Herpes is a viral infection caused due to the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The common symptoms observed are sores or blisters in and around the oral region or genital. Herpes has no cure.
There are two types of HSV;
1. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) causes oral herpes. It causes sores and blisters around the mouth and surrounding skin. It may cause genital herpes. It is transmitted through saliva (1).
2. Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) causes genital herpes. This is transmitted through sexual contact. This is the common HSV.
The WHO estimates about half a billion people have HSV-2, and several billion people suffer from oral herpes infection (2) (3). In this article, let’s learn why there is no cure for herpes, the progress in developing a cure, and the current treatment options.
What is Herpes, and What causes it?
The HSV is an infectious virus that can be transmitted from one person to another person through direct contact. Kids are more prone to HSV-1, who comes in contact with infected adults. Infected children carry the virus with them for the rest of their lives.
HSV-1 can be transmitted through;
- eating from the same utensils the infected person used
- sharing lip balm with an infected person
- Kissing an infected person
- Oral sex with an infected person (4)
HSV-2 can be transmitted through sexual contact with the person who has the infection. According to a study by the American Academy of Dermatology, 20% of sexually active adults in the United States have HSV-2 infection (5).
What Are The Symptoms of Herpes?
The person affected with HSV may develop primary symptoms, which include sores or blisters; along with this, you may develop pain, itching, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and fatigue. This condition is self-healing and generally heals without medicines.
In a study, 30% of people with oral herpes and 50% of those with genital herpes experience recurrence of symptoms. However, these symptoms are less severe and last for shorter intervals (6).
Currently, there is no cure for herpes. Few medicines can prevent or lessen the outbreak of herpes. Your healthcare provider may suggest some antivirals to reduce the recurrence of symptoms (7).
How is Herpes Diagnosed?
Generally, it is diagnosed by a physical exam; sometimes, your doctor may suggest HSV testing, which is known as a herpes culture.
Your healthcare provider may also suggest a blood test for antibodies of HSV-1 and HSV-2. This is suggested in case of mild infections and when there are no sores.
What are the Current Treatment Options?
Although there is no cure for herpes, some medicines help to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms. These medicines also reduce the spread of viruses. Most common antiviral medications used to treat herpes include;
- Acyclovir
- valacyclovir
- famciclovir
- Penciclovir
Acyclovir, an antiviral drug, was the first therapeutic agent to treat HSV infection. This is administered to immune-competent people. If you are suffering from skin and mucous membrane infections, including genital herpes, your health care provider may suggest this oral medicine (8).
For people who are immune-compromised or with severe infections, your physician may recommend intravenous (IV) acyclovir. It may have an impact on your central nervous system or GI tract.
In some cases, people who are under high stress or trauma can experience recurrence of herpes more frequently. In such cases, your healthcare provider may suggest counseling or psychotherapy (9).
Why is There No Cure for Herpes?
Herpes is a highly infectious, contagious, and transmissible disease caused by HSV. It is very challenging to design drugs for this disease because of the nature of the virus. Herpes virus can hide in human nerve cells for months or years before recurrence or reactivation of the infection. Although the antiviral drugs destroy the active viral infection, they won’t be able to destroy the hidden virus in the nerve cells. Hence the herpes cure is difficult.
The scientist needs to understand the mechanism of the virus that enables it to get attached to nerve cells. Maybe by preventing this mechanism, we can tackle the whole infection before the virus gets into a latent stage (10).
When the virus gets reactivated, it may not have clinical symptoms, and the asymptomatic patients can shed their viral load through the oral mucosa. The immune response and the viral output are essential during the recurrence of the HSV.
Can we Prevent HSV?
Although there is no cure for HSV, you can prevent getting HSV by maintaining and practicing healthy hygiene habits such as oral hygiene, genital hygiene, using dental gums and condoms during oral sex.
Patients with active symptoms such as sores, blisters should avoid oral contact with others. They must avoid sharing any objects that come in contact with saliva. They should also avoid oral sex (11).
Genital herpes patients may be asymptomatic at times, and you may have very light symptoms such as itchiness, small sore which goes off in a day or two. Hence it’s important to use condoms or oral gums. If you are experiencing genital herpes with sores and blisters, avoid having unprotected sex because it may spread rapidly to sexual partners (12).
If you are a pregnant woman and notice any symptoms of genital herpes, immediately seek help from your doctor, it may increase the risk of neonatal herpes.
Neonatal herpes is generally passed on from an infected mother to her fetus before, after, or immediately after delivery. Although it is rare, it may lead to severe consequences for the infant, such as damage to the liver, kidney, and lungs (13).
Current Research Regarding Vaccination and Cure
The HSV is more complex and more contagious than other infections. Hence, vaccine development has been a challenging task.
According to a recent study, the genetically modified vaccine of HSV has performed well. The genetically modified vaccine was studied on guinea pigs; it was observed that it had few genital lesions, fewer viral replications, and the viral load was less when compared to the existing vaccine (14).
The WHO recommends the need for an effective vaccine and drugs to treat and prevent HSV (15) (16).
Currently, a new drug candidate, pritelivir is undergoing clinical trials for HSV symptoms. Experts believe that it can be used as an alternative drug for acyclovir (17).
Many scientists across the globe are in search of potential vaccines. Currently, the development of the varicella-zoster virus and human papillomavirus are used for the development of the HSV vaccine and it is said that this vaccine is feasible (18).
The WHO also recommends some effective microbicides to treat HSV. Microbicides can be applied inside the vagina or rectum for the protection of HSV -2, which is sexually transmitted. This treatment comes in the form of cream, gel, film, or suppository (19).
Final Words
Herpes can affect the mouth and genital regions. Currently, there is no cure for the virus, although the existing treatment can reduce the symptoms and transmissibility of the disease.
Research is in full swing for vaccines and drug candidates that may cure herpes.