TREATMENT OF GENITAL HERPES

Polymerase chain reaction assays have provided evidence that viral rea ctivation in genital herpes may be more frequent than previously recog nized, Asymptomatic shedding, however, appears to be controllable thro ugh chronic antiviral suppression, Such an approach may prove benefici al in the future, for reducing both sexual transmission risks as well as the incidence of caesarean sections in patients with high rates of recurrence. Definitive trials providing adequate evidence to justify a change in medical practice, however, have not yet been published. Epi sodic therapy for recurrent disease has been advanced with the advent of two new antiviral prodrugs which provide improved dosing convenienc e. Both show an impact on symptomatic relief not previously demonstrat ed with acyclovir alone. Latency and reactivation have been shown to b e avoided with early famciclovir treatment in mice, Studies to determi ne if this effect can be achieved in humans are definitely warranted. Vaccines look promising as both therapeutic and preventative agents, a lthough initial treatment studies have not yet shown clear benefits.