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Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) are closely related viruses that establish lifelong infection in their hosts and can periodically reactivate to cause painful lesions. Approximately 50 million Americans are infected with HSV-2, the primary cause of genital ulcerative disease. In addition to the pain of the physical symptoms, genital herpes is highly stigmatized and can cause significant reductions in quality of life. HSV-2 has been demonstrated to have a synergistic relationship with HIV, where it enhances the transmissibility, susceptibility and severity of disease. In addition, potentially life-threatening neonatal herpes occurs in about 1 in 10,000 live births. While there are known means of reducing the risk of transmission, the overwhelming majority of infected persons are unaware of their status, and they remain the driving force behind new infections. Virological tests, such as PCR, are ill suited for asymptomatic infections since the detectable virus is only shed on |
