A method effective in treating a viral infection involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound capable of inhibiting expression of at least a portion of a virus genome containing an internal ribosomal entry site, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compound has an azole moiety comprising a five member heterocyclic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom, a hydrophobic moiety bonded to the heterocyclic ring of the azole, and a donor/acceptor moiety bonded to the heterocyclic ring having at least one of hydrogen bond donor and a hydrogen bond acceptor.
