What is the purpose of administering Acyclovir to children with chickenpox?

• A. To decrease the number of lesions
• B. To cure the disease in 24 hours
• C. To prevent all transmission
• D. To alleviate itching only

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that acyclovir works by slowing the varicella-zoster virus’s ability to replicate, which reduces how many new lesions form and helps the illness run its course with less severity. By inhibiting viral DNA synthesis, the antiviral limits viral spread in the body, so fewer lesions develop and recovery can be quicker. It’s not a guaranteed 24-hour cure, and it doesn’t completely prevent transmission—kids can still spread the virus while shedding. It also isn’t primarily used just to relieve itching. So the option that describes decreasing the number of lesions best reflects the drug’s effect: reducing viral replication leads to fewer new lesions and a milder illness.