A method for treatment, prevention, or reduction of one-time or recurring viral outbreaks, for suppression of development or growth of chronic viral infections, or for prevention or treatment of viral infections, the method including, administering a synthetic lysine analog or mimetic, where the synthetic lysine analog or mimetic antagonizes or competes with an amino acid or other biological agent required by a virus to replicate or spread. Additionally, a composition to treat, prevent, or reduce one-time or recurrent viral outbreaks, suppress development or growth of chronic viral infections, or to prevent or treat viral infections, the composition including, a synthetic lysine analog or mimetic, where the synthetic lysine analog or mimetic antagonizes or competes with an amino acid or other biological agent required by a virus to replicate or spread.