Private MD News

Researchers develop vaccination for one form of herpes

Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

A team of researchers from St. Louis University may have made a significant advance towards a vaccine that is capable of protecting against one form of the herpes virus, according to a paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The report states that the vaccine is partially effective at preventing infections of the herpes 1 virus. This is the form of the infection that causes sores around the mouth. While the vaccine was not shown to be effective against herpes 2, the researchers said they believe their findings point them in the right direction.

"It's a big step along the path to creating an effective vaccine that protects against genital disease caused by herpes infection. It points us in the direction to work toward making a vaccine that works on both herpes simplex viruses," said lead researcher Robert Belshe.

Herpes 2 is the form that is responsible for lesions around the genitals. There is no known cure for the condition, which means that prevention is the best was to handle it. Given that it may still be a number of years before scientists are able to develop an effective vaccination against this form of the condition, herpes 2 testing will remain an important prevention tool.