Vaccines to prevent herpes virus infections are currently being studied and it is felt that an effective vaccine may be available in three to five years. Vaccines will only function to prevent the infection from occurring in the first place—they won't likely help control flare-ups in patients who are already infected.
People who are infected with herpes can transmit the virus during periods where the virus is shedding, but there are no symptoms. Because of this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people with herpes who have a regular sex partner who is not infected with herpes may want to take suppressive treatment as an added precaution, in addition to consistent and correct condom use.
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