A new study has found that a widely used drug called Acyclovir for managing herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) does not help in cutting down the risk of HIV transmission in people who are infected with both HIV and HSV-2.

Immune cells called E CD4 T, which are cells to the genital area, are ttracted by the herpes virus. These cells are used by HIV to pass the infection.

The study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, was conducted in eastern and southern African countries that include Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

The research followed more than 3,400 African couples. In these couples one partner was infected with HIV.

Those who took acyclovir had about 41 infections and those who were given a placebo had 43 infections. This was not a major difference.

Earlier findings stated that through treatment for the herpes virus it was possible to reduce HIV levels in the blood and genital tract but nothing could be established about a reduction in HIV transmission.