Antivirals in the prevention of genital herpes

Genital herpes remains one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Despite best efforts to prevent sexually transmitted diseases in the era of AIDS, the incidence of genital herpes continues to rise, and evidence that herpes simplex virus type 2 is a significant cofactor in the transmission of HIV infection is mounting. Because of the common psychosocial consequences of genital herpes transmission, prevention modalities against transmission of genital herpes are urgently required from both personal and public health perspectives. Most discordant couples are either unaware of genital herpes in one partner or unaware of clinical activity of the virus during sexual exposure that results in transmission. Yet, the body of evidence available suggests that the antiviral drugs currently used in the treatment of genital herpes are effective in suppressing asymptomatic virus shedding and, thus, could play a future role in reducing transmission. The first study to examine that possibility has recently been made public.