An experiment to see if treating genital herpes with a common drug could dramatically reduce susceptibility to HIV infection failed - a shocking setback for researchers hoping to find a pill that would slow the spread of the AIDS epidemic.

Circumcising men reduces the chance they and their wives will catch genital infections that may spur HIV's spread, researchers said today at a meeting in Boston.

An experimental sex lubricant designed by Australian researchers could help block both HIV and genital herpes, a study suggests. Tests on lab animals have shown that the microbicide gel, called Viva Gel, inactivates the HIV virus and another responsible for genital herpes.