Which pairing correctly matches an antiviral with its targeted infection?

Which pairing correctly matches an antiviral with its targeted infection?

• A. Zidovudine — HBV
• B. Oseltamivir — CMV
• C. Acyclovir — HSV
• D. Amoxicillin — HIV

Answer: (C)

Antivirals are most effective when their mechanism targets the specific virus. Acyclovir is a guanosine analog that requires activation by viral thymidine kinase found in herpesviruses. After activation, it inhibits viral DNA polymerase and stops DNA synthesis, preferentially affecting HSV-1 and HSV-2 (and varicella-zoster virus). This makes it the correct pairing for HSV. Zidovudine (AZT) is an antiretroviral that targets HIV reverse transcriptase; while it may have some activity against HBV, its primary use is for HIV, not HBV. Oseltamivir inhibits influenza neuraminidase, not CMV. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that targets bacteria, not viruses, so it does not treat HIV.

Antivirals are most effective when their mechanism targets the specific virus. Acyclovir is a guanosine analog that requires activation by viral thymidine kinase found in herpesviruses. After activation, it inhibits viral DNA polymerase and stops DNA synthesis, preferentially affecting HSV-1 and HSV-2 (and varicella-zoster virus). This makes it the correct pairing for HSV.

Zidovudine (AZT) is an antiretroviral that targets HIV reverse transcriptase; while it may have some activity against HBV, its primary use is for HIV, not HBV. Oseltamivir inhibits influenza neuraminidase, not CMV. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that targets bacteria, not viruses, so it does not treat HIV.