Those afflicted usually unaware.

• Position: Herpes

It is a prevalent disease but nearly 90% of people infected do not know they have it. That is one of the sobering statistics associated with genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects one in five adults in the U.S. "It has been a big year for efforts in preventing and controlling herpes," observes Kevin Ault, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City.

"To advance prevention, there is [the 'Herpevac Trial for Women,' a joint project between the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline and the National Institutes of Health to investigate a potential vaccine for the prevention of the disease]. Earlier [in 2003, the Food and Drug Administration] approved an anti-herpes drug that is designed to prevent people with herpes from giving the disease to a partner who does not have it."

Genital herpes usually is caused by herpes simplex virus-2 and can affect the genital region, causing skin irritations of the anus, vagina, and penis. Oral herpes usually is caused by herpes simplex virus-1 and induces cold sores around the mouth. Most people with genital herpes--nearly nine of 10--do not know they have the virus because they are asymptomatic. This means that they have the disease but do not experience the sores and pain that severely can affect other people with herpes, or their...