Which agent is used to treat respiratory syncytial virus infection?

Which agent is used to treat respiratory syncytial virus infection?

• A. Ribavirin
• B. Amoxicillin-clavulanate
• C. Cytomegalovirus
• D. Klebsiella

Answer: (A)

Ribavirin is the antiviral used for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in certain situations. RSV is a viral illness, and most cases are managed with supportive care, but in severe disease—such as in high-risk infants or immunocompromised adults—ribavirin may be employed to help reduce viral replication. It acts as a nucleoside analogue that interferes with the virus’s RNA synthesis, limiting how quickly the virus can replicate. The other options don’t fit because amoxicillin-clavulanate is an antibiotic and won’t treat a viral infection unless a secondary bacterial infection is present. Cytomegalovirus is a different virus with its own specific antiviral therapies, not the RSV-targeted ribavirin. Klebsiella is a bacterium, and infections caused by it are treated with appropriate antibiotics, not antivirals.

Ribavirin is the antiviral used for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in certain situations. RSV is a viral illness, and most cases are managed with supportive care, but in severe disease—such as in high-risk infants or immunocompromised adults—ribavirin may be employed to help reduce viral replication. It acts as a nucleoside analogue that interferes with the virus’s RNA synthesis, limiting how quickly the virus can replicate.

The other options don’t fit because amoxicillin-clavulanate is an antibiotic and won’t treat a viral infection unless a secondary bacterial infection is present. Cytomegalovirus is a different virus with its own specific antiviral therapies, not the RSV-targeted ribavirin. Klebsiella is a bacterium, and infections caused by it are treated with appropriate antibiotics, not antivirals.