Every antivirus program contains database that contains information about viruses. This database needs to be updated frequently so that it contains the most up-to-date virus information and so that every new virus can be caught and disabled. If not,the virus will not be stopped and the virus infection will infect the computer and the programs on it. So the virus infection does not disable the antivirus program. If the antivirus program does nit have the virus infection in its database than it will not recognize it.