As a result of the convergence of multiple independent advances, diagnostic virology is rapidly moving into the mainstream of clinical practise. For example, rapid advancements in antiviral therapy have increased the demand for particular viral diagnoses. Second, advances in technology, notably in the field of nucleic acid chemistry, have resulted in the development of significant new tools for viral diagnosis. Third, as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the number of patients at risk for opportunistic viral infections has increased dramatically. These advancements are not only boosting the use of diagnostic virology, but they are also reshaping it.