A nucleoside analogue compound is provided which has a six-membered aromatic ring system, the aromatic ring system being substituted in the para position with an unbranched unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy moiety, wherein the alkyl or alkoxy moiety, in total, has from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. This compound shows anti-vira1 activity, for example with respect to varicella zoster virus and can thus be used in therapeutic methods for the prophylaxis and treatment of viral infections such as varicella zoster virus.