Which drug is often prescribed for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody specifically designed to prevent serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high-risk infants and young children. It is administered as an injection and functions by binding to the F protein of RSV, which inhibits the virus's ability to infect cells and helps to fortify the immune response against the virus.

While ribavirin is also used in the treatment of RSV, it is not the preferred option and is usually reserved for specific cases as it has broader antiviral activities and is associated with significant side effects. On the other hand, tenofovir and acyclovir are antiviral medications effective against other viruses (HIV and herpesviruses, respectively) and are not utilized for RSV treatment.

In summary, palivizumab stands out as the correct choice for RSV due to its targeted action and risk profile, making it the drug of choice when it comes to managing and preventing RSV complications in susceptible populations.