In a study appearing in the December 20 issue of JAMA , Anna Wald, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Washington & Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, and colleagues compared the medications pritelivir and valacyclovir for reducing genital herpes simplex virus shedding and lesions in persons with recurrent genital herpes. The treatment for genital herpes simplex virus infections relies on the nucleoside analogues acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir administered either for each recurrence or daily to prevent recurrences.