Which drug among the following is used to treat herpetic infections?

Zidovudine is an antiretroviral medication that is primarily used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections; however, it is not utilized for treating herpetic infections. The correct drug for treating herpetic infections is acyclovir, which is an antiviral agent specifically designed to combat herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Acyclovir works by inhibiting viral DNA synthesis, effectively reducing the severity and duration of herpetic outbreaks.

Ribavirin is used primarily in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and some viral hemorrhagic fevers, while rifampin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections such as tuberculosis. Oseltamivir is an antiviral drug used for treating influenza virus infections. Understanding the specific indications for these antiviral and antibiotic medications is crucial, as they have different mechanisms of action and target different pathogens.