A water-soluble polymer having an aliphatic polycarbonate backbone, a first carbonate monomer with at least one hydrophilic functionality, and a second carbonate monomer with at least one hydrophobic functionality is able to completely and quickly eliminate a virus from a human and/or animal cell. The at least one hydrophilic functionality is a sulfate, a sulfonate, a carboxylate, and/or a phosphate and the at least one hydrophobic functionality is an alkyl. The hydrophilic/hydrophobic functionalities of the polymer may be tuned to enhance the antiviral properties of the polymer and/or to decrease any cytotoxicity associated with the application of the polymer to a human and/or animal cell. The antiviral polymer is biocompatible and biodegradable.