Antiviral medications, such as Acyclovir and Valacyclovir, are reserved for individuals at high risk of developing severe chickenpox or complications. For a generally healthy child, the benefits of these drugs are considered too small to justify the prescription, as their illness is typically mild and self-limiting. However, for high-risk groups—including adults, adolescents over 12, pregnant women, individuals with compromised immune systems (from cancer, HIV, or medication), and newborns—these antivirals are crucial. They work by inhibiting the virus's ability to replicate.
To be most effective, treatment must be started within 24 hours of the rash first appearing. When used this way in high-risk patients, it can make a significant difference by reducing the number of lesions, shortening the duration of fever and illness by about one day, and, most importantly, lowering the risk of serious complications like pneumonia. While it's not a cure, it is a valuable tool for managing the severity of the disease in vulnerable populations.