Preventing Herpes

Jennifer Mathews: Every day, more than 200 Americans are diagnosed with genital herpes. Dr. Thomas Heineman: About one in four adults over the age of 30 has been infected with the virus that causes genital herpes. Some people become infected and never know they're infected. Jennifer Mathews: Dr. Thomas Heinemann says that's one reason the infection is such a problem. Dr. Thomas Heineman: Even people with undiagnosed or asymptomatic herpes can spread it to people who've never been infected, and those people can then have symptoms. Jennifer Mathews: He's hoping to reduce the number of cases with a vaccine made from a protein that is part of the herpes virus. It stimulates the body's immune response to the virus. Dr. Thomas Heineman: This vaccine may prove to be the first vaccine of any sort to prevent a sexually transmitted disease. Jennifer Mathews: Early studies suggest it only works in women and that it's effective 75% of the time. Today, Rachel Heacox is getting her third and final shot to be fully vaccinated. She's glad to be part of this research. Rachel Heacox:Right now, there is no cure for it, so it's important to find a vaccination in order to prevent the spread of the disease. I think it would just give you the peace of mind that you won't contract something that cannot be cured and that you could spread to others. Jennifer Mathews: Dr. Heineman is helpful. Dr. Thomas Heineman: It's a lot of fun to be able to participate in these big studies where you actually have a sense that what you're doing makes a difference. Jennifer Mathews: This is Jennifer Mathews reporting. Jennifer Mathews: Every day, more than 200 Americans are diagnosed with genital herpes. Dr. Thomas Heineman: About one in four adults over the age of 30 has been infected with the virus that causes genital herpes. Some people become infected and never know they're infected. Jennifer Mathews: Dr. Thomas Heinemann says that's one reason the infection is such a problem. Dr. Thomas Heineman: Even people with undiagnosed or asymptomatic herpes can spread it to people who've never been infected, and those people can then have symptoms. Jennifer Mathews: He's hoping to reduce the number of cases with a vaccine made from a protein that is part of the herpes virus. It stimulates the body's immune response to the virus. Dr. Thomas Heineman: This vaccine may prove to be the first vaccine of any sort to prevent a sexually transmitted disease. Jennifer Mathews: Early studies suggest it only works in women and that it's effective 75% of the time. Today, Rachel Heacox is getting her third and final shot to be fully vaccinated. She's glad to be part of this research. Rachel Heacox:Right now, there is no cure for it, so it's important to find a vaccination in order to prevent the spread of the disease. I think it would just give you the peace of mind that you won't contract something that cannot be cured and that you could spread to others. Jennifer Mathews: Dr. Heineman is helpful. Dr. Thomas Heineman: It's a lot of fun to be able to participate in these big studies where you actually have a sense that what you're doing makes a difference. Jennifer Mathews: This is Jennifer Mathews reporting.