A GADGET called Virulite invented by two North-East doctors could be the answer to a growing public health menace, it was claimed last night.

The virus which causes the common cold sore is relatively harmless as long as it is confined to the mouth.

But new research suggests that young people are increasingly passing on the virus through sex, leading to a growth in the number of young women developing genital herpes.

Genital herpes can be dangerous during childbirth, leading some gynaecologists to recommend Caesarian section rather than risk the baby coming into contact with infected tissue.

The research by Dr Frances Cowan of the Royal Free and University College Medical School in London, published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, concludes that cold sores are increasingly the cause of genital herpes and "strongly associated" with youngsters having sex at an early age.

Dr Cowan's research is based on blood samples and details of sexual behaviour from 869 people attending a London sexual health clinic and from 1494 blood donors.

She found that while the proportion of genital herpes caused by the cold sore virus (Herpes simplex virus type 1, or HSV-1) was rising in the UK, childhood acquisition of the virus is falling. At the same time several UK centres now report that the the cold sore virus is now the most common cause of genital herpes in young women.

Peterlee GP Dr Gordon Dougal, who has developed the revolutionary hand-held machine along with eye surgeon Jim Haslam from Darlington Memorial Hospital, predicted that Virulite could dramatically cut the spread of the virus.

"We know our product works although it will be a couple of years before we have proof. Once it is widely used I think it will be the first time a treatment has acted almost like a vaccination and eradicated the disease," said Dr Dougal, who is also an expert in electronic engineering. "If Virulite can clear up the virus and stop it coming back, no-one will be able to pass it on," he added.

Dr Cowan, said she was unfamiliar with Virulite but considered an anti-viral vaccine to be the best way forward.

"The most likely way that it will be possible to stop HSV spreading is through an effective vaccine. There is research underway trying to develop such a vaccine," she said.

For more information about Virulite ring 0800 0523939.