Breakthrough Herpes Vaccine Shows 90% Efficacy in Mice, Human Trials Coming in 2022
Researchers from the Heinrich Pette Institute in Hamburg and the Max Planck Institute in Dresden have made a significant breakthrough in combating herpes. They've developed a vaccine that removed the HSV-1 virus by 90% in mice and plan to start human trials in 2022. This is a major step forward in managing this common infection, which affects billions worldwide.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common infection that can manifest in various parts of the body, most notably the mouth and genitals. There are two main types: HSV-1, typically transmitted through kissing or sharing utensils, causing oral herpes and cold sores; and HSV-2, usually spread through sexual contact, leading to genital herpes. The World Health Organization estimates that 67% of people under 50 have HSV-1, and 13% of those aged 15-49 have HSV-2.
Symptoms of a first herpes outbreak can appear 2 to 12 days after infection and may include fever, headaches, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Antiviral medications can help manage outbreaks and reduce transmission risk. However, there's no cure for herpes, making this new vaccine a promising development.
The upcoming human trials for the new herpes vaccine offer hope for better management of this widespread infection. If successful, it could significantly reduce the global impact of herpes, improving the lives of billions of people.
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