What is a potential outcome of blocking the assembly of new viruses in the body?

Blocking the assembly of new viruses in the body can effectively slow down the progression of a viral infection. When the assembly of new viral particles is inhibited, the virus is unable to propagate and spread further within the host. This means that the viral load in the body decreases, leading to fewer opportunities for the virus to infect more cells. Consequently, the immune system can better manage and clear the existing viral particles that are already present, which in combination with other treatments or the body’s own immune response, can help control the spread of the disease.

The other options may describe outcomes that are not typically associated with blocking virus assembly. Complete recovery from the infection would suggest that all viral replication has ceased entirely, which may not always be achievable simply by blocking assembly. No effect on patient health implies that there would be no response from the body to the infection, which contradicts the role of antiviral strategies. Finally, enhancing viral mutation rates often happens when viruses replicate in high numbers; blocking assembly would likely reduce the opportunity for mutations rather than enhance them.