Anti-HIV Gel Tenofovir Also Guards Against Herpes

A gel that was praised by the science community in its ability to reduce the rate of HIV transmission through sexual contact can also prevent the transmission of herpes, according to a study.

Tenofovir does not offer complete protection against sexually transmitted infections, but the gel showed a 39% reduction against HIV. It was later discovered that the gel disrupts and enzyme that allows for herpes replication. The pill form of Tenofovir still does not have an effect on herpes.

A 2010 study in South Africa shows that Tenofovir cut the rate of herpes infection by 51%. Among women who used the gel consistently, there was a 54% protection rate against HIV, and a 64% protection rate against herpes, according to Jezebel. A followup study showed that in controlled laboratory cultures, Tenofovir can reduce herpes viral levels by 99%.