Which statement about herpes antiviral therapy is true?

Which statement about herpes antiviral therapy is true?

• A. Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, and Famciclovir are used to treat herpes viruses
• B. Tamiflu is used to treat herpes viruses
• C. Fluconazole is used to treat herpes viruses
• D. Nystatin is used to treat herpes viruses

Answer: (A)

Herpes antiviral therapy relies on nucleoside analogs that selectively block viral DNA replication. Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, and Famciclovir are in this class: acyclovir is activated in infected cells by viral thymidine kinase and then inhibits viral DNA polymerase; valacyclovir and famciclovir are prodrugs that improve oral bioavailability and are converted to active forms that do the same job. These drugs are effective against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and varicella-zoster virus. The other options are agents for influenza or fungi, not herpesviruses, so they aren’t appropriate treatments for herpes infections.

Herpes antiviral therapy relies on nucleoside analogs that selectively block viral DNA replication. Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, and Famciclovir are in this class: acyclovir is activated in infected cells by viral thymidine kinase and then inhibits viral DNA polymerase; valacyclovir and famciclovir are prodrugs that improve oral bioavailability and are converted to active forms that do the same job. These drugs are effective against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and varicella-zoster virus. The other options are agents for influenza or fungi, not herpesviruses, so they aren’t appropriate treatments for herpes infections.