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Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection has become very common in the United States. Infection is transmitted to sexual partners and neonates not only when herpetic lesions are present, but also through secretions when there is no obvious infection. Acyclovir is known to suppress symptomatic shedding of genital herpes, but its effect on subclinical shedding has not been determined. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial evaluated whether acyclovir suppresses subclinical shedding.
Thirty-four immunocompetent women with genital herpes of less than two years' duration and antibody to HSV type 2 only were enrolled. The women received either 400 mg of oral acyclovir twice daily for 70 days, followed by a 14-day washout period…