ANTIVIRAL DRUGS IN HEALTHY-CHILDREN

Several antiviral agents are available to treat viral illnesses in hea lthy children. In some children, treatment with acyclovir is an altern ative to vaccination for the treatment and prevention of chickenpox. A cyclovir also can be useful in the treatment or prevention of herpes s implex infections in neonates. Ribavirin, once recommended as routine therapy for high-risk infants with respiratory syncytial virus disease , is now reserved for use in selected children. Amantadine and rimanti dine are effective against influenza type A and can be used to protect children from influenza, as well as to lessen the duration and severi ty of illness in those who are already ill.