UF medical, pharmaceutical and veterinary students and hospital employeesare doing the research. Participants in the study are required to submit blood work that screens for antibodies for HIV and herpes. National statistics show one in four adults has contracted herpes in some form, one-third of which will suffer recurring infections throughout their lives. Herpes is transmitted by direct contact and has two forms, oral and genital.
Oral herpes is marked by cold sores on the mouth.
Genital herpes develops into a small clusters of blisters and flu-like symptoms. Although there is no cure for herpes, the vaccine would prevent people without the virus from contracting it. Telling someone you really like that you have herpes is not an easy thing. I doubt the development of this vaccine will make that any easier. The vaccine is made of one protein from the herpes virus and two substances that enhance the body's immune response.