The present invention relates to the use of imatinib for treating viral liver diseases and in particular for viral hepatitis. The invention provides the use of imatinib for inhibiting replication, transmission or both of hepatitis viruses. The invention further relates to the use of imatinib for inhibiting replication, transmission or both of other viruses including herpes virus, poxvirus, influenza virus, para influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, yellow fever virus, west nile virus, and encephalitis virus.
