Ribavirin is primarily used to treat which respiratory virus?

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Multiple Choice

Ribavirin is primarily used to treat which respiratory virus?

Ribavirin is an antiviral used most prominently against respiratory syncytial virus infections. It’s a guanosine analogue that interferes with viral RNA synthesis, reducing RSV replication, which is why it’s used especially in severe cases in infants or immunocompromised patients. It doesn’t treat bacteria like Klebsiella or Mycoplasma, which rely on antibiotics, and it’s not the standard treatment for CMV (a DNA virus) that is managed with drugs such as ganciclovir. So the virus most associated with ribavirin use in respiratory illness is RSV.

Ribavirin is an antiviral used most prominently against respiratory syncytial virus infections. It’s a guanosine analogue that interferes with viral RNA synthesis, reducing RSV replication, which is why it’s used especially in severe cases in infants or immunocompromised patients. It doesn’t treat bacteria like Klebsiella or Mycoplasma, which rely on antibiotics, and it’s not the standard treatment for CMV (a DNA virus) that is managed with drugs such as ganciclovir. So the virus most associated with ribavirin use in respiratory illness is RSV.

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