Carbon-based quantum dots (CQDs) mainly include spherical carbon dots and graphene quantum dots, which have attracted extensive attention in the fields of biological analysis, cell imaging and medical diagnosis due to their brilliant luminescent properties and excellent biocompatibility. The synthesis methods of CQDs include arc discharge, laser ablation, chemical oxidation, hydrothermal synthesis and so on. The luminescence mechanisms of CQDs include quantum confinement effect, surface defect model, conjugated π domain model, edge state model and so on. In recent years, it has been found that CQDs can not only be used to establish highly sensitive methods for virus detection, but also possess good antiviral activity. Based on the change of fluorescence signal of CQDs, the researchers have established new detection methods for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), adenovirus , human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus, etc.; besides, by changing the synthetic raw materials and surface modified molecules, the researchers have also developed CQDs with good inhibitory effect on the proliferation of many viruses, such as coronavirus, herpesvirus, flavivirus. In this paper, we briefly elaborates the synthesis methods and optical properties of CQDs, and systematically summarizes the research progress of CQDs in the field of virus detection and antivirus. Finally, the existing problems and the future development direction in this field were prospected.