Ribavirin is primarily used to treat which virus?

Ribavirin is primarily utilized in the treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This antiviral medication is particularly effective against RSV due to its ability to inhibit viral RNA synthesis, thereby reducing viral replication. It is commonly administered in aerosolized form for respiratory applications, particularly in infants and young children who are at a higher risk for severe RSV infections.

In the context of RSV, ribavirin helps mitigate symptoms and decrease the severity of the infection, which can be especially critical in vulnerable populations. While ribavirin has been studied for various viral infections, its most established and prominent use is in managing RSV.

The other choices represent viruses for which ribavirin is not the primary treatment. For example, influenza A is typically treated with antiviral medications such as oseltamivir or zanamivir. COVID-19 has various treatment options, including antivirals like remdesivir but not ribavirin as a first-line treatment. Herpes Simplex Virus treatments usually involve antiviral medications like acyclovir or valacyclovir rather than ribavirin.