The invention relates to the areas of therapeutics, pharmaceuticals, drug discovery, and immunotherapy. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods of stimulating the immune system through the administration of flavone acetic acid [FAA] analogs, and in particular, the flavone acetic acid analog, 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) so as to comprise an antimicrobial therapeutic agent for the treatment of viral infections of DNA and RNA viruses in humans and non-human animals. The invention is especially suitable for use in a process of treating and preventing infection by, for example, rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, and influenza viruses.
