Persistence of Epstein-Barr Virus in Vivo

Inclusion Criteria

- INCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. 18 years of age or older and deemed healthy by current medical status and
laboratory tests.

2. Willing to be seen every three months for one year.

3. Have symptomatic recurrent genital herpes disease confirmed by their private
medical doctor.

4. Eligible for suppressive antiviral therapy for genital herpes disease: history
of genital herpes AND either a positive culture for HSV from the genital area or
a positive serology for HSV-2 from the patient's private physician. If the
subject does not have a positive HSV genital culture or HSV-2 serology, we will
confirm the diagnosis by an HSV-2 Western Blot.

5. Recurrence rate between 3 and 9 recurrences a year.

6. Have never taken or have been off HSV suppressive therapy for three months prior
to entering study.

7. In opinion of investigator, subjects must be able to comply with protocol
requirements.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. Subjects who are known or suspected to be immunocompromised. This includes subjects
receiving immunosuppressive therapy, subjects with malignancy or subjects who
acknowledge being seropositive for HIV.

2. Subjects with a history of 10 or more HSV recurrences per year.

3. Impaired real function as defined by serum creatine greater than 1.5 mg/dl (133uM).

4. Impaired hepatic function as defined by an alanine transaminase (ALT) level greater
than 3 times the normal upper limit.

5. Known hypersensitivity to acyclovir, valaciclovir, famciclovir, or ganciclovir.

6. Malabsorption syndrome or other gastro-intestinal dysfunction that might impair drug
dynamics.

7. Women contemplating pregnancy within the year's duration of receiving valaciclovir
from us.

8. Women of child bearing potential not using an effective method of contraception.
Effective contraception is use of birth control pills or use of a barrier method
(e.g. condom) with a spermicide.

9. Positive pregnancy test (or pregnant females or nursing mothers).

10. Swallowing disorders which would make gargling difficult.