The virus is carried by half a billion people worldwide - the disease can be controlled, but it is hard to stop it spreading to others through sex.
This topical treatment, which has so far been tested only on mice, stops the virus from replicating in a new host.
The research appears in the journal Cell Host and Microbe.
The type-2 herpes simplex virus is sexually transmitted and can cause painful, fluid-filled blisters to develop.
It can also be passed from mother to child during childbirth, putting the infant at risk of brain damage and even death if left untreated.
The cream, developed at Harvard Medical School, uses a technique called RNA interference, which stops the genes the virus needs to replicate from working properly."One of the attractive features of the compound we developed is that it creates in the tissue a state that's resistant to infection, even if applied up to a week before sexual exposure," said Professor Judy Lieberman, who led the research.
"This aspect has a real practicality to it. If we can reproduce these results in people, this could have a powerful impact on preventing transmission."
Which brings me to another issue... obviously the medical "science" PTB, KNOW that gene expression can be manipulated... obviously diet, lifestyle and environment "manipulate" gene expression... of course they do NOT want the average layperson to know this; they may become more responsible for their own health!
More...http://www.daylife.com/article/0bIO4KBaV03Jt