Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of six people, 14 to 49 years of age, is infected with genital herpes. Women are more commonly infected than men, and in the United States, one out of five women has genital herpes.
NIAID Research on Genital Herpes
NIAID supports research on genital herpes and herpes simplex virus (HSV). Studies are underway to develop better treatments for the millions of people who suffer from genital herpes. While some scientists are carrying out clinical trials to determine the best way to use existing medicines, others are studying the biology of HSV. NIAID scientists have identified certain genes and enzymes (proteins) that the virus needs to survive. They are hopeful that drugs aimed at disrupting these viral targets might lead to the design of more effective treatments.
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