Viruses function by reproducing. However, in the real sense they do not really reproduce, but multiply. The virus structure is made in a way that allows it to replicate itself, thus creating numerous viruses. This is the reason why many will refer to the process as reproduction.here are two main ways that viruses reproduce or multiply and these are listed below. 1  Lytic Cycle: With the lytic cycle, the virus attaches itself to a host cell and infuses the cell with its nucleic acid.