Herpes drug inhibits HIV in patients infected with both viruses

Researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), McGill University have discovered how a simple anti-viral drug developed decades ago suppresses HIV in patients who are also infected with herpes. According to Dr Gotte, HIV/herpes co-infection rates are very high and carry significant health burdens for those patients who are already coping with HIV. "In co-infected individuals, HIV disease progression is enhanced by the presence of herpes," he explained. The NIH team discovered that in the presence of herpes virus, acyclovir actually attacks HIV directly and is able to suppress its reproduction.