Which antiviral medication is primarily used to treat the herpes virus?

Acyclovir is primarily used to treat infections caused by the herpes virus, including herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, and varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles. This medication works by inhibiting viral DNA synthesis, thereby preventing the virus from replicating. Acyclovir selectively targets the enzyme that herpes viruses use to replicate their DNA, which makes it effective in reducing the severity and duration of herpes outbreaks.

Other antiviral medications mentioned, such as ribavirin, are used to treat different viral infections, including respiratory syncytial virus and hepatitis C, but they are not effective against the herpes virus. Oseltamivir, on the other hand, is primarily used to treat influenza, indicating that different antiviral medications target specific viruses. Ganciclovir is utilized for cytomegalovirus infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients, and is not the first-line treatment for herpes infections. Acyclovir stands out as the correct choice because of its specific action against herpes virus replication.