adjective to describe medications or treatments designed to combat viral infections.
Antiviral Medication
Where Might You Encounter “Antiviral” in the IELTS Exam?
The word “antiviral” is most likely to appear in the IELTS Listening or Reading sections, particularly in passages or recordings related to:
- Health and Medicine: Discussions about diseases, treatments, pandemics, etc.
- Science and Technology: Articles about medical research, drug development, or biotechnology.
- Current Events: News reports on outbreaks, epidemics, or public health issues.
Using “Antiviral” in Your IELTS Responses
Speaking (Part 3)
Examiner: “What are some of the challenges in developing new antiviral drugs?”
Candidate: “Well, viruses are constantly mutating, which makes it difficult to create antiviral medications that remain effective over time. Another challenge is ensuring that these drugs target the virus without harming the patient’s healthy cells.”
Writing (Task 2)
Topic: “Some people believe that governments should invest more in preventative healthcare rather than focusing on treatments for existing diseases. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
Sample response: “…While investing in treatments like antiviral drugs and other medications is crucial for managing existing diseases, shifting the focus towards preventative measures like vaccination and promoting healthy lifestyles could significantly reduce the burden on healthcare systems in the long run…”
Combining “Antiviral” with Other Words
- Broad-spectrum antiviral: Effective against a wide range of viruses.
- Antiviral resistance: The ability of a virus to survive and multiply in the presence of antiviral drugs.
- Antiviral therapy: The use of antiviral drugs to treat a viral infection.
Idioms and Expressions Related to “Antiviral”
While there aren’t any direct idioms using “antiviral,” you can use related expressions like:
- “Nipping it in the bud”: This idiom means to stop something at an early stage, which relates to the preventative aspect of antiviral treatments.
- “A shot in the arm”: This idiom refers to something that provides a boost or improvement, similar to how antiviral drugs can help fight off infections.
Conclusion
Understanding the meaning and usage of words like “antiviral” is crucial for achieving a high score in your IELTS exam, particularly in the context of health and science-related topics. By incorporating this vocabulary into your speaking and writing, you demonstrate your ability to discuss complex issues with precision and fluency. Remember to practice using “antiviral” in various contexts and sentence structures to enhance your lexical resource and improve your overall performance.