What type of agent would be used to specifically target viruses?

The answer is identified as virucide, which refers to agents specifically designed to inactivate or destroy viruses. Virucides work by targeting the viral structure or function, effectively preventing the virus from attaching to host cells or reproducing within them. In clinical settings, virucides are crucial for sterilizing surfaces or equipment that may come into contact with viral pathogens, thereby reducing the potential for transmission.

In contrast, antifungal agents, like fungicides, focus on eradicating fungal infections and are not effective against viruses. Antiseptics are substances used to inhibit the growth of microorganisms on living tissues, but their broad-spectrum activity does not specifically target viruses as virucides do. Antiviral agents, while effective at treating viral infections or preventing their replication within the host, generally refer to medications rather than agents used for sterilization or decontamination purposes like virucides.