[Antiviral therapy: from influenza to Pfeiffer's disease].

Antiviral drug therapy has rapidly evolved in recent years. A large number of specific inhibitors against newly detected viral targets has been developed. Viral infections except HIV and viral hepatitis infections are clinically relevant mostly in severely immunocompromised patients. Especially respiratory viral infections and herpes virus infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality in these patients. Therapeutic and preventive strategies have been developed for a number of these infections. There is high priority for the development of new substances for a number of viruses not yet treatable and substances active against resistant viral strains.