The Tec family of tyrosine kinases, consisting of five family members Tec, Btk, Itk, Rlk, and BMX, are key regulators of signaling pathways of T lymphocytes. Many existing antiviral therapies rely on inhibition of viral replication, which leads to emergence or selection of resistant viruses. The current technology provides an alternative method for prevention or treatment of viral infection through administration of a Tec tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Such inhibitors can be siRNA, small chemical compounds, antisense or antibody. The current technology describes the inhibition of Itk (also known as Emt and Tsk) and the resulting decrease in HIV infectivity, replication, and transcription for exemplary purposes. Importantly, these inhibitors do not affect the expression of HIV co-receptors CCR5, CXCR4, or CD4. The current technology could be used in combination with therapeutics that target virus replication.