A study of 3,300 patients in Africa found that an anti-HSV2 drug called acyclovir reduced the risk of HIV progression by 16%. A common treatment for herpes can delay the need for HIV drugs in people with both infections as this cheap treatment keeps people with HIV stay healthy for longer.

The researchers from the University of Washington, Seattle, concentrated on people infected with HIV-1, as it is known that most people who are infected with HIV-1 are also infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2).

Those in the trial were monitored for two years and were given a twice dose of acyclovir daily. The drug also resulted in a 19% drop in the CD4 count among participants whose immune system was in a superior shape.

The study revealed that 284 people on aciclovir had started taking HIV medication.

But the use of aciclovir treatment did not reduce HIV transmission to their heterosexual partners.

Study leader, Dr Jairam Lingappa, said, "While the HIV disease ameliorating effect we have observed is modest, it could add one more tool to help people with HIV infection stay healthy for longer".

It was concluded that Herpes treatment may provide an additional option for individuals who have not reached medical thresholds for initiating antiretroviral therapy.