It has now been discovered that arsenic induces herpes viruses latent in infected cells to reactivate to the lytic stage. Herpes viruses in the lytic stage activate anti-herpes virus anti viral agents. Co-administration of arsenic compounds and anti-herpes viral agents to a population of cells infected with a herpes virus results in the death of the cells and inhibits proliferation of the virus. The invention is therefore useful for reducing a subjects population of cells infected with herpes viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus.
