Which statement is true according to the material?

• A. HIV is a retrovirus
• B. Standard antivirals are effective against HIV
• C. Standard antivirals are effective against COVID
• D. HIV and COVID are easily treated by antivirals

Answer: (A)

HIV being a retrovirus means its genetic material is RNA and it uses reverse transcriptase to turn that RNA into DNA, which then becomes integrated into the host cell’s genome. That unique step in its life cycle makes HIV difficult to treat with the same drugs used for many other viruses. Drugs that work for herpes or influenza, for example, target enzymes or steps those viruses rely on, but they don’t effectively shut down HIV’s replication. To control HIV, therapy must specifically inhibit components of the HIV life cycle—reverse transcriptase, protease, integrase, and sometimes entry mechanisms—usually in combination to prevent resistance. Because of this, the statement HIV is a retrovirus is true, while the idea that standard antivirals are broadly effective against HIV isn’t. As for COVID, effective antiviral regimens exist but they are specific drugs (and timing matters); they aren’t the same “standard antiviral” approach used for other viruses, and saying HIV and COVID are easily treated by antivirals isn’t accurate.