On the herpes front

The virus that causes genital herpes affects 20 percent of the World's population. Among people with HIV, the incidence may be as high as 90 percent. All herpes viruses are formal candidates for the cofactor effect promoting HIV infection. People with unrecognized disease may account for many new cases. Only 20 percent of herpes seropositive persons recognize their herpes symptoms, 60 percent have unrecognized symptomatic disease, and 20 percent have subclinical, asymptomatic shedding of virus. Acyclovir shows promise of being effective in reducing herpes transmission, however, people with herpes should abstain from all sexual activity during symptomatic outbreaks, and at all other times use some sort of barrier protection. Acyclovir, in combination with AZT, is associated with survival benefits for people with AIDS, but new generations of antivirals may prove more effective in treating herpes. A post-infection vaccine, several of which are in development, may be even more promising.