Which of the following statements about the role of acyclovir is true?

Acyclovir is an antiviral medication primarily used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses, particularly herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The correct statement regarding the role of acyclovir is that it slows replication of the virus.

Acyclovir functions by interfering with the viral DNA synthesis. It is a nucleoside analog that gets incorporated into the viral DNA, ultimately leading to premature termination of the DNA chain. This action inhibits the replication process of the virus, thereby reducing the viral load in the body and alleviating the severity of the infection. By slowing the replication of the virus, acyclovir helps manage outbreaks of herpes infections, allowing the immune system to respond effectively.

The other statements do not accurately reflect the action of acyclovir; it does not enhance the immune system, speed up viral replication, or have no effect on the viral lifecycle, as the primary function of acyclovir is indeed to inhibit and slow down the replication of the viruses it targets.