The present invention is directed to methods and compositions relating to the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections and the screening of compounds for activity that inhibit or promoter viral latency. The previously identified ORF P gene product now has been shown to interact with certain eukaryotic splicing factors and, in a cell infected with a herpesvirus containing a derepressed ORF P gene, ORF P can limit the splicing of at least two viral products. Given this function, it now is possible to screen for inhibitors and inducers of ORF P and, further, provide methods for maintaining and preventing viral latency.