HSV-2 causes most cases of genital herpes, a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that causes recurrent outbreaks of sores in and around the genitals.
There is no cure for genital herpes, and HSV-2 remains in the body for life, though there are drugs that can suppress the virus and prevent future outbreaks of symptoms. However, people can still transmit the virus to their sexual partners during symptom-free periods.
Dr. Anna Wald of the University of Washington in Seattle and the lead author of the new study was able to demonstrate that condom use effectively prevented the transmission of the disease for both genders.
"This is the first study to show it's effective in both women and men."
