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Approximately 22% of adults in the U.S. have antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and can transmit the virus sexually even when they have no symptoms of genital infection, resulting in an estimated 1.6 million new HSV-2 infections annually. In this randomized, multicenter, manufacturer-sponsored trial, investigators examined the efficacy of valacyclovir for inhibiting the spread of HSV-2 infections from an infected partner to a seronegative partner in monogamous, immunocompetent, heterosexual couples. Of patients with HSV-2 infection, 743 received 500 mg of valacyclovir daily, and 741 received placebo.
HSV-2 infection was detected in 3.6% (2.2% symptomatic) of partners of placebo recipients versus 1.9% of partners of valacyclovi…